Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left prefrontal cortex does not affect time-trial self-paced cycling performance: Evidence from oscillatory brain activity and power output

AbstractObjectivesTo test the hypothesis that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) influences performance in a 20-min time-trial self-paced exercise and electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillatory brain activity in a group of trained male cyclists.DesignThe study consisted of a pre-registered (https://osf.io/rf95j/), randomised, sham-controlled, single-blind, within-subject design experiment.Methods36 trained male cyclists, age 27 (6.8) years, weight 70.1 (9.5) Kg; VO2max: 54 (6.13) ml.min−1.kg−1, Maximal Power output: 4.77 (0.6) W/kg completed a 20-min time-trial self-paced exercise in three separate sessions, corresponding to three stimulation conditions: anodal, cathodal and sham. tDCS was administered before each test during 20-min at a current intensity of 2.0 mA. The anode electrode was placed over the DLPFC and the cathode in the contralateral shoulder. In each session, power output, heart rate, sRPE and EEG (at baseline and during exercise) was measured.ResultsThere were no differences (F = 0.31, p > 0.05) in power output between the stimulation conditions: anodal (235 W [95%CI 222 - 249 W]; cathodal (235 W [95%CI 222 - 248 W] and sham (234 W [95%CI 220 - 248 W]. Neither heart rate, sRPE nor EEG activity were affected by tDCS (all Ps > 0.05).ConclusiontDCS over the left DLFC did not affect self-paced exercise performance in trained cyclists. Moreover, tDCS did not elicit any change on oscillatory brain activity either at baseline or during exercise. Our data suggest that the effects of tDCS on endurance performance should be taken with caution.

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Transcranial direct current stimulation does not enhance cycling time-trial performance

10.31236/osf.io/fx5tc ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Justin Andre ◽

Ann-Maree Vallence ◽

Hakuei Fujiyama ◽

Jeremiah Peiffer

Keyword(s):

Direct Current ◽

Power Output ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Time Trial ◽

Cycling Performance ◽

Time To Exhaustion ◽

Mean Power ◽

Mean Values ◽

Direct Current Stimulation

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the primary motor cortex (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) have separately been shown to increase performance during fixed-work time-to-exhaustion tasks. No studies have examined application of tDCS to these cortical sites in a single study or during self-paced tasks. Objectives: This study examined the influence of anodal-tDCS (A-tDCS) applied to M1 and DLPFC on cycling performance during a self-paced 16.1-km time trial (TT). Design: randomised cross-over design. Methods: Ten cyclists received 20 min of A-tDCS (1.5 mA) applied to M1, DLPFC or the visual cortex (V1; control), followed by a standardised 10-min warmup and a 16.1-km cycling TT. During the TT, heart rate and power output were continuously recorded and mean values for each quartile of the total TT duration were calculated. Ratings of perceive exertion (RPE) were collected at four, eight, 12 and 16.1 km. RESULTS: No differences were observed for the time-to-complete (p=0.07; BF10=1.24) or mean power output (p=0.09; BF10=1.11) during the 16.1-km TT between the M1 (1443.7±81.0 s and 274±44 W), DLPFC (1428.4±80.0 s and 280±39 W) and V1 (1434.8±9.6 s and 279±44 W) conditions. Both HR and RPE progressively increased from the first quartile of the TT with no differences observed between A-tDCS conditions. CONCLUSION: A-tDCS does not represents a viable method to decrease the physiological and perceptual stress during or enhance the performance of a self-paced cycling TT. Nevertheless, these findings should be viewed with respect to the inherent complexities between performance, fatigue and the brain.

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Modulating oscillatory brain activity correlates of behavioral inhibition using transcranial direct current stimulation

Clinical Neurophysiology ◽

10.1016/j.clinph.2011.09.016 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 123 (5) ◽

pp. 979-984 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Liron Jacobson ◽

Adi Ezra ◽

Uri Berger ◽

Michal Lavidor

Keyword(s):

Direct Current ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Behavioral Inhibition ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Oscillatory Brain Activity

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Oscillatory brain activity and transcranial direct current stimulation in humans

Neuroreport ◽

10.1097/01.wnr.0000127460.08361.84 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 15 (8) ◽

pp. 1307-1310 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

Andrea Antal ◽

Edina T. Varga ◽

Tamas Z. Kincses ◽

Michael A. Nitsche ◽

Walter Paulus

Keyword(s):

Direct Current ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Oscillatory Brain Activity

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Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cycling Time Trial Performance and Prefrontal Cortex Activation

10.20944/preprints202106.0450.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abi Auten ◽

Kristina Cavey ◽

Jacob Reed ◽

Forrest Dolgener ◽

Terence Moriarty

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Direct Current ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Time Trial ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Time Trial Performance ◽

Cycling Time Trial ◽

Cycling Time ◽

Trial Performance

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique that delivers low levels of a constant current via scalp electrodes to specifically targeted areas of the brain. The effects of tDCS on whole-body exercise performance has been of interest in recent literature. The purpose of the current investigation was to investigate if tDCS, administered via Halo Sport, influences time trial performance in trained cyclists, and if changes in exercise performance are associated with prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation and/or muscle oxygenation (SmO2). Methods: Twelve recreationally trained cyclists volunteered to participate in two 10-kilometer time trials following 20 minutes of tDCS or a sham condition. Results: T-tests showed there was no significant difference in performance (time to completion) or physiological measures (BLa-, HR, SmO2, PFC oxygenation) between the Halo and sham conditions. Conclusions: These results indicate that the application of tDCS via Halo Sport does not induce changes in exercise performance or related physiological parameters during a 10-kilometer cycling time trial.

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Influence of transcranial direct current stimulation on inhibition related oscillatory brain activity

IBRO Reports ◽

10.1016/j.ibror.2019.07.1393 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. S440

Author(s):

Bernis Sutcubasi ◽

Emine Elif Tulay ◽

Zeynep Kucuk ◽

Zeynep Tarman ◽

Baris Metin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Direct Current ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Oscillatory Brain Activity

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Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cycling Time Trial Performance and Prefrontal Cortex Activation

Sci ◽

10.3390/sci3030032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 32

Author(s):

Abi Auten ◽

Kristina Cavey ◽

Jacob Reed ◽

Forrest Dolgener ◽

Terence Moriarty

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Direct Current ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Time Trial ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Time Trial Performance ◽

Cycling Time Trial ◽

Cycling Time ◽

Trial Performance

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique that delivers low levels of a constant current via scalp electrodes to specifically targeted areas of the brain. The effects of tDCS on whole-body exercise performance has been of interest in recent literature. The purpose of the current investigation was to investigate if tDCS, administered via Halo Sport, influences time trial performance in trained cyclists, and if changes in exercise performance are associated with prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation and/or muscle oxygenation (SmO2). Methods: Twelve recreationally trained cyclists volunteered to participate in a crossover study design involving two 10-kilometer time trials following 20 min of tDCS or a sham condition. Results: t-tests showed there was no significant difference in performance (time to completion) or physiological measures (blood lactate (BL) concentration, heart rate (HR), SmO2, PFC oxygenation) between the Halo and sham conditions. Conclusions: These results indicate that the application of tDCS via Halo Sport does not induce changes in exercise performance or related physiological parameters during a 10-kilometer cycling time trial.

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