Name: ALEXANDER DE ARAUJO MENDES
Publication date: 16/08/2024
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| DANILO SALES BOCALINI | Examinador Interno |
| NUNO MANUEL FRADE DE SOUSA | Examinador Externo |
| RICHARD DIEGO LEITE | Presidente |
Summary: Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on push and pull peak force in both the dominant and non-dominant arms during push and pull movements, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), pain, and affective response in physically active young men. Method: Twenty healthy and physically active young men underwent the each of the following experimental conditions in a randomized order with 48-hour intervals between each experimental condition: control, sham (simulated stimulation), and active (15 minutes of real stimulation - Anodal (M1 - primary motor cortex) / Cathodal (T3). Subsequently, participants performed five maximum concentric isokinetic push-pull repetitions with a one-minute rest interval between sets at linear speeds of 0.24m/s, 0.43m/s and 0.61m/s on an isokinetic dynamometer. RPE, pain, and affective response were recorded after each isokinetic set. Results: Except for the dominant limb peak push and pull forces being significantly higher after active stimulation compared to the sham, there were no other significant condition effects. Dominant arm RPE was significantly higher (p<0.05) following the control condition compared to the sham condition at speeds of 0.24m/s and 0.43m/s. There were no other significant RPE condition differences (p>0.05) for either arm across test speeds. Conclusion: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex does not improve upper limb strength, reduce perceived exertion and pain, or induce changes in affective response in physically active young men during pushing and pulling movements.
Keywords: Electrical Stimulation; Peak Force; Rate of Force Development; performance.
