Abstract
BackgroundTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is promising for improving motor and cognitive performance. Nevertheless, its mechanisms of action are unclear and need to be better characterised according to the stimulated brain area and the type of exercise performed.Methods/designThis is a double-blind crossover study, organised into two parts: the first is to assess the effects of tDCS on explosive performance (jump task) and the second is to assess the effects on endurance performance (cycling time trial task). Participants, who are recreationally active or athletes (parkour practitioners, cyclists), will receive two active tDCS sessions (over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right motor cortex) and one sham tDCS session (part A), or two sequences (one active and one sham) of two daily tDCS sessions over 5 days (part B). Motor and cognitive performance will be compared before and after tDCS sessions (part A), and before and after the first session, after the last session and at day 12 and day 30 of each tDCS sequence (part B).DiscussionThis study investigates the acute and repeated effects of tDCS on the motor and cognitive performance of healthy subjects. It will try to evaluate if tDCS could be considered as a neuroenhancement technology according to the physical task investigated (endurance versus explosive).Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03937115. Registered on 3 May 2019; retrospectively registered.
Highlights
Transcranial direct current stimulation is promising for improving motor and cognitive performance
This study investigates the acute and repeated effects of Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the motor and cognitive performance of healthy subjects
It will try to evaluate if tDCS could be considered as a neuroenhancement technology according to the physical task investigated
Summary
COMPETE is an ambitious protocol that will seek to understand the acute and long-term effects of tDCS on physical performance. It will compare the tDCS effects on two types of exercise (explosive vs endurance) using a different administration mode (single vs repeated sessions). To the best of our knowledge, this study will be the first to assess the effect of tDCS on different sport performance by gathering psychometric and neuromuscular measurements. It will determine whether and how the improvement or disruption of the cognitive dimensions studied (mood, motivation, and impulsivity) could affect explosive and/or endurance performance.
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