Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Improves Inhibitory Control and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Science
• Human Performance

Background:

• The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is vital for inhibitory control, a key executive function for self-regulation.
• Inhibitory control is increasingly recognized for its role in endurance performance.
• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left DLPFC (L-DLPFC) has shown potential to enhance inhibitory control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of tDCS on inhibitory control and endurance performance in healthy individuals.
• To determine if tDCS applied to the L-DLPFC can improve both cognitive and physical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Twelve healthy participants underwent either real or sham tDCS, with the anodal electrode placed over the L-DLPFC.
• Inhibitory control was assessed using a Stroop test.
• Endurance performance was measured via a cycling time to exhaustion (TTE) test, monitoring heart rate, perceived exertion, and lactate levels.

Main Results:

• Real tDCS significantly improved Stroop task performance, reducing errors on incongruent stimuli.
• Cycling TTE was significantly longer after real tDCS compared to sham.
• Lower heart rate and perceived exertion were observed during TTE with real tDCS, alongside higher blood lactate accumulation.

Conclusions:

• tDCS applied to the L-DLPFC provides preliminary evidence for enhancing both inhibitory control and endurance cycling performance.
• These findings suggest a potential non-invasive method to improve executive functions and physical capacity.