Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to explore the acute effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the force–velocity relationship, strength training volume, movement velocity, and ratings of perceived exertion.
Methods
Fourteen healthy men (age 22.8 ± 3.0 years) were randomly stimulated over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with either ANODAL, CATHODAL or SHAM tDCS for 15 min at 2 mA. The one-repetition maximum (1RM) and force–velocity relationship parameters were evaluated during the bench press exercise before and after receiving the tDCS. Subsequently, participants completed a resistance training session consisting of sets of five repetitions with 1 min of inter-set rest against the 75%1RM until failure.
Results
No significant changes were observed in the 1RM or in the force–velocity relationship parameters (p ≥ 0.377). The number of repetitions was higher for the ANODAL compared to the CATHODAL (p = 0.025; ES = 0.37) and SHAM (p = 0.009; ES = 0.47) conditions. The reductions of movement velocity across sets were lower for the ANODAL than for the CATHODAL and SHAM condition (p = 0.014). RPE values were lower for the ANODAL compared to the CATHODAL (p = 0.119; ES = 0.33) and SHAM (p = 0.150; ES = 0.44) conditions. No significant differences between the CATHODAL and SHAM conditions were observed for any variable.
Conclusion
The application of ANODAL tDCS before a resistance training session increased training volume, enabled the maintenance of higher movement velocities, and reduced RPE values. These results suggest that tDCS could be an effective method to enhance resistance-training performance.
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Abbreviations
- a.u.:
-
Arbitrary units
- BP:
-
Bench press
- DLPC:
-
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- F–V :
-
Force–velocity relationship
- F 0 :
-
Regression parameter (F-intercept) depicting maximum force
- L–V :
-
Load velocity relationship
- M1:
-
Primary motor cortex
- PFC:
-
Prefrontal cortex
- P max :
-
Regression parameter [(F0·V0)/4] depicting maximum power
- RPE:
-
Rating of perceived exertion
- tDCS:
-
Transcranial direct current stimulation
- V 0 :
-
Regression parameter (V-intercept) depicting maximum velocity
- 1RM:
-
One repetition maximum
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We would like to thank all the subjects who selflessly participated in the study.
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CA-F, AG-R, DC-P and GM conceived the study design. CA-F, GC-N, DC-P and GM conducted the experiments. AG-R and GM conducted the statistical analyses. AG-R, DC-P, SR-A, MF-O and GM interpreted the results. CA-F, AG-R, DC-P, SR-A, MF-O and GM: wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript version.
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Alix-Fages, C., García-Ramos, A., Calderón-Nadal, G. et al. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation enhances strength training volume but not the force–velocity profile. Eur J Appl Physiol 120, 1881–1891 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04417-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04417-2