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Yu Y, Zhang X, Nitsche MA, Vicario CM, Qi F. Does a single session of transcranial direct current stimulation enhance both physical and psychological performance in national- or international-level athletes? A systematic review. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1365530. [PMID: 38962069 PMCID: PMC11220198 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1365530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Some studies showed that a single session of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has the potential of modulating motor performance in healthy and athletes. To our knowledge, previously published systematic reviews have neither comprehensively investigated the effects of tDCS on athletic performance in both physical and psychological parameters nor investigated the effects of tDCS on high-level athletes. We examined all available research testing a single session of tDCS on strength, endurance, sport-specific performance, emotional states and cognitive performance for better application in competition and pre-competition trainings of national- or international-level athletes. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Embase, and Scopus up until to June 2023. Studies were eligible when participants had sports experience at a minimum of state and national level competitions, underwent a single session of tDCS without additional interventions, and received either sham tDCS or no interventions in the control groups. A total of 20 experimental studies (224 participants) were included from 18 articles. The results showed that a single tDCS session improved both physical and psychological parameters in 12 out of the 18 studies. Of these, six refer to the application of tDCS on the motor system (motor cortex, premotor cortex, cerebellum), five on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and two on temporal cortex. The most sensitive to tDCS are strength, endurance, and emotional states, improved in 67%, 75%, and 75% of studies, respectively. Less than half of the studies showed improvement in sport-specific tasks (40%) and cognitive performance (33%). We suggest that tDCS is an effective tool that can be applied to competition and pre-competition training to improve athletic performance in national- or international-level athletes. Further research would explore various parameters (type of sports, brain regions, stimulation protocol, athlete level, and test tasks) and neural mechanistic studies in improving efficacy of tDCS interventions. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022326989, identifier CRD42022326989.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yu
- Key Laboratory of Sport Training of General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
- Sports, Exercise and Brain Sciences Laboratory, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinbi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Sport Training of General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
- Sports, Exercise and Brain Sciences Laboratory, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Michael A. Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
- University Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, University Hospital OWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Carmelo M. Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Fengxue Qi
- Key Laboratory of Sport Training of General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
- Sports, Exercise and Brain Sciences Laboratory, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
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Sun H, Geok Soh K, Mohammadi A, Toumi Z. The counteractive effects of interventions addressing mental fatigue on sport-specific performance among athletes: A systematic review with a meta-analysis. J Sports Sci 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38368626 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2317633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The deleterious consequences of mental fatigue (MF) on athletes in diverse sporting domains have been subject to extensive inquiry. However, the efficacy of interventions to counteract the effects of MF remains largely elusive. This review aims to evaluate the effects of counteractive interventions on the sport-specific performance of mentally fatigued athletes. Moreover, synthesizes the current evidence on which sports effectively counter the detrimental effects of MF with interventions, highlighting potential avenues for upcoming research. A systematic search was executed via Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and EBSCOhost, in addition to Google Scholar and references for grey literature. A meta-analysis was executed to compute effect sizes for different interventions with 13 qualified papers. Interventions include transcranial direct current stimulation, person-fit, mindfulness, glucose supplementation, caffeine mouth rinsing, and nature exposure showed potential to mitigate the detrimental effects on sport-specific performance, particularly in shooting accuracy (ES = 0.591; p = 0.001), decision-making accuracy (ES = 0.553; p = 0.006), and reaction time (ES = -0.871; p < 0.001), however, not in completion time (ES = -0.302; p = 0.182). This review underscores the unique roles of self-regulatory resources and directed attention. Nonetheless, a cautious interpretation of the findings is warranted given the paucity of investigations involving potential interventions in numerous other sports, such as volleyball, Australian football, cricket, and boxing.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Sun
- School of Physical Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
| | - Kim Geok Soh
- Department of Sport Studies, Faculty of Education Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Alireza Mohammadi
- Faculty of Business Management, City University Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zakaria Toumi
