Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Capacity to Perform Burpees

Summary

Introduction and Background:

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a potential intervention to improve physical performance. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on performance in a maximal effort task, specifically the No Jump Burpee exercise.

Study Design:

This study will utilize a double-blind crossover design, where each subject will complete three experimental conditions: a-DLPFC, a-M1, and SHAM.

Participants:

Twenty healthy male subjects will be recruited for the study.

Intervention:

Each participant will undergo three conditions in a randomized order:

a-DLPFC: tDCS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

a-M1: tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex. SHAM: Placebo stimulation.

Procedure:

Prior to performing the No Jump Burpee exercise to exhaustion, tDCS will be administered at a current of 2 milliampere (mA) for 20 minutes.

Measurements:

The following variables will be measured during the exercise:

Total number of repetitions of the No Jump Burpee exercise. Vastus lateralis muscle oxygen saturation. Heart rate. Subjective perception of exertion (RPE).

Data Analysis:

Repeated measures ANOVAs will be used to analyze the effects of the different tDCS conditions on the performance outcomes.

Ethical Considerations:

The study protocol will be reviewed and approved by an appropriate ethics committee. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before participation in the study.

Objectives:

The primary objective is to evaluate the impact of tDCS on physical performance, specifically measuring the total number of repetitions of the No Jump Burpee exercise. Secondary objectives include assessing the changes in muscle oxygen saturation, heart rate, and subjective perception of exertion.

Conditions

• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
• Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
• Primary Motor Cortex

Interventions

DEVICE

tDCS targeting DLPFC

The anodic electrode will be placed on the left DLPFC (area F3) and the cathode on the right orbitofrontal cortex (area Fp2). Participants will receive 20 minutes of tDCS at 2 mA while seated.

DEVICE

tDCS targeting M1

The anodes will be placed over C3 and C4 (according to EEG 10-20 system), and the cathodes over the ipsilateral shoulders. Participants will receive 20 minutes of tDCS at 2 mA while seated.

DEVICE

SHAM tDCS

The electrodes will be placed as in the other conditions, but the stimulation will be switched off after 30 seconds, providing an initial stinging sensation without continuous stimulation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of A Coruna, La Coruna, Spain

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-01-06

Primary Completion

2024-03-08

Completion

2024-04-15

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations