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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of motor cortex enhances running performance
Seung-Bo Park1, Dong Jun Sung2, Bokyung Kim1
1Department of Physiology, KU Open Innovation Center, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Chungju, Chungbuk, South Korea.
Plos One
|February 23, 2019
Summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved running time to exhaustion in trained men. This non-invasive brain stimulation technique enhanced endurance without altering perceived exertion or cardiorespiratory responses.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Sports Science
Background:
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique.
- tDCS has shown potential for enhancing exercise performance by modulating neuronal excitability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of tDCS on submaximal running time to exhaustion (TTE).
- To examine the impact of tDCS on rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and cardiorespiratory responses during exercise.
- To determine if tDCS applied over the primary motor cortex (M1) improves endurance performance.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, single-blinded, counterbalanced study with 10 trained male participants.
- tDCS (1.98 mA anodal stimulation over M1) or sham stimulation applied for 20 minutes.
- Participants completed a constant-load running test at 80% VO2max, with continuous monitoring of RPE, HR, VO2, VE, RER, and VT.
Main Results:
- tDCS significantly increased running TTE compared to sham (21.18 ± 7.13 min vs. 18.44 ± 6.32 min, p = 0.011).
- No significant differences were observed in RPE, heart rate, VO2, VE, RER, or VT between tDCS and sham conditions.
- tDCS did not alter cardiorespiratory measures or perceived exertion at isotime points.
Conclusions:
- Anodal tDCS over M1 enhances exercise duration in trained individuals.
- The performance enhancement from tDCS is not mediated by changes in cardiorespiratory function or perceived exertion.
- tDCS represents a potential non-pharmacological strategy to improve endurance performance.
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