Short-Term Effects of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Endurance and Maximal Force Production. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Anodal tDCS improves neuromuscular adaptations to short-term resistance training of the knee extensors in healthy individuals

Experimental studies show improvement in physical performance following acute application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). This study examined the neuromuscular and neural responses to a single training session (Part 1) and following a 3 wk resistance training program (Part 2) performed with the knee extensors, preceded by tDCS over the primary motor cortex. Twenty-four participants (age, 30 ± 7 yr; stature, 172 ± 8 cm; mass, 72 ± 15 kg) were randomly allocated to perform either resistance training with anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) or a placebo tDCS (Sham). Resistance training consisted of 3 × 10 isometric contractions of 3 s at 75% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Measures of neuromuscular function (MVC, voluntary activation, and potentiated twitch force), corticospinal excitability, along with short and long cortical inhibition were assessed. Acute tDCS did not affect neuromuscular and neural responses to a single training session (all P ≥ 0.10). Conversely, after the 3 wk training program, MVC increased in both groups (P < 0.01) with a greater increase observed for a-tDCS vs. Sham (∼6%, P = 0.04). Additionally, increased voluntary activation (∼2%, P = 0.04) and corticospinal excitability (∼22%, P = 0.04), accompanied by a shorter silent period (-13%, P = 0.04) were found after a-tDCS vs. Sham. The potentiated twitch force and measures of short and long cortical inhibition did not change after the training program (all P ≥ 0.29). Pretraining administration of tDCS only resulted in greater neuromuscular adaptations following 3 wk of resistance training. These results provide new evidence that tDCS facilitates adaptations to resistance training in healthy individuals.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The initial increase in maximal strength during resistance training is attributed to neural adaptations. Acute administration of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to improve motor function and neural adaptations in healthy and clinical populations. This study measured the neuromuscular and neural response to acute (single training session) and short-term (3 wk) resistance training with tDCS. Greater neuromuscular and neural adaptations were only found following 3 wk of resistance training.

Effect of repeated sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation on subjective and objective measures of recovery and performance in soccer players following a soccer match simulation

We investigated the effect of repeated sessions of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) on subjective and objective measures of recovery, cognitive and sport-specific performance in professional soccer players following a soccer match simulation (SMS). Sixteen soccer players participated in this randomized, crossover, and sham-controlled study. They completed baseline assessments of well-being, total quality recovery (TQR), electromyographic activity (EMG) of the thigh muscles, countermovement jump (CMJ), and cognitive and Loughborough soccer passing test (LSPT) skills. Then, the participants engaged in an SMS routine (2 × 45 min, 15-min intervals). There was no significant difference in rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during the SMS in the anodal (17.25 ± 0.85) and sham (16.93 ± 0.92) conditions (p = 0.19). Following the SMS, the participants were randomized to receive three sessions of a-tDCS (2 mA, 20 min, +F3/-F4) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or sham immediately after, 24 h, and 48 h after the SMS. Finally, the same outcome measures were evaluated 24 and 48 h following the SMS. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed that a-tDCS stimulation improved passing skills (decreased time to perform the LSPT and number of errors; all ps < 0.01; d = 0.56-2.9) and increased the feeling of well-being (p = 0.02; d = 2.8), with no effect on TQR, cognitive performance, CMJ performance, and EMG. Therefore, the results of the present study indicate, for the first time, that repeated a-tDCS could be used as an adjunct method to accelerate soccer players' well-being and technical performance recovery, particularly after congested matches and/or training sessions. These findings may also be applicable to other team sports with characteristics similar to soccer (e.g., futsal, handball, basketball, etc.).

Acute Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with High-Load Resistance Exercises on Repetitive Vertical Jump Performance and EEG Characteristics in Healthy Men

BACKGROUND

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive technique known to enhance athletic performance metrics such as vertical jump and lower limb strength. However, it remains unclear whether combining tDCS with the post-activation effects of high-load resistance training can further improve lower limb performance.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the synergistic effects of tDCS and high-load resistance training, using electroencephalography to explore changes in the motor cortex and vertical jump dynamics.

METHODS

Four experiments were conducted involving 29 participants. Each experiment included tDCS, high-load resistance training, tDCS combined with high-load resistance training, and a control condition. During the tDCS session, participants received 20 min of central stimulation using a Halo Sport 2 headset, while the high-load resistance training session comprised five repetitions of a 90% one-repetition maximum weighted half squat. No intervention was administered in the control group. Electroencephalography tests were conducted before and after each intervention, along with the vertical jump test.

RESULTS

The combination of tDCS and high-load resistance training significantly increased jump height (p < 0.05) compared to tDCS or high-load resistance training alone. As for electroencephalography power, tDCS combined with high-load resistance training significantly impacted the percentage of α-wave power in the frontal lobe area (F3) of the left hemisphere (F = 6.33, p < 0.05). In the temporal lobe area (T3) of the left hemisphere, tDCS combined with high-load resistance training showed a significant interaction effect (F = 6.33, p < 0.05). For β-wave power, tDCS showed a significant main effect in the frontal pole area (Fp1) of the left hemisphere (F = 17.65, p < 0.01). In the frontal lobe area (F3) of the left hemisphere, tDCS combined with high-load resistance training showed a significant interaction effect (F = 7.53, p < 0.05). The tDCS combined with high-load resistance training intervention also resulted in higher β-wave power in the parietal lobe area (P4) and the temporal lobe area (T4) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and high-load resistance training significantly enhances vertical jump performance compared to either intervention alone. This improvement is associated with changes in the α-wave and β-wave power in specific brain regions, such as the frontal and temporal lobes. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms and long-term effects of this combined intervention.

Zapping the brain to enhance sport performance? An umbrella review of the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on physical performance

Concepts such as "neurodoping" have contributed to an expansion in the area of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and its impact over physical performance in recent years. This umbrella review examines meta-analyses to evaluate tDCS's impact on exercise performance in healthy individuals. We identified 9 meta-analyses that met our inclusion criteria, encompassing 50 crossover studies and 683 participants. Like previous meta-analyses, we found a small but significant effect across individual studies (gz = 0.28, 95%CI [0.18, 0.39]). However, we also found clear evidence of publication bias, low power and substantial variability in methodological decisions. The average effect became non-significant after accounting for publication bias (grm = 0.10, 95%CrI [-0.04, 0.20], BF10 = 0.99), and a specification curve analysis showed that the final effect could range from g = -0.23 to g = 0.33, depending on decisions such as the formula used for estimating the effect size and multiple additional analytic steps. Overall, our findings suggest that current evidence does not conclusively support acute tDCS as an exercise performance enhancer.

The acute effects of motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation on athletic performance in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses independently the acute effects of anodal and cathodal motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on athletic performance in healthy adults. Besides, it evaluates the unique and conjoint effects of potential moderators (i.e., stimulation parameters, exercise type, subjects' training status and risk of bias). Online database search was performed from inception until March 18th 2024 (PROSPERO: CRD42023355461). Forty-three controlled trials were included in the systematic review, 40 in the anodal tDCS meta-analysis (68 effects), and 9 (11 effects) in the cathodal tDCS meta-analysis. Performance enhancement between pre- and post-stimulation was the main outcome measure considered. The anodal tDCS effects on physical performance were small to moderate (g = .29, 95%CI [.18, .40], PI = -.64 to 1.23, I2 = 64.0%). Exercise type, training status and use of commercial tDCS were significant moderators of the results. The cathodal tDCS effects were null (g = .04, 95%CI [-.05, .12], PI = -.14 to .23, I2 = 0%), with a small to moderate heterogeneity entirely due to sampling error, thus impairing further moderator analysis. These findings hold significant implications for the field of brain stimulation and physical performance, as they not only demonstrate a small to moderate effect of acute tDCS but also identify specific categories of individuals, devices and activities that are more susceptible to improvements. By addressing the multidimensional factors influencing the mechanisms of tDCS, we also provide suggestions for future research.

