Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using the Halo Sport device on repeated sprint cycling ability and on cognitive performance. In this triple-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study, nine physically active participants received either a placebo stimulation (Sham) or real stimulation (Halo) for 20 min. Participants then performed 5 × 6-s sprints interspersed with 24 s of active recovery on a cycle ergometer. Peak and mean power output were measured for each sprint. In addition, cognitive performance in terms of reaction time (RT) and accuracy (ACC) was assessed via Stroop test pre- and post-stimulation. There was a significant interaction for mean power output [F(4,32) = 2.98, P = 0.03]. A main treatment effect was observed in all of the repeated sprints apart from the initial one. Halo did not affect RT in either the congruent or incongruent condition but did increase ACC in the incongruent condition [F(1,8) = 10.56, P = 0.012]. These results suggest that tDCS with the Halo Sport system is able to enhance aspects of sprint cycling ability and cognitive performance.
Highlights
Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation is an emerging technique that claims to improve training effects and boost exercise performance
Whole-body exercise better represents real sporting competition than single joint exercise and cycling performance is likely to be more suitable for assessing the ergogenic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Compared with the Sham group, Halo Sport stimulation showed a moderate effect on mean peak power output (ES = 0.53)
Summary
Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation is an emerging technique that claims to improve training effects and boost exercise performance. The rationale for such effects is based on the ability of the stimulation to safely modulate brain excitability and functional plasticity (Angius et al, 2017). Halo Sport uses transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in which weak direct currents (DC) below 2–3 mA is delivered for a period of minutes over the scalp through surface electrodes, termed primers, with the intention of inducing changes in both sides of the motor cortex. The primary motor cortex (M1) is a complex network of interconnected localized groups of neurons with similar inputs and outputs, aimed to control movements (Schieber, 2001). It is claimed that Halo Sport produces changes in motor cortex excitability. One possible mechanism is that the electrical stimulation induces increases in intracortical facilitation and motor cortex excitability, allowing motor-cortex
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