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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Isometric Time to Exhaustion of the Knee Extensors

Angius, Luca, Pageaux, Benjamin, Hopker, James G., Marcora, Samuele Maria, Mauger, Alexis R. (2016) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Isometric Time to Exhaustion of the Knee Extensors. Neuroscience, 339 . pp. 363-375. ISSN 0306-4522. (doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.10.028) (KAR id:59658)

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.10.0...

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can increase cortical excitability of a targeted brain area, which may affect endurance exercise performance. However, optimal electrode placement for tDCS remains unclear. We tested the effect of two different tDCS electrode montages for improving exercise performance. Nine subjects underwent a control (CON), placebo (SHAM) and two different tDCS montage sessions in a randomized design. In one tDCS session, the anodal electrode was placed over the left motor cortex and the cathodal on contralateral forehead (HEAD), while for the other montage the anodal electrode was placed over the left motor cortex and cathodal electrode above the shoulder (SHOULDER). tDCS was delivered for 10min at 2.0mA, after which participants performed an isometric time to exhaustion (TTE) test of the right knee extensors. Peripheral and central neuromuscular parameters were assessed at baseline, after tDCS application and after TTE. Heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and leg muscle exercise-induced muscle pain (PAIN) were monitored during the TTE. TTE was longer and RPE lower in the SHOULDER condition (P<0.05). Central and peripheral parameters, and HR and PAIN did not present any differences between conditions after tDCS stimulation (P>0.05). In all conditions maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) significantly decreased after the TTE (P<0.05) while motor-evoked potential area (MEP) increased after TTE (P<0.05). These findings demonstrate that SHOULDER montage is more effective than HEAD montage to improve endurance performance, likely through avoiding the negative effects of the cathode on excitability.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.10.028
Uncontrolled keywords: tDCS, exercise, performance, brain stimulation
Subjects: Q Science > QP Physiology (Living systems)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Depositing User: Lex Mauger
Date Deposited: 13 Dec 2016 11:47 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 13:40 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/59658 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Hopker, James G.: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4786-7037
Mauger, Alexis R.: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6685-5800
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