Effects of repeated unihemispheric concurrent dual-site tDCS and virtual reality games on motor coordination of sedentary adolescent girls

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the effects of repetitive unihemispheric concurrent dual-site anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCSUHCDS) associated with the use of virtual reality games (VR) on the motor coordination of sedentary adolescent girls.

METHODS

Thirty-six inactive adolescent girls were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 12 per group): (1) VR + a-tDCSUHCDS, (2) VR + sham-tDCSUHCDS, and (3) Control. The VR + a-tDCSUHCDS and VR + s-tDCSUHCDS groups received the intervention three times a week for four weeks. In each experimental session, participants first received either 20 min of a-tDCSUHCDS (2 mA at each anodal electrode) targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or sham and then performed VR for 1 h. The control group received no intervention. Eye-hand coordination (EHC) and bimanual coordination (BC) were measured at baseline, post-intervention, and two weeks later (retention test) using the automatic scoring mirror tracer and continuous two-arm coordination test, respectively.

RESULTS

Results showed that the EHC was significantly higher in the VR + a-tDCS and VR + s-tDCS groups at post-intervention (all ps< 0.001) and the retention test (all ps< 0.001) compared to the control group. Moreover, the EHC was significantly higher in the VR + a-tDCS group compared to the VR + s-tDCS group (p = 0.024) at the retention. Similarly, VR + a-tDCS and VR + s-tDCS improved BC compared to the control group at post-intervention (all ps< 0.001) and retention test (all ps< 0.001). In addition, higher BC was observed in the VR + a-tDCS group compared to the VR + s-tDCS group (p< 0.001) at the retention test.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that adding a-tDCSUHCDS to VR over 12 sessions may have an additional effect on VR training for improving and retaining motor coordination in sedentary adolescent girls.

Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with Balance Training in a Middle-Aged Population: Randomized Double-Blind Sham-Controlled Trial

Introduction: The first signs of deteriorated balance impairment begin during middle age. Early intervention could delay the fall risk in older populations; hence, addressing balance deficits during this age is crucial. The authors aimed to determine the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with balance training (BT) on the improvement of static and dynamic balance in a middle-aged population, along with the participants' safety and satisfaction. Methods: Participants (n = 28) were randomized into two groups: active tDCS (active tDCS + BT) and sham tDCS (sham tDCS + BT). Both groups received the intervention thrice a week for 6 weeks. Dynamic and static balance were assessed by sway rate changes with eyes open and closed, and the functional reach test and a postintervention survey were conducted to assess participants' safety and satisfaction. Results: The active tDCS group showed significantly greater static and dynamic balance improvements in sway scores. The surveys demonstrated the safety of the program and satisfaction of 80% of the participants with the combined intervention. Conclusion: tDCS could be used in a middle-aged population as part of regular BT to improve balance and minimize the risk of balance deficits in older populations while ensuring patient safety and satisfaction. This study is a subanalysis of a larger clinical trial that included young adults as well (Clinical trial number: KCT0007414).

Does a single session of transcranial direct current stimulation enhance both physical and psychological performance in national- or international-level athletes? A systematic review

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.

The impact of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation on isometric bench press performance in trained athletes

Athletic development centers on optimizing performance, including technical skills and fundamental motor abilities such as strength and speed. Parameters such as maximum contraction force and rate of force development, influence athletic success, although performance gains become harder to achieve as athletic abilities increase. Non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation of the cerebellum (CB-tDCS) has been used successfully to increase force production in novices, although the potential effects in athletes remain unexplored. The present study examined the effects of CB-tDCS on maximum isometric voluntary contraction force (MVCiso) and isometric rate of force development (RFDiso) during a bench press task in well-trained athletes. 21 healthy, male, strength-trained athletes participated in a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blinded crossover design. Each participant completed the isometric bench press (iBP) task on two separate days, with at least 5 days between sessions, while receiving either CB-tDCS or sham stimulation. Electromyography (EMG) recordings of three muscles involved in iBP were acquired bilaterally to uncover differences in neuromuscular activation and agonist-antagonist co-contraction between conditions. Contrary to our hypothesis, no significant differences in MVCiso and RFDiso were observed between CB-tDCS and sham conditions. Furthermore, no tDCS-induced differences in neuromuscular activation or agonist-antagonist co-contraction were revealed. Here, we argue that the effects of CB-tDCS on force production appear to depend on the individual's training status. Future research should study individual differences in tDCS responses between athletes and novices, as well as the potential of high-definition tDCS for precise brain region targeting to potentially enhance motor performance in athletic populations.

Acute anodal transcranial direct current stimulation improves the performance of professional rowers

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of acute transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on physical and subjective responses in professional rowing during the 2,000-m time trial test.

Methods

Seven rowers (age 20.86 ± 4.49 years; weight 71.66 ± 7.97 kg) participated in this randomized triple-blind trial with a crossover experimental design. The protocol consists of 2 days with different conditions (anodal and sham). The tDCS anodic stimulation conducted was 2 mA for 20 min in the left temporal cortex (2.5 cm from the F7 zone and 2.5 cm from the T3 zone), targeting the left insular cortex. In the sham moment, the participants experienced 30 s of stimulation. Afterward, they performed a standardized progressive warm-up for 15 min, following the Brazilian Rowing Confederation's assessment protocols, and rested for 3 min before the test started. All procedures were made on an indoor rowing machine, which allowed the capture of performance variables such as time performed, power in watts (W), pace (m/min), and stroke rate (strokes/min). The ratings of perceived exertion [Borg scale (CR-20)] were recorded in each 2-min during the test.

Results

The results presented differences in power [Z: -2.371; p = 0.018; effect size (ES) = -0.896 (large)] and pace [Z: -2.371; p = 0.018; ES = -0.896 (large)] and time performance [Z: -1.612; p = 0.107; ES = -0.609 (large)] throughout the protocol for the anodal moment.

Discussion

However, no differences for the other variables were found. According to the results, the current tDCS with the present protocol improved the physical performance at the 2,000-m time trial Test providing ergogenic aid.

Effects of anodic transcranial direct current stimulation combined with physical training on the performance of elite swimmers

Objective

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) has been used to improve athletic performance in various populations; however, its role in improving performance in elite athletes is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a-tDCS on athletic performance in elite athletes.

Methods

We used a single-blind, randomized controlled experimental design and recruited 24 national-level freestyle swimmers from China. All athletes were randomly divided into two groups; the experimental group underwent a-tDCS (current 2 mA for 20 min) combined with physical training, and the control group underwent a-tDCS sham stimulation combined with physical training. The physical training program was identical in the experimental and control groups. The intervention period was 6 weeks, with five weekly sessions of 110 min each, consisting of 20 min of a-tDCS and 90 min of physical training. Base strength, explosive strength, aerobic endurance, and anaerobic endurance were measured in the athletes before and after the intervention.

Results

The results were as follows. 1) Basic strength: There was a significant improvement in 5RM pull-ups in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). 2) Explosive strength: There was a significant improvement in vertical jump and swimming start distance into the water in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). 3) Aerobic endurance: There was no significant improvement in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention. 4) Anaerobic endurance: There was a significant improvement in 400 m running performance in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared to physical training alone, a-tDCS combined with physical training can better improve the athletic performance of high-level swimmers, especially in basic strength, explosive strength, and aerobic endurance.

