Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Soccer Players: A Mini-Review
This mini-review discusses the use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to enhance motor and cognitive performance in soccer players, highlighting its effects on muscle strength and fatigue. It calls for more targeted research and personalized protocols to optimize its application.
Background: This mini-review explores the application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in enhancing cognitive and motor performance in soccer players. This review synthesizes findings from recent studies focusing on tDCS’s impact on the primary Motor Cortex (M1) and the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (dlPFC).
Results: studies conducted to date show that tDCS can enhance muscle strength, reduce perceived fatigue, and improve well-being in soccer players. For instance, anodal tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex has been shown to temporarily increase quadriceps strength, while stimulation of the dlPFC has improved recovery post-match and enhanced cognitive functions like reaction time and implicit motor learning.
Conclusion: the mini-review highlights the need for more targeted research, emphasizing the importance of individualized protocols and advanced neuroimaging techniques to better understand tDCS’s mechanisms and optimize its use in sports. Future directions suggest adopting neurocircuit-based strategies such as RDoC to tailor interventions more precisely to athletes’ needs. This integration could potentially maximize the benefits of tDCS, offering a holistic approach to enhancing athletic performance and recovery in soccer players.