Could tDCS Be a Potential Performance-Enhancing Tool for Acute Neurocognitive Modulation in eSports? A Perspective Review

Sergio Machado,Diogo S Teixeira,Filipe Rodrigues,Diogo Monteiro,Bruno Travassos,Luis Cid

doi:10.3390/ijerph18073678

Abstract

Competitive sports involve physical and cognitive skills. In traditional sports, there is a greater dependence on the development and performance of both motor and cognitive skills, unlike electronic sports (eSports), which depend much more on neurocognitive skills for success. However, little is known about neurocognitive functions and effective strategies designed to develop and optimize neurocognitive performance in eSports athletes. One such strategy is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), characterized as a weak electric current applied on the scalp to induce prolonged changes in cortical excitability. Therefore, our objective is to propose anodal (a)-tDCS as a performance-enhancing tool for neurocognitive functions in eSports. In this manuscript, we discussed the neurocognitive processes that underlie exceptionally skilled performances in eSports and how tDCS could be used for acute modulation of these processes in eSports. Based on the results from tDCS studies in healthy people, professional athletes, and video game players, it seems that tDCS is applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as a potential performance-enhancing tool for neurocognition in eSports.

Highlights

The use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as an ergogenic resource has received great attention in recent years, with results showing more evidence of its performance benefits. These results are important because they serve as an impetus to explore the potential of tDCS as a performance-enhancing tool for neurocognition in electronic sports (eSports)
Within this context, based on some studies about the effects of tDCS on modulation of acute neurocognitive processing in healthy people, professional athletes, and eAthletes, we suggest that anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) could be considered a potential performanceenhancing tool for acute neurocognitive modulation for eSports performance
The advantages of tDCS use have been discussed in the literature, such as being easyto-use, its low price, no severe adverse effects, and its ethical and legal issues—concerning its transition from academic studies to general-public use—with no prohibition from the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA)

Summary

A Perspective Review

Sergio Machado 1,2,3 , Bruno Travassos 2,4,5 , Diogo S. Teixeira 6,7 , Filipe Rodrigues 8,9 , Luis Cid 4,8 and Diogo Monteiro 4,10, *. Laboratory of Physical Activity Neuroscience, Neurodiversity Institute, Queimados 26325-020, Brazil. Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation, 1495-433 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal. Research Center in Sport, Physical Education, and Exercise and Health (CIDEFES), (CIDEFES), 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal. D.S.; Rodrigues, F.; Cid, L.; Monteiro, D.

Introduction

Conclusions