Effects of bi-hemispheric anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on soccer player performance: a triple-blinded, controlled, and randomized study

The search for increased performance and physical performance are linked to the use of ergogenic resources. The vertical jump is one of the measures commonly used to evaluate the performance of lower limbs in athletes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, safe, economically viable technique that can modulate cortical excitability, which can influence the increase in the performance of athletes in general. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of tDCS on the primary motor cortex (M1) improves the performance of soccer players. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-seven players were randomized into three groups: Active tDCS group (n = 9), Sham group (n = 9), and control group (n = 9). Stimulation was applied at 2 mA for 15 min using a cephalic mount. Visual Pain Scale (VAS) and Subjective Recovery Scale (SRS) were monitored before and after tDCS. In addition, the participants performed the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) before and after the stimulation intercalated with Heart Rate (HR) and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE CR-10). No differences were found in any of the performance variables analyzed (p > 0.05) nor in the responses of HR (p > 0.05), RPE (p > 0.05), VAS (p > 0.05), and SRS (p > 0.05) between groups. The tDCS in M1 did not change the performance of the vertical jump, and there was no improvement in the subjective scales. New studies should also be developed with different stimulus intensities in different cortical areas and sports modalities.

Effect of tDCS Combined With Physical Training on Physical Performance in a Healthy Population

Purpose: The effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with physical training has shown inconsistent results through research. Hence, a study utilizing a long-term tDCS application over the primary motor cortex and a large sample size is required to determine whether tDCS combined with physical training can increase physical performance (muscular strength, endurance, and explosive strength) in healthy adults. Material and methods: Fifty-six healthy adults were randomly distributed into two groups: active (active tDCS+ physical training) and sham (sham tDCS + physical training) and received the intervention three times per week for six weeks. Muscle strength was assessed using maximal isometric muscle strength (MIMS) by a digital dynamometer. Muscular endurance and lower limb explosive strength were assessed by using muscle fitness testing (MFT), and the Sargent jump test. Results: The active and sham groups exhibited significant improvement in all measured parameters in intragroup analyses. However, intergroup analyses revealed no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that only physical training improved MIMS in the upper and lower extremities, MFT endurance scores, and lower limb explosive power. Thus, tDCS failed to demonstrate its effectiveness in a healthy population according to the protocol used in this study.

Chronic Functional Adaptations Induced by the Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Exercise Programs: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

The present systematic review aimed to determine the chronic effects of the combination of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and exercise on motor function and performance outcomes. We performed a systematic literature review in the databases MEDLINE and Web of Science. Only randomized control trials that measured the chronic effect of combining exercise (comprising gross motor tasks) with tDCS during at least five sessions and measured any type of motor function or performance outcome were included. A total of 22 interventions met the inclusion criteria. Only outcomes related to motor function or performance were collected. Studies were divided into three groups: (a) healthy population (n = 4), (b) neurological disorder population (n = 14), and (c) musculoskeletal disorder population (n = 4). The studies exhibited considerable variability in terms of tDCS protocols, exercise programs, and outcome measures. Chronic use of tDCS in combination with strength training does not enhance motor function in healthy adults. In neurological disorders, the results suggest no additive effect if the exercise program includes the movements pretending to be improved (i.e., tested). However, although evidence is scarce, tDCS may enhance exercise-induced adaptations in musculoskeletal conditions characterized by pain as a limiting factor of motor function.

Concomitant dual-site tDCS and dark chocolate improve cognitive and endurance performance following cognitive effort under hypoxia: a randomized controlled trial

Ten male cyclists were randomized into four experimental conditions in this randomized, cross-over, double-blind, and sham-controlled study to test the combined effect of acute dark chocolate (DC) ingestion and anodal concurrent dual-site transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) targeting M1 and left DLPFC on cognitive and whole-body endurance performance in hypoxia after performing a cognitive task. Two hours before the sessions, chocolate was consumed. After arriving at the lab, participants completed an incongruent Stroop task for 30 min in hypoxia (O2 = 13%) to induce mental fatigue, followed by 20 min of tDCS (2 mA) in hypoxia. Then, in hypoxia, they performed a time-to-exhaustion task (TTE) while measuring physiological and psychophysiological responses. Cognitive performance was measured at baseline, after the Stroop task, and during and after TTE. TTE in 'DC + a-tDCS' was significantly longer than in 'white chocolate (WC) + a-tDCS' and WC + sham-tDCS'. The vastus medialis muscle electromyography amplitude was significantly higher in 'DC + a-tDCS' and 'DC + sham-tDCS' than in 'WC + sh-tDCS'. During and after the TTE, choice reaction time was significantly lower in 'DC + a-tDCS' compared to 'WC + sh-tDCS'. Other physiological or psychophysiological variables showed no significant differences. The concurrent use of acute DC consumption and dual-site a-tDCS might improve cognitive and endurance performance in hypoxia.

The Influence of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Fatigue Resistance

Previous research has shown that some forms of non-invasive brain stimulation can increase fatigue resistance. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on the time to task failure (TTF) of a precision grip task. The study utilized a randomized, double-blind, SHAM-controlled, within-subjects design. Twenty-six young adults completed two experimental sessions (tACS and SHAM) with a 7-day washout period between sessions. Each session involved a fatiguing isometric contraction of the right hand with a precision grip with either a tACS or SHAM stimulation applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) simultaneously. For the fatiguing contraction, the participants matched an isometric target force of 20% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force until task failure. Pre- and post-MVCs were performed to quantify the force decline due to fatigue. Accordingly, the dependent variables were the TTF and MVC force decline as well as the average EMG activity, force error, and standard deviation (SD) of force during the fatiguing contractions. The results indicate that there were no significant differences in any of the dependent variables between the tACS and SHAM conditions (p value range: 0.256-0.820). These findings suggest that tACS does not increase the TTF during fatiguing contractions in young adults.

Effect of tDCS targeting the M1 or left DLPFC on physical performance, psychophysiological responses, and cognitive function in repeated all-out cycling: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Despite reporting the positive effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on endurance performance, very few studies have investigated its efficacy in anaerobic short all-out activities. Moreover, there is still no consensus on which brain areas could provide the most favorable effects on different performance modalities. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the effects of anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) or left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on physical performance, psychophysiological responses, and cognitive function in repeated all-out cycling.

METHODS

In this randomized, crossover, and double-blind study, 15 healthy physically active men underwent a-tDCS targeting M1 or the left DLPFC or sham tDCS in separate days before performing three bouts of all-out 30s cycling anaerobic test. a-tDCS was applied using 2 mA for 20 min. Peak power, mean power, fatigue index, and EMG of the quadriceps muscles were measured during each bout. Heart rate, perceived exertion, affective valence, and arousal were recorded two minutes after each bout. Color-word Stroop test and choice reaction time were measured at baseline and after the whole anaerobic test.

RESULTS

Neither tDCS montage significantly changed peak power, mean power, fatigue index, heart rate, affective valence, arousal, and choice reaction time (p> 0.05). a-tDCS over DLPFC significantly lowered RPE of the first bout (compared to sham; p=0.048, Δ=-12.5%) and third bout compared to the M1 (p=0.047, Δ=-12.38%) and sham (p=0.003, Δ=-10.5%), increased EMG of the Vastus Lateralis muscle during the second (p=0.016, Δ= +40.3%) and third bout (p=0.016, Δ= +42.1%) compared to sham, and improved the score of color-word Stroop test after the repeated all-out task (p=0.04, Δ= +147%). The qualitative affective response (valence and arousal) was also higher under the M1 and DLPFC compared to the sham.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that tDCS targeting M1 or DLPFC does not improve repeated anaerobic performance. However, the positive effect of DLPFC montage on RPE, EMG, qualitative affective responses, and cognitive function is promising and paves the path for future research using different tDCS montages to see any possible effects on anaerobic performance.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Razi University (IR.RAZI.REC.1400.023) and registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT id: IRCT20210617051606N5; Registration Date: 04/02/2022).

Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over the Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Boosts Decision Making and Functional Impulsivity in Female Sports Referees

We investigated the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) on the sensitive decision making of female team sports referees. Twenty-four female referees voluntarily participated in this randomized, double-blind, crossover, and sham-controlled study. In three different sessions, participants received either anodal (a-tDCS; anode (+) over F4, cathode (-) over the supraorbital region (SO)), cathodal (c-tDCS; -F4/+SO), or sham tDCS (sh-tDCS) in a randomized and counterbalanced order. a-tDCS and c-tDCS were applied with 2 mA for 20 min. In sh-tDCS, the current was turned off after 30 s. Before and after tDCS, participants performed the computerized Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and Go/No Go impulsivity (IMP) tests. Only a-tDCS improved IGT and IMP scores from pre to post. The delta (Δ = post-pre) analysis showed a significantly higher ΔIGT in a-tDCS compared to c-tDCS (p = 0.02). The ΔIMP was also significantly higher in a-tDCS compared to sh-tDCS (p = 0.01). Finally, the reaction time decreased significantly more in a-tDCS (p = 0.02) and sh-tDCS (p = 0.03) than in c-tDCS. The results suggest that the a-tDCS improved factors related to sensitive decision making in female team sports referees. a-tDCS might be used as an ergogenic aid to enhance decision performance in female team sports referees.

Anodal tDCS over the left DLPFC but not M1 increases muscle activity and improves psychophysiological responses, cognitive function, and endurance performance in normobaric hypoxia: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to have positive effects on exercise performance and cognitive function in the normal ambient condition. Hypoxia is deemed a stressful situation with detrimental effects on physiological, psychological, cognitive, and perceptual responses of the body. Nevertheless, no study has evaluated the efficacy of tDCS for counteracting the negative effects of hypoxic conditions on exercise performance and cognition so far. Hence, in the present study, we investigated the effects of anodal tDCS on endurance performance, cognitive function, and perceptual responses in hypoxia.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Fourteen endurance-trained males participated in five experimental sessions. After familiarization and measuring peak power output in hypoxia, in the first and second sessions, through the 3rd to 5th sessions, participants performed a cycling endurance task until exhaustion after 30 min hypoxic exposure at resting position followed by 20 min of anodal stimulation of the motor cortex (M1), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), or sham-tDCS. Color-word Stroop test and choice reaction time were measured at baseline and after exhaustion. Time to exhaustion, heart rate, saturated O₂, EMG amplitude of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris muscles, RPE, affective response, and felt arousal were also measured during the task under hypoxia.

RESULTS

The results showed a longer time to exhaustion (+ 30.96%, p₌0.036), lower RPE (- 10.23%, p ₌ 0.045) and higher EMG amplitude of the vastus medialis muscle (+ 37.24%, p₌0.003), affective response (+ 260%, p₌0.035) and felt arousal (+ 28.9%, p₌0.029) in the DLPFC tDCS compared to sham. The choice reaction time was shorter in DLPFC tDCS compared to sham (- 17.55%, p₌0.029), and no differences were seen in the color-word Stroop test among the conditions under hypoxia. M1 tDCS resulted in no significant effect for any outcome measure.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that, as a novel finding, anodal stimulation of the left DLPFC might provide an ergogenic aid for endurance performance and cognitive function under the hypoxic condition probably via increasing neural drive to the working muscles, lowering RPE, and increasing perceptual responses.

Motor Evoked Potential Amplitude in Motor Behavior-based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Studies: A Systematic Review

Motor evoked potential amplitude (MEP_amp) is frequently measured in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies that target the primary motor cortex (M1), and a subset of these studies involve motor behavior. This systematic review explored the role of MEP_amp as an indicator of neural change in M1-targeted tDCS studies involving motor behavior (i.e., motor practice and/or evaluation of motor performance) in healthy individuals, and examined the association between changes in motor performance and MEP_amp. We executed our search strategy across four bibliographic databases. Twenty-two manuscripts met eligibility criteria. While anodal tDCS combined with motor practice frequently increased MEP_amp, MEP_amp outcomes did not necessarily align with changes in motor performance. Thus, MEP_amp may not be the most appropriate indicator of neural change in tDCS studies that aim to improve motor performance.

Probing the Promises of Noninvasive Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Boosting Mental Performance in Sports

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.

Reduced isometric knee extensor force following anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the ipsilateral motor cortex

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to determine if 10-min of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) to the motor cortex (M1) is capable of modulating quadriceps isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force or fatigue endurance contralateral or ipsilateral to the stimulation site.

METHODS

In a randomized, cross-over design, 16 (8 females) individuals underwent two sessions of a-tDCS and two sham tDCS (s-tDCS) sessions targeting the left M1 (all participants were right limb dominant), with testing of either the left (ipsilateral) or right (contralateral) quadriceps. Knee extensor (KE) MVC force was recorded prior to and following the a-tDCS and s-tDCS protocols. Additionally, a repetitive MVC fatiguing protocol (12 MVCs with work-rest ratio of 5:10-s) was completed following each tDCS protocol.

RESULTS

There was a significant interaction effect for stimulation condition x leg tested x time [F(1,60) = 7.156, p = 0.010, ηp2 = 0.11], which revealed a significant absolute KE MVC force reduction in the contralateral leg following s-tDCS (p < 0.001, d = 1.2) and in the ipsilateral leg following a-tDCS (p < 0.001, d = 1.09). A significant interaction effect for condition x leg tested [F(1,56) = 8.12, p = 0.006, ηp2 = 0.13], showed a significantly lower ipsilateral quadriceps (to tDCS) relative MVC force with a-tDCS, versus s-tDCS [t(15) = -3.07, p = 0.016, d = -0.77]. There was no significant difference between the relative contralateral quadriceps (to tDCS) MVC force for a-tDCS and s-tDCS. Although there was an overall significant [F(1,56) = 8.36, p < 0.001] 12.1% force decrease between the first and twelfth MVC repetitions, there were no significant main or interaction effects for fatigue index force.

CONCLUSION

a-tDCS may be ineffective at increasing maximal force or endurance and instead may be detrimental to quadriceps force production.

The influence of a single transcranial direct current stimulation session on physical fitness in healthy subjects: a systematic review

Physical fitness is of indisputable importance for both health, and sports. Currently, the brain is being increasingly recognized as a contributor to physical fitness. Hereby, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), as an ergogenic aid, has gained scientific interest. The current PRISMA-adherent review aimed to examine the effect of tDCS on the three core components of physical fitness: muscle strength, -endurance and cardiopulmonary endurance. Randomized controlled- or cross-over trials evaluating the effect of a single tDCS session (vs. sham) in healthy individuals were included. Hereby, a wide array of tDCS-related factors (e.g., tDCS montage and dose) was taken into account. Thirty-five studies (540 participants) were included. Between-study heterogeneity in factors such as age, activity level, tDCS protocol, and outcome measures was large. The capacity of tDCS to improve physical fitness varied substantially across studies. Nevertheless, muscle endurance was most susceptible to improvements following anodal tDCS (AtDCS), with 69% of studies (n = 11) investigating this core component of physical fitness reporting positive effects. The primary motor cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were targeted the most, with positive results being reported on muscle and cardiopulmonary endurance. Finally, online tDCS seemed most beneficial, and no clear relationship between tDCS and dose-related parameters seemed present. These findings can contribute to optimizing tDCS interventions during the rehabilitation of patients with a variety of (chronic) diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Therefore, future studies should focus on further unraveling the potential of AtDCS on physical fitness and, more specifically, muscle endurance in both healthy subjects and patients suffering from (chronic) diseases. This study was registered in Prospero with the registration number CRD42021258529. "To enable PROSPERO to focus on COVID-19 registrations during the 2020 pandemic, this registration record was automatically published exactly as submitted. The PROSPERO team has not checked eligibility".