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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Sun H, Soh KG, Mohammadi A, Toumi Z, Zhang L, Ding C, Gao X, Tian J. Counteracting mental fatigue for athletes: a systematic review of the interventions. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:67. [PMID: 38336843 PMCID: PMC10854164 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01476-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The deleterious effects of mental fatigue (MF) on athletes have been carefully studied in various sports, such as soccer, badminton, and swimming. Even though many researchers have sought ways to ameliorate the negative impact of MF, there is still a lack of studies that review the interventions used to counteract MF among athletes. This review aims to report the current evidence exploring the effects of interventions on MF and sport-specific performance, including sport-specific motor performance and perceptual-cognitive skills. Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and SPORTDicus (EBSCOhost) were combed through to find relevant publications. Additionally, the references and Google Scholar were searched for any grey literature. For the current review, we included only randomized controlled trials that involved athletes, a primary task to induce MF, interventions to counter MF with comparable protocols, and the outcomes of sport-specific motor performance and perceptual-cognitive skill. The selection criteria resulted in the inclusion of 10 articles. The manipulations of autonomous self-control exertion, person-fit, nature exposure, mindfulness, and transactional direct current stimulation showed that positive interventions counteract MF and improve sport-specific performance in different domains, including strength, speed, skill, stamina, and perceptual-cognitive skills. The selected interventions could significantly counteract MF and improve subsequent sport-specific performance. Moreover, self-regulation and attention resources showed the importance of the potential mechanisms behind the relevant interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Sun
- School of Physical Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Kim Geok Soh
- Department of Sport Studies, Faculty of Education Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Alireza Mohammadi
- Faculty of Business Management, City University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zakaria Toumi
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Department of Sport Studies, Faculty of Education Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- The National Football Academy, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
| | - Cong Ding
- Department of Sport Studies, Faculty of Education Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Xiaojuan Gao
- School of Physical Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jian Tian
- School of Physical Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
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Sex Differences in Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training Effects and in Brain Processing of Semi-Elite Basketball Players. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030443. [PMID: 36979254 PMCID: PMC10046054 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current study, we aimed at evaluating the possible sex differences in cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) effects on the sport and cognitive performance of semi-elite basketball athletes. Moreover, we investigated the CMDT effects on proactive brain processing using event-related potential (ERP) analysis. Fifty-two young basketball athletes (age 16.3 years) were randomly assigned into an experimental (Exp) group performing the CMDT, and a control (Con) group executing standard motor training. Before and after a 5-week training intervention, participants’ motor performance was evaluated using dribbling tests. Cognitive performance was assessed by measuring response time and accuracy in a discrimination response task (DRT). Brain activity related to motor and cognitive preparation was measured through the Bereitschaftspotential (BP) and the prefrontal negativity (pN) ERP components. The CMDT involved the simultaneous execution of dribbling exercises and cognitive tasks which were realized using interactive technologies on the court. Results showed that both groups had some enhancements from pre- to post-tests, but only the Exp group enhanced in the dribbling exercise. In the DRT after the CMDT, females performed faster than males in the Exp group. All groups, except for the Con group of males, performed the DRT more accurately after the training. According to the ERP results, in the Exp group of males and in Exp and Con group of females, we found an increase in pN amplitude (associated with better accuracy); in the Exp group of females and in Exp and Con group of males, we found an increase in BP (associated with better response time). In conclusion, the present study endorsed the efficacy of the proposed CMDT protocol on both the sport and cognitive performance of semi-elite basketball players and showed that the neural basis of these benefits may be interpreted as sex-related compensatory effects.
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Perrey S. Probing the Promises of Noninvasive Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Boosting Mental Performance in Sports. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13020282. [PMID: 36831825 PMCID: PMC9954379 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
While the importance of physical abilities is noncontested to perform in elite sport, more focus has recently been turned toward cognitive processes involved in sport performance. Practicing any sport requires a high demand of cognitive functioning including, but not limited to, decision-making, processing speed, working memory, perceptual processing, motor functioning, and attention. Noninvasive transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) has recently attracted considerable scientific interest due to its ability to modulate brain functioning. Neuromodulation apparently improves cognitive functions engaged in sports performance. This opinion manuscript aimed to reveal that tES is likely an adjunct ergogenic resource for improving cognitive processes, counteracting mental fatigue, and managing anxiety in elite athletes. Nevertheless, the first evidence is insufficient to guarantee its real effectiveness and benefits. All tES techniques could be add-ons to make performance-related cognitive functions more efficient and obtain better results. Modulating inhibitory control through tES over the frontal cortex might largely contribute to the improvement of mental performance. Nevertheless, studies in elite athletes are required to assess the long-term effects of tES application as an ergogenic aid in conjunction with other training methods (e.g., neurofeedback, mental imagery) where cognitive abilities are trainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane Perrey
- EuroMov Digital Health in Motion, Univ Montpellier, IMT Mines Ales, 34090 Montpellier, France
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