The Effect of concurrent M1 and DLPFC tDCS technology on performance, body composition, depression, anxiety and stress of professional swimmers

Abstract

Introduction: It is very important to pay attention to the physical and mental health of professional athletes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a new method might be useful to reach this goal. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of chronic effects of tDCS technology on performance, body composition, depression, anxiety and stress of professional swimmers. Materials and Methods: 19 male professional swimmers (age: 19.00±2.86 years) participated in the present study. On the first day, body composition, depression, anxiety and stress of athletes were evaluated. On the second day, swimming test was performed; according their pre-test records, participants were randomly divided into tDCS (n=10) and sham (n=9) groups. From the next day, 10 sessions of tDCS on the left hemisphere were applied three days a week. Two days after the last stimulation session, the initial evaluations were repeated. Statistical analysis was done with ANCOVA method. Results: Swimming time records decreased significantly. The stress scores decreased significantly but no significant change was observed in none of the body composition variables (weight, body mass index, total body fat and total body skeletal muscle). Also, there was no significant change in depression and anxiety scores. Discussion: According to the results of the present study, it seems that 10 sessions of tDCS along with the professional swimmers training, improves swimming performance and reduces the stress. Conclusion: According to the results of the present research, use of tDCS as a helpful technology to improve athletes' performance and developing their psychological aspects is recommended.