Transcranial direct current stimulation influences repetitive bimanual force control and interlimb force coordination

This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on repetitive bimanual force control and force coordination in healthy young adults. In this sham-controlled crossover study, 18 right-handed young adults were enrolled. Repetitive bimanual handgrip force control trials were performed by the participants at 40% of maximum voluntary contraction until task failure. We randomly provided bilateral active and sham tDCS to the primary motor cortex (M1) of each participant before conducting the repetitive bimanual force control task. We quantified the number of successful trials to assess the ability to maintain bimanual force control across multiple trials. Moreover, we estimated bimanual force control and force coordination by quantifying force accuracy, variability, regularity, and correlation coefficient in maximal and adjusted successful trials. Force asymmetry was calculated to examine potential changes in motor dependency on each hand during the task. Bilateral tDCS significantly increased the number of successful trials compared with sham tDCS. The adjusted successful trial revealed that participants who received bilateral tDCS maintained better bimanual force control and coordination, as indicated by decreased force variability and regularity as well as more negative correlation coefficient values in comparison with sham condition. Moreover, participants who received bilateral tDCS produced more force from the dominant hand than from the nondominant hand in both maximal and adjusted successful trials. These findings suggest that bilateral tDCS on M1 successfully maintains bimanual force control with better force coordination by modulating motor dependency.

Effects of Mental Fatigue on Strength Endurance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the effects of mental fatigue on upper and lower body strength endurance. Searches for studies were performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases. We included studies that compared the effects of a demanding cognitive task (set to induce mental fatigue) with a control condition on strength endurance in dynamic resistance exercise (i.e., expressed as the number of performed repetitions at a given load). The data reported in the included studies were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis of standardized mean differences. Seven studies were included in the review. We found that mental fatigue significantly reduced the number of performed repetitions for upper body exercises (standardized mean difference: -0.41; 95% confidence interval [-0.70, -0.12]; p = .006; I2 = 0%). Mental fatigue also significantly reduced the number of performed repetitions in the analysis for lower body exercises (standardized mean difference: -0.39; 95% confidence interval [-0.75, -0.04]; p = .03; I2 = 0%). Our results showed that performing a demanding cognitive task-which induces mental fatigue-impairs strength endurance performance. Collectively, our findings suggest that exposure to cognitive tasks that may induce mental fatigue should be minimized before strength endurance-based resistance exercise sessions.

Single-session anodal transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance sport-specific performance in athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a promising and feasible method to improve motor performance in healthy and clinical populations. However, the potential of tDCS to enhance sport-specific motor performance in athletes remains elusive.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed at analyzing the acute effects of a single anodal tDCS session on sport-specific motor performance changes in athletes compared to sham.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. The meta-analysis was performed using an inverse variance method and a random-effects model. Additionally, two subgroup analyses were conducted (1) depending on the stimulated brain areas (primary motor cortex (M1), temporal cortex (TC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), cerebellum (CB)), and (2) studies clustered in subgroups according to different sports performance domains (endurance, strength, visuomotor skill).

RESULTS

A total number of 19 studies enrolling a sample size of 258 athletes were deemed eligible for inclusion. Across all included studies, a significant moderate standardized mean difference (SMD) favoring anodal tDCS to enhance sport-specific motor performance could be observed. Subgroup analysis depending on cortical target areas of tDCS indicated a significant moderate SMD in favor of anodal tDCS compared to sham for M1 stimulation.

CONCLUSION

A single anodal tDCS session can lead to performance enhancement in athletes in sport-specific motor tasks. Although no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the modes of action as a function of performance domain or stimulation site, these results imply intriguing possibilities concerning sports performance enhancement through anodal M1 stimulation.

A pilot randomized clinical trial of tDCS for increasing exercise engagement in individuals with elevated depressive symptoms: Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics

Regular exercise protects against overweight/obesity as well as numerous chronic diseases. Yet, less than half of Americans exercise sufficiently. Elevated levels of depressive symptoms have been identified as an important correlate of physical inactivity as well as poor adherence to exercise programs. Individuals with depression are less sensitive to rewards and demonstrate an attentional bias toward negative stimuli. These, and other features of depression, may place them at increased risk for effectively managing the affective experience of exercise. Lower baseline levels of activation of the left (vs right) frontal cortex, an area implicated in affect regulation, have also been found in depression, potentially pointing to this region as a potential target for intervening on affect regulation during exercise. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown promise in impacting a variety of cognitive and affective processes in a large number of individuals, including people with depression. Some findings have suggested that tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), specifically, may improve emotion regulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation could theoretically be a novel and potentially promising approach to improving the affective experience of exercise, thereby increasing exercise adherence among individuals with depressive symptoms. Here we present the rationale, design, and baseline characteristics of a pilot randomized controlled trial of tDCS versus sham delivered 3x/week for 8 weeks in the context of supervised aerobic exercise (AE) program among 51 low-active individuals with elevated depressive symptoms (86.3% female; mean age = 49.5). Follow-up assessments were conducted at end of treatment, and three and six months after enrollment to examine changes in levels of objectively-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). If effective, this approach could have high public health impact on preventing obesity and chronic diseases among these at-risk individuals.

Effects of Preceding Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Movement Velocity and EMG Signal during the Back Squat Exercise

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preceding anodal transcranial direct stimulation (a-tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during the back squat exercise on movement velocity and surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity. Thirteen healthy, well-trained, male firefighters (34.72 ± 3.33 years; 178 ± 7.61 cm; 76.85 ± 11.21 kg; 26.8 ± 4.2 kg·m−2; back squat 1-repetition maximum 141.5 ± 16.3 kg) completed this randomised double-blinded sham-controlled crossover study. After familiarisation and basal measurements, participants attended the laboratory on two occasions separated by 72 h to receive either Sham or a-tDCS (current intensity of 2 mA for 20 min). Immediately after stimulation, participants completed three sets of 12 repetitions (70% of 1-RM) with three minutes of recovery between sets monitored with a linear position transducer. The sEMG of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) of both legs were recorded. No significant differences were observed between a-tDCS and Sham interventions on mean concentric velocity at any set (p > 0.05). Velocity loss and effort index were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in set 3 compared to set 1 only in the a-tDCS group. The right-leg RM and right-leg VL elicited the greatest muscle activation during set 1 after a-tDCS and Sham, respectively (p < 0.05). Our results revealed that a-tDCS over the DLPFC might impact movement velocity or fatigue tolerance in well-trained individuals. Notwithstanding, significant differences in dominant-leg muscle activity were found both in a-tDCS and Sham.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Does Not Affect Sprint Performance or the Horizontal Force-Velocity Profile

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on sprint performance and the horizontal force-velocity (F-v) profile. Method: Thirty-two healthy subjects (25 men and 7 women; age = 21.8 ± 2.4 years) completed three sessions separated by 1 week following a double-blinded crossover design. Each session consisted of two maximal sprints of 30 meters that were performed after applying ANODAL, CATHODAL or SHAM tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for 15 minutes at 2 mA. The 30-m time and the horizontal F-v profile variables (theoretical maximal force [F₀], theoretical maximal velocity, Fv slope, maximal power [Pmax], decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force, and maximal ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force) were compared between the tDCS conditions. Results: No significant differences between the tDCS conditions were observed for any variable (p range = 0.061 to 0.842). The magnitude of the differences was negligible for most of the comparisons (effect size [ES] < 0.20) with the only exception of P_max and F₀ which were greater for the ANODAL compared to the SHAM condition (both ES = 0.20). Conclusions: The application of tDCS over the DLPFC is not effective to increase non-fatigued sprint performance.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Motor Cortex Enhances Spike Performances of Professional Female Volleyball Players

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of brain excitability by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on spike performances of professional female volleyball players. Thirteen professional female volleyball players were recruited for participation. We performed a randomized single-blind, SHAM-stimulus controlled, and counter-balanced crossover design with two interventions in this study. An anodal tDCS current was applied over the primary motor cortex (M1) for 20 min at 2 mA. In the SHAM intervention, the current was first applied for 30 s, after which it was terminated. Exercise performance assessment which comprised spike performance (spike ball speed, spiking consistency), two vertical jumps (jump and reach: JaR, countermovement jump: CMJ), bench-press and back-squat one-repetition maximum (1RM) were tested pre- and post-intervention. Results indicated that spike ball speed and spiking consistency following tDCS were significantly higher than those after SHAM intervention (both p < 0.05). However, JaR and CMJ did not show any significant differences between tDCS and SHAM intervention groups (both p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in bench-press and back-squat 1RM between two groups either (both p > 0.05). These findings suggest that tDCS could be effective in enhancing motor coordination performances of professional female volleyball athletes.

Non-invasive brain stimulation over the orbital prefrontal cortex maintains endurance performance in mentally fatigued swimmers

BACKGROUND

Using anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) on frontal brain areas might be a promising strategy to mitigates mental fatigue and maintain endurance performance swimmers.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to analyze the effect of a-tDCS over the orbital prefrontal cortex (oPFC) on endurance performance of mentally fatigued female amateur swimmer.

METHODS

Nineteen female amateur swimmers participated in this study. In two experimental visits, the swimmers completed the 3-min all-out tethered swimming after performing a 30-min Stroop test with a-tDCS or placebo (Sham) stimulation over the left-oPFC. The brain stimulation conditions (i.e., a-tDCS and Sham) were performed in a double-blinded and counterbalanced order.

RESULTS

It was found lower critical force, mean force, force minimum, fatigue index, and aerobic impulse for Sham than a-tDCS (p < 0.05). There was no main effect of condition for peak force (p >  0.05).

CONCLUSION

We concluded that a-tDCS applied over the left-oPFC in female amateur swimmers mentally fatigued maintained endurance performance. From a practical point of view, the use of a-tDCS should be considered to counteract harmful cognitive effects and maintain endurance performance during competitive race events.

High Estrogen Levels Cause Greater Leg Muscle Fatigability in Eumenorrheic Young Women after 4 mA Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) research has shown great outcome variability in motor performance tasks, with one possible source being sex differences. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of estrogen levels on leg muscle fatigability during a fatigue task (FT) after 4 mA tDCS over the left motor cortex (M1). Ten young, healthy eumenorrheic women received 4 mA anodal active or sham stimulation over the left M1 during periods of high and low estrogen levels. A fatigue index (FI) was calculated to quantify fatigability, and the electromyography (EMG) of the knee extensors and flexors was recorded during the FT. The findings showed that tDCS applied during high estrogen levels resulted in greater leg muscle fatigability. Furthermore, a significant increase in EMG activity of the right knee extensors was observed during periods of active stimulation, independent of estrogen level. These results suggest that estrogen levels should be considered in tDCS studies with young healthy women.

Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Does Not Affect Velocity Loss During a Typical Resistance Exercise Session

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on velocity loss in a typical resistance exercise session. Methods: Twelve recreationally resistance-trained males (age = 24.8 ± 3.0 years, body mass = 78.9 ± 13.6 kg, and height = 174.3 ± 7.3 cm) completed two experimental trials in a counterbalanced crossover design: anodal tDCS and sham conditions. The stimuli were applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 20 minutes, using a 2 mA current intensity in anodal tDCS and a 1-minute active stimulus in the sham condition. After stimulation, subjects performed three sets of the bench press at a 70% of 1 maximum repetition intensity and 1 min of inter-set rest. The velocity loss was calculated as the relative difference between the fastest repetition velocity (usually first) and the velocity of the last repetition of each set and averaged over all three sets. Results: The results found no interaction between conditions and sets (P = .122), and no effect for conditions (P = .323) or sets (P = .364) for the velocity loss in each set. Also, no differences were found between the average velocity loss of the three sets in the anodal tDCS (-25.0 ± 4.7%) and sham condition (-23.3 ± 6.4%; P = .323). Conclusion: Anodal tDCS does not affect movement velocity in a typical strength training protocol in recreationally trained subjects.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Improves Back-Squat Performance in Intermediate Resistance-Training Men

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of anodal tDCS applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on muscle endurance in the back-squat exercise. Methods: Eleven healthy males, intermediate in resistance training (RT), aged between 18 and 31 years (25.5 ± 4.4 years) were recruited. In the initial visits (1st and 2nd visits), participants performed a 1RM test to determine the load in the back-squat exercise. Following the two initials visits, participants attended the lab for the two experimental conditions (anodal tDCS and sham), which were completed a week apart, with sessions randomly counterbalanced. The stimulation was applied over the DLPFC for 20 minutes using a 2 mA current intensity. Immediately after the experimental conditions, participants completed three sets of maximum repetitions (80% of 1RM), with a 1-minute recovery interval between each set in the back-squat exercise. Muscle endurance was determined by the total number of repetitions and the number of repetitions in each set. Results: The total number of repetitions was higher in the anodal tDCS condition compared to sham condition (p ≤ .0001). Moreover, the number of repetitions performed in the first set was higher for anodal tDCS condition than in the sham condition (p ≤ .01). Conclusion: This study found improvement in back-squat exercise performance after the application of anodal tDCS. The effects of anodal tDCS applied over DLPFC may be a promising ergogenic resource on muscle endurance in the back-squat exercise.

The role of the neural stimulus in regulating skeletal muscle hypertrophy

Resistance training is frequently performed with the goal of stimulating muscle hypertrophy. Due to the key roles motor unit recruitment and mechanical tension play to induce muscle growth, when programming, the manipulation of the training variables is oriented to provoke the correct stimulus. Although it is known that the nervous system is responsible for the control of motor units and active muscle force, muscle hypertrophy researchers and trainers tend to only focus on the adaptations of the musculotendinous unit and not in the nervous system behaviour. To better guide resistance exercise prescription for muscle hypertrophy and aiming to delve into the mechanisms that maximize this goal, this review provides evidence-based considerations for possible effects of neural behaviour on muscle growth when programming resistance training, and future neurophysiological measurement that should be tested when training to increase muscle mass. Combined information from the neural and muscular structures will allow to understand the exact adaptations of the muscle in response to a given input (neural drive to the muscle). Changes at different levels of the nervous system will affect the control of motor units and mechanical forces during resistance training, thus impacting the potential hypertrophic adaptations. Additionally, this article addresses how neural adaptations and fatigue accumulation that occur when resistance training may influence the hypertrophic response and propose neurophysiological assessments that may improve our understanding of resistance training variables that impact on muscular adaptations.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and sporting performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of tDCS effects on physical endurance, muscular strength, and visuomotor skills

