Does prefrontal cortex transcranial direct current stimulation influence the oxygen uptake at rest and post-exercise?

The study evaluated the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over prefrontal cortex on the oxygen uptake (V˙ O2) at rest and during post-exercise recovery. The V˙ O2 was assessed in eleven healthy subjects before, during tDCS (sham or anodal tDCS, 2 mA, 20 min), and 30-min following isocaloric aerobic exercise (~200 kcal). During tDCS, no changes were observed on V˙ O2 compared to baseline (P=0.95) and sham condition (P=0.85). The association between isocaloric exercise and anodal tDCS increased the V˙ O2 throughout 30-min recovery compared to sham condition (P<0.001). Therefore, the energy expenditure within the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) period, after anodal tDCS was approximately 19% higher compared to the sham condition (P<0.05). In conclusion, anodal tDCS applied on the prefrontal cortex combined with submaximal aerobic exercise increased the EPOC, enhancing the V˙ O2 and energy expenditure at least for 30-min of recovery.