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Research
- 29 July 2024

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Enhancing Professional Soccer Players' Performance

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is an innovative therapy that holds significant potential for improving the performance of professional soccer players, as highlighted by the recent scientific contribution of Dr. Stefano Pallanti.

tDCS in Sports A New Scientific Contribution by Dr. Stefano Pallanti

Scientific research in the field of neuromodulation therapies is rapidly evolving. These are a range of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques that utilize various stimulation techniques to penetrate the skull and promote neural plasticity. Recently, increasing attention has been given to using these techniques not only to treat pathological conditions but also to enhance cognitive and motor performance in healthy individuals and professional athletes.

One such technique, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), has gained significant attention for its potential applications in sports, particularly soccer. A recent literature review by Dr. Stefano Pallanti has demonstrated the effectiveness of this non-invasive and non-pharmacological technique in boosting the performance of professional soccer players, opening up important new possibilities for the use of this painless therapy in high-level sports settings.

What is tDCS?

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that involves applying a weak electrical current to the scalp to stimulate or inhibit the neural activity of specific brain regions.

The treatment uses electrodes that deliver a continuous low-intensity current, making the procedure completely painless. These electrodes are placed on the scalp over the target brain areas and work by either increasing or decreasing the excitability of nerve cells, depending on the type of current used.

tDCS is considered a highly safe and well-tolerated therapy, especially appreciated for its simplicity, accessibility, and safety. These characteristics make it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, from treating Depression to optimizing athletic performance — all without the need for invasive or pharmacological interventions.

tDCS in SportsInnovation for High-Level Performance

How can tDCS improve soccer players' performance?

Dr. Stefano Pallanti's recent review article focused on a critical analysis of the latest scientific research investigating the effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on enhancing cognitive and motor performance in soccer players. Specifically, the article examined studies that targeted the primary motor cortex (M1) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), two brain areas crucial for planning, executing, and controlling athletic movements.

The findings highlighted by Dr. Pallanti are promising: tDCS has been shown to improve various aspects critical to high-level sports performance on the field, including:

  • Muscle strength: Some studies suggest that tDCS can increase muscle strength, enhancing soccer players' ability to generate power.

  • Physical recovery: tDCS appears to accelerate physical recovery after training or matches, reducing fatigue and improving overall well-being.

  • Cognitive functions: Some research indicates that tDCS can enhance cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and reaction speed — all crucial skills for soccer players.

Although the results are promising, the use of tDCS in sports still faces some challenges that require further investigation, especially to establish optimal stimulation protocols and fully understand the mechanisms underlying the observed positive effects. Nevertheless, Dr. Pallanti's contribution suggests that tDCS could represent a new frontier in athletic training, offering professional soccer players the opportunity to safely and non-invasively enhance their performance through the development of highly personalized sports programs that integrate cutting-edge therapies based on solid scientific evidence.

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Events
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09 July 2025

Summer School on Affective Neuroscience 2025. Summer Course on Mood, Aggression and Attraction.

On July 9, 2025, Dr. Pallanti will speak at the Summer School on Affective Neuroscience on Mood, Aggression & Attraction with a lecture on "TMS for behavioral addiction.

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Events
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17 June 2025

CINP (The International College of Neuropsychopharmacology) Congress, the 36th World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology and the 9th Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology Joint Congress.

Dr. Stefano Pallanti will participate in the CINP (The International College of Neuropsychopharmacology) Congress, specifically the 36th World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology and the 9th Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology Joint Congress. He will deliver a presentation titled "Precision Psychiatry CINP GNC Symposium: From Biomarker Discovery to Therapeutic Innovation Toward Personalized Mental Health Care."  The congress will take place in Melbourne, Australia, from June 15th to 18th, 2025.

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Events
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13 June 2025

International Conference on Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome: from neuroinflammation to clinical practice.

Dr. Stefano Pallanti will participate in the conference as one of the leading experts on PANS/PANDAS and neuroinflammation and will give a presentation entitled "The Neuroinflammation Hypothesis in Psychiatry".  It will take place at the Palacongressi of the G. Martino University Hospital in Messina on 13 and 14 June 2025.

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