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been linked with a range of physiological and cognitive enhancements relevant to sporting performance. As a number of positive and null findings have been reported in the literature, the present meta-analysis sought to synthesise results across endurance, strength, and visuomotor skill domains to investigate if tDCS improves any aspect of sporting performance. Online database searches in August 2020 identified 43 full-text studies which examined the acute effects of tDCS compared to sham/control conditions on physical endurance, muscular strength, and visuomotor skills in healthy adults. Meta-analysis indicated a small overall effect favouring tDCS stimulation over sham/control (standardized mean difference (SMD)=0.25, CI95%[0.14;0.36]). Effects on strength (SMD=0.31, CI95%[0.10;0.51]) and visuomotor (SMD=0.29, CI95%[0.00;0.57]) tasks were larger than endurance performance (SMD=0.18, CI95%[0.00;0.37]). Meta-regressions indicated effect sizes were not related to stimulation parameters, but other factors such as genetics, gender, and experience may modulate tDCS effects. The results suggest tDCS has the potential to be used as an ergogenic aid in conjunction with a specified training regime.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with the Halo Sport Does Not Improve Performance on a Three-Minute, High Intensity Cycling Test

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) uses a weak electrical current that is sent through the cerebral cortex. The Halo Sport headphones are a user-friendly form of tDCS that is implemented by many athletes purportedly to improve performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of tDCS, using the Halo Sport, on performance variables associated with a high-intensity three-minute cycling test. Eighteen healthy, active individuals (ten men, eight women) volunteered for this study. The Halo Sport headphones were worn during a 20-minute warmup before completing a high-intensity three-minute cycling test. A sham treatment was used in addition to the experimental condition. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed every 30 seconds and electromyography (EMG) of the quadriceps muscle group was measured throughout testing. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to determine the effect of condition and time on mean RPE, heart rate (HR) and power; paired samples t-tests were also used to compare conditions. Mean HR was higher in the experimental condition (p = 0.038). Otherwise, there were no differences between conditions on any of the variables (mean RPE, cadence and speed, mean and peak HR, power, root mean square EMG). Despite the popularity of this new device, our findings do not support an ergogenic effect. However, further research is warranted.

Personal Protective Equipment Alters Leg Muscle Fatigability Independent of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: A Comparison with Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic Results

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE; e.g., face mask) has increased. Mandating subjects to wear PPE during vigorous exercise might affect the fatigue outcomes of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of PPE affected the performance of a tDCS-influenced fatigue task in healthy adults. A total of 16 young and healthy subjects were recruited and wore PPE during an isokinetic fatigue task in conjunction with sham, 2 mA, and 4 mA tDCS conditions. Subjects were matched to subjects who did not wear PPE during our previous pre-pandemic study in which right knee extensor fatigability increased under these same conditions. The results show that right knee extensor fatigability, derived from torque and work (FI-T and FI-W, respectively), was higher in the PPE study compared to the No PPE study in the sham condition. Additionally, there were no differences in knee extensor fatigability or muscle activity between sham, 2 mA, and 4 mA tDCS in the present study, which contrasts with our previous results. Thus, PPE worn by subjects and researchers might have a detrimental effect on fatigue outcomes in tDCS studies irrespective of the stimulation intervention.

Does anodal tDCS improve basketball performance? A randomized controlled trial

Shooting precision as well as dribbling and agility are crucial components of performance in basketball. We examined the effects of anodal tDCS over the dominant primary motor cortex in supporting these basketball specific abilities. Fifty-two sports students were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with two interventions. Twenty minutes of anodal 1 mA tDCS/sham tDCS were applied over the primary motor cortex of the dominant hemisphere. Basketball shooting precision (basketball shooting accuracy test) and basketball specific dribbling and agility (Illinois ball-dribbling test) were tested prior and after each intervention. Basketball shooting precision and basketball specific dribbling and agility improved after real tDCS but not after sham tDCS. ANOVAs show significant intervention*time effects on both the shooting accuracy test (F_1,51= 5.6; P = 0.022) and on the Illinois ball-dribbling test (F_1,51 = 4.5; P = 0.038). Anodal 1 mA tDCS over the dominant primary motor cortex is effective in supporting short-term performance in basketball. However, the available data is insufficient for application of this novel method within the framework of conventional sports training.

Acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on cycling and running performance. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proven to induce positive effects on athletic performance. The present study aimed to analyse the effect of anodal-tDCS on endurance (time to exhaustion [TTE] or endurance time trial [ETT]) and sprint performance during cycling and running tasks. We performed a systematic literature review in the databases Medline (via PubMed), SPORTDiscus and Science Direct. We included only randomised controlled trials conducted with healthy individuals in which an anodal-tDCS protocol was applied prior to cycling or running tests. The effect of anodal-tDCS (experimental condition) was compared against sham stimulation (control condition). A total of 15 interventions from 13 studies were included. The sub-group analysis revealed a positive effect of anodal-tDCS on TTE (standardised mean differences [SMD] = 0.37; 90% confidence interval [CI] = 0.13, 0.61; p = 0.01), but not on ETT (SMD = 0.00; 90% CI = -0.29, 0.30; p = 1.00) or sprint performance (SMD = 0.19; 90% CI = -0.23, 0.60; p = 0.46). The current meta-analysis suggests that the effect of anodal-tDCS on whole-body dynamic exercises (running and cycling) could be task dependent. Specifically, anodal-tDCS enhance running and cycling time to exhaustion performance during TTE tasks but not ETT or sprint tasks. The increase in cortical excitability induced by anodal-tDCS may lead to lower ratings of perceived exertion by reducing the input required to perform the physical task. Task should be taken into account, because it is probably influencing the result obtained by anodal-tDCS.

Applications of Non-invasive Neuromodulation for the Management of Disorders Related to COVID-19

Background: Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) morbidity is not restricted to the respiratory system, but also affects the nervous system. Non-invasive neuromodulation may be useful in the treatment of the disorders associated with COVID-19. Objective: To describe the rationale and empirical basis of the use of non-invasive neuromodulation in the management of patients with COVID-10 and related disorders. Methods: We summarize COVID-19 pathophysiology with emphasis of direct neuroinvasiveness, neuroimmune response and inflammation, autonomic balance and neurological, musculoskeletal and neuropsychiatric sequela. This supports the development of a framework for advancing applications of non-invasive neuromodulation in the management COVID-19 and related disorders. Results: Non-invasive neuromodulation may manage disorders associated with COVID-19 through four pathways: (1) Direct infection mitigation through the stimulation of regions involved in the regulation of systemic anti-inflammatory responses and/or autonomic responses and prevention of neuroinflammation and recovery of respiration; (2) Amelioration of COVID-19 symptoms of musculoskeletal pain and systemic fatigue; (3) Augmenting cognitive and physical rehabilitation following critical illness; and (4) Treating outbreak-related mental distress including neurological and psychiatric disorders exacerbated by surrounding psychosocial stressors related to COVID-19. The selection of the appropriate techniques will depend on the identified target treatment pathway. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection results in a myriad of acute and chronic symptoms, both directly associated with respiratory distress (e.g., rehabilitation) or of yet-to-be-determined etiology (e.g., fatigue). Non-invasive neuromodulation is a toolbox of techniques that based on targeted pathways and empirical evidence (largely in non-COVID-19 patients) can be investigated in the management of patients with COVID-19.

