Improvements in short sprint performance by combining hopping and transcranial direct current stimulation

抄録

The optimization of descending motor commands from the central nervous system is essential for maximizing performance during short-distance running. Recent studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate central nervous system excitability and enhance exercise performance. Additionally, plyometric exercise is known to enhance instantaneous motor performance. However, the combined effects of tDCS and plyometric exercise remain poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the combined effects of anodal tDCS and plyometric conditioning exercises on short-distance sprint running. Eleven university athletes were asked to perform a 20-meter sprint test both before (pre-test) and after tDCS (post-test). Before the pre-test, the participants engaged in jogging, stretching, and incremental 20-meter sprint exercises. After the pre-test, anodal tDCS was applied to the cortical leg area. Following tDCS, plyometric hopping exercises were performed, and a post-test was conducted. The intensity and duration of the stimulation were 2 mA and 15 min, respectively. Sham stimulations were performed on different days using the same experimental procedure. The post-test time was significantly shorter than the pre-test time in both the anodal and sham tDCS conditions. Further, the improvement rate in the post-test was significantly higher in the anodal tDCS condition than in the sham tDCS condition. These findings indicate that combined anodal tDCS and prior plyometric exercise can optimize descending motor commands and peripheral motor function, thereby improving short-sprint running performance.