Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is currently under investigation as a promising technique for enhancement of athletic performance through modulating cortical excitability. Through consecutive randomization, 12 experienced bodybuilders were randomly assigned to two arms receiving either sham or real tDCS over the primary motor cortex (leg area) and left temporal cortex (T3) for 13 minutes in the first session. After 72 hours, both groups received the inverse stimulation. After the brain stimulation, cerebral hemodynamic response (using frontopolar hemoencephalography) was examined upon taking three computer-based cognitive tasks i.e. reasoning, memory and verbal ability using the Cambridge Brain Science-Cognitive Platform. Subsequently, the bodybuilders performed knee extension exercise while performance indicators including one-repetition maximum (1RM), muscular endurance (SEI), heart rate (ECG), motivation (VAS), surface electromyography over quadriceps femoris muscle (sEMG) and perceived exertion (RPE) were evaluated. The real tDCS vs. sham group showed decreased RPE and HR mean scores by 14.2% and 4.9%, respectively. Regarding muscular strength, endurance, and electrical activity, the 1RM, SEI, and sEMG factors improved by 4.4%, 16.9%, and % 5.8, respectively. Meanwhile, compared to sham, real tDCS did not affect the athletes’ motivation. Incidentally, it turned out that subjects who underwent T3 anodal stimulation outperformed in memory (p = 0.02) and verbal functions (0.02) as well as their corresponding frontopolar hemodynamic response [(memory HEG (p = 0.001) and verbal HEG (p = 0.003)]. Our findings suggest that simultaneous tDCS-induced excitation over the M1 leg area and left temporal area may potentially improve the overall athletic performance in experienced bodybuilders (Trial registration: IRCT20181104041543N1, Registered on 4 Nov. 2018, retrospectively registered).
Highlights
In competitive sports, three principles including faster, higher, and stronger hold significant importance in professional and amateur athletes
Short-term endurance: The findings revealed that compared to sham, real transcranial direct current simulation (tDCS) could significantly (p = 0.004) increase the participants’ mean short-term endurance score (SEI) by 16.9% (Fig 2)
Rated perceived exertion: The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the participants’ PE in sessions 1 and 2 tDCS
Summary
Three principles including faster, higher, and stronger hold significant importance in professional and amateur athletes. In 2013, Davis coined the word ‘neurodoping’ which is representative of using advanced techniques for mental and physical enhancement of athletes [2]. The compelling idea of incorporating neuroscience in sport as well as he relationship between industry and science has led to the knowledge-based products for improving professional athletes’ performance (www.haloneuro.com) [2]. Factors such as motor learning, muscular strength, fatigue or even processing speed for specific motor skills may gain through non-invasive brain stimulation methods [3]
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