Enhancing Motor Brain Activity Improves Memory for Action Language: A tDCS Study

The embodied cognition approach to linguistic meaning posits that action language understanding is grounded in sensory-motor systems. However, evidence that the human motor cortex is necessary for action language memory is meager. To address this issue, in two groups of healthy individuals, we perturbed the left primary motor cortex (M1) by means of either anodal or cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), before participants had to memorize lists of manual action and attentional sentences. In each group, participants received sham and active tDCS in two separate sessions. Following anodal tDCS (a-tDCS), participants improved the recall of action sentences compared with sham tDCS. No similar effects were detected following cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS). Both a-tDCS and c-tDCS induced variable changes in motor excitability, as measured by motor-evoked potentials induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Remarkably, across groups, action-specific memory improvements were positively predicted by changes in motor excitability. We provide evidence that excitatory modulation of the motor cortex selectively improves performance in a task requiring comprehension and memory of action sentences. These findings indicate that M1 is necessary for accurate processing of linguistic meanings and thus provide causal evidence that high-order cognitive functions are grounded in the human motor system.

Different Effects of 2 mA and 4 mA Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Muscle Activity and Torque in a Maximal Isokinetic Fatigue Task

Studies investigating the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on fatigue and muscle activity have elicited measurable improvements using stimulation intensities ≤2 mA and submaximal effort tasks. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 2 mA and 4 mA anodal tDCS over the primary motor cortex (M1) on performance fatigability and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the leg muscles during a maximal isokinetic task in healthy young adults. A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled crossover study design was applied. Twenty-seven active young adults completed four sessions, each spaced by 5-8 days. During session 1, dominance was verified with isokinetic strength testing, and subjects were familiarized with the fatigue task (FT). The FT protocol included 40 continuous maximum isokinetic contractions of the knee extensors and flexors (120°/s, concentric/concentric). During Sessions 2-4, tDCS was applied for 20 min with one of three randomly assigned intensities (sham, 2 mA or 4 mA) and the FT was repeated. The anode and cathode of the tDCS device were placed over C3 and the contralateral supraorbital area, respectively. A wireless EMG system collected muscle activity during the FT. The 2 mA tDCS condition had significantly less torque (65.9 ± 32.7 Nm) during the FT than both the sham (68.4 ± 33.9 Nm, p < 0.001) and 4 mA conditions (68.4 ± 33.9 Nm, p = 0.001). Furthermore, the 2 mA condition (33.8 ± 11.7%) had significantly less EMG activity during the FT than both the sham (39.7 ± 10.6%, p < 0.001) and 4 mA conditions (40.5 ± 13.4%, p = 0.001). Contrary to previous submaximal isometric fatigue investigations, the 2 mA tDCS condition significantly reduced torque production and EMG activity of the leg extensors during a maximal isokinetic FT compared with the sham and 4 mA conditions. Also, torque production and EMG activity in the 4 mA condition were not significantly different from sham. Thus, the effects of tDCS, and the underlying mechanisms, might not be the same for different tasks and warrants more investigation.

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation enhances strength training volume but not the force-velocity profile

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the acute effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the force-velocity relationship, strength training volume, movement velocity, and ratings of perceived exertion.

METHODS

Fourteen healthy men (age 22.8 ± 3.0 years) were randomly stimulated over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with either ANODAL, CATHODAL or SHAM tDCS for 15 min at 2 mA. The one-repetition maximum (1RM) and force-velocity relationship parameters were evaluated during the bench press exercise before and after receiving the tDCS. Subsequently, participants completed a resistance training session consisting of sets of five repetitions with 1 min of inter-set rest against the 75%1RM until failure.

RESULTS

No significant changes were observed in the 1RM or in the force-velocity relationship parameters (p ≥ 0.377). The number of repetitions was higher for the ANODAL compared to the CATHODAL (p = 0.025; ES = 0.37) and SHAM (p = 0.009; ES = 0.47) conditions. The reductions of movement velocity across sets were lower for the ANODAL than for the CATHODAL and SHAM condition (p = 0.014). RPE values were lower for the ANODAL compared to the CATHODAL (p = 0.119; ES = 0.33) and SHAM (p = 0.150; ES = 0.44) conditions. No significant differences between the CATHODAL and SHAM conditions were observed for any variable.

CONCLUSION

The application of ANODAL tDCS before a resistance training session increased training volume, enabled the maintenance of higher movement velocities, and reduced RPE values. These results suggest that tDCS could be an effective method to enhance resistance-training performance.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation at 4 mA Induces Greater Leg Muscle Fatigability in Women Compared to Men

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has previously shown different cortical excitability and neuropsychological effects between women and men. However, the sex-specific effects of tDCS on leg muscle fatigability has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a single session of 2 mA and 4 mA primary motor cortex tDCS on leg muscle fatigability in healthy young men and women in a crossover design. Twenty participants (women = 10) completed isokinetic fatigue testing (40 maximal reps, 120°/s) of the knee extensors and flexors in conjunction with sham, 2 mA, and 4 mA tDCS in a double-blind, randomized design. The fatigue index from each condition was calculated. Women had significantly greater knee extensor fatigability in the 4 mA condition compared to men (57.8 ± 6.8% versus 44.1 ± 18.4%; p = 0.041, d = 0.99). This study provides additional evidence that responses to tDCS may be sex-specific and highlights the necessity of accounting and powering for sex differences in future investigations.

Statistical Analysis to Find out the Optimal Locations for Non Invasive Brain Stimulation

Non-invasive brain electrical stimulation (NIBES) techniques are progressively used for modulation of neuronal membrane potentials, which alters cortical excitability. The neuronal activity depends on position of channel locations for electrodes and the amount and direction of injected weak current through the target neurons area. In the present paper hybrid near infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalogram (NIRS-EEG) open access dataset for brain computer interface (BCI) has been used to find the best locations for NIBES. The percentage oxygen saturation has been calculated with the help of provided NIRS experimental dataset of changes in concentration of oxy-hemoglobin (HbO₂) and deoxy-hemoglobin (Hb) in thirty-six scalp site locations of twenty-eight healthy subjects. The variation in standard deviation have been calculated for given pre-processed EEG signals of thirty locations for same twenty-eight healthy subjects. The statistical one-way ANOVA method has been used to find out the best channels and locations which are having less variation in all motion artifacts. In this method, F value is calculated for these locations and those locations are selected which are significant at 99% confidence interval (P < 0.01). In this study, out of sixty-six locations sixteen best locations have been selected for non-invasive brain electrical stimulation. This pilot study has been used to find out the appropriate locations on the scalp sites to place the electrodes to provide weak direct current stimulation which are less affected by motion artifacts.

Increased leg muscle fatigability during 2 mA and 4 mA transcranial direct current stimulation over the left motor cortex

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using intensities ≤ 2 mA on physical and cognitive outcomes has been extensively investigated. Studies comparing the effects of different intensities of tDCS have yielded mixed results and little is known about how higher intensities (> 2 mA) affect outcomes. This study examined the effects of tDCS at 2 mA and 4 mA on leg muscle fatigability. This was a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study. Sixteen healthy young adults underwent tDCS at three randomly ordered intensities (sham, 2 mA, 4 mA). Leg muscle fatigability of both legs was assessed via isokinetic fatigue testing (40 maximal reps, 120°/s). Torque- and work-derived fatigue indices (FI-T and FI-W, respectively), as well as total work performed (TW), were calculated. FI-T of the right knee extensors indicated increased fatigability in 2 mA and 4 mA compared with sham (p = 0.01, d = 0.73 and p < 0.001, d = 1.61, respectively). FI-W of the right knee extensors also indicated increased fatigability in 2 mA and 4 mA compared to sham (p = 0.01, d = 0.57 and p < 0.001, d = 1.12, respectively) and 4 mA compared with 2 mA (p = 0.034, d = 0.37). tDCS intensity did not affect TW performed. The 2 mA and 4 mA tDCS intensities increased the fatigability of the right knee extensors in young, healthy participants, potentially from altered motor unit recruitment/discharge rate or cortical hyperexcitability. Despite this increase in fatigability, the TW performed in both these conditions was not different from sham.