Research Trends and Prospects of Combined Application of tDCS and Physical Training in Sports
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63750/rcm0br75Keywords:
Transcranial direct current stimulation, physical training, sports, combined interventionAbstract
This review systematically explores the research trends in the combined application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and cognitive-related tasks in sports, analyzing its theoretical foundations and physiological mechanisms, diagnosing its current status and limitations, and proposing future research directions. The analysis results indicate that the combined intervention shows stronger enhancing effects in specific domains (e.g., executive function, motor skill acquisition speed, skill retention) compared to the application of tDCS alone. However, several unresolved issues persist, such as insufficient optimization of stimulation parameters, limited consideration of individual differences, ecological validity concerns in laboratory settings, and a lack of evidence for long-term effects and safety. The conclusion states that this combined application is a promising research paradigm. Future research should focus on: developing optimized and personalized protocols, enhancing field applicability, validating long-term effects and safety, elucidating neurophysiological mechanisms, and establishing ethical standards.
Downloads
References
Alix-Fages, C., García-Ramos, A., Calderón-Nadal, G., San Juan, A. F., & Colomer-Poveda, D. (2020). Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation enhances strength training volume but not the force-velocity profile. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 120(8), 1881–1891.
Cogiamanian, F., Marceglia, S., Ardolino, G., Barbieri, S., & Priori, A. (2007). Improved isometric force endurance after transcranial direct current stimulation over the human motor cortical areas. European Journal of Neuroscience, 26(1), 242–249.
Hendy, A. M., & Kidgell, D. J. (2013). Anodal tDCS applied during strength training enhances motor cortical plasticity. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 45(9), 1721–1729.
Hendy, A. M., & Kidgell, D. J. (2014). Anodal-tDCS applied during unilateral strength training increases strength and corticospinal excitability in the untrained homologous muscle. Experimental Brain Research, 232(10), 3243–3252.
Hendy, A. M., Teo, W. P., & Kidgell, D. J. (2015). Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation prolongs the cross-education of strength and corticomotor plasticity. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47(9), 1788–1797.
Liu, J., Li, C., Fang, J., Zhou, Y., & Chen, X. (2024). Effects of physical training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on maximal strength and lower limb explosive strength in healthy adults. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, 1446588.
Maeda, K., Yamaguchi, T., Tatemoto, T., Kondo, K., & Otaka, Y. (2017). Transcranial direct current stimulation does not affect lower extremity muscle strength training in healthy individuals: A triple-blind, sham-controlled study. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 11, 179.
Marcos-Frutos, D., López-Alonso, V., Mera-González, I., & Fernández-del-Olmo, M. (2023). Chronic functional adaptations induced by the application of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with exercise programs: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(21), 6724.
Moshashaei, M. S., Gandomi, F., Amiri, E., & Bagheri, R. (2024). Anodal tDCS improves the effect of neuromuscular training on the feedforward activity of lower extremity muscles in female taekwondo athletes with dynamic knee valgus. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 20007.
Ni, L., Li, D., Wu, K., et al. (2022). Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with squat training on lower limb anaerobic power. In Chinese Society of Sports Science, Abstract Compilation of the 12th National Sports Science Conference – Poster Exchange (Physical Training Branch) (pp. 41–42). Wuhan Sports University.
Nitsche, M. A., & Paulus, W. (2000). Excitability changes induced in the human motor cortex by weak transcranial direct current stimulation. The Journal of Physiology, 527(Pt 3), 633–639.
Qi, S., Yu, J., Li, L., Liu, Y., & Zhang, X. (2024). Advances in non-invasive brain stimulation: Enhancing sports performance function and insights into exercise science. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 18, 1477111.
Reis, J., Schambra, H. M., Cohen, L. G., Buch, E. R., Fritsch, B., Zarahn, E., Celnik, P. A., & Krakauer, J. W. (2009). Noninvasive cortical stimulation enhances motor skill acquisition over multiple days through an effect on consolidation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106(5), 1590–1595.
Smorawiński, J., Kaciuba-Uściłko, H., Nazar, K., Kubica, R., Greenleaf, J. E., Kruk, B., & Chwalbińska-Moneta, J. (2000). Effects of three-day bed rest on metabolic, hormonal and circulatory responses to an oral glucose load in endurance or strength trained athletes and untrained subjects. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 51(2), 279–289.
Steinberg, F., Pixa, N. H., & Fregni, F. (2019). A review of acute aerobic exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation effects on cognitive functions and their potential synergies. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 534.
Sun, M. (2025). Effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation combined with blood flow restriction training on lower limb explosive power [Master's thesis, Jianghan University].
Vitor-Costa, M., Okuno, N. M., Bortolotti, H., Bertollo, M., Sobral, P. R., & Altimari, L. R. (2015). Improving cycling performance: Transcranial direct current stimulation increases time to exhaustion in cycling. PLoS ONE, 10(12), e0144916.
Wang, B., Xiao, S., Yu, C., Zhou, J., & Fu, W. (2021). Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with physical training on the excitability of the motor cortex, physical performance, and motor learning: A systematic review. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, 648354.
Wang, J. (2025). Research on the effect of tDCS combined with blood flow restriction training on upper limb strength in male college students [Master's thesis, Jianghan University].
Wang, Z. (2024a). Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with variable resistance training on lower limb explosive power in sprinters [Master's thesis, Wuhan Sports University].
Wang, Z. (2024b). Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with strength training on the vertical jump ability of university athletes [Master's thesis, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports].
Washabaugh, E. P., Santos, L., Claflin, E. S., & Krishnan, C. (2016). Low-level intermittent quadriceps activity during transcranial direct current stimulation facilitates knee extensor force-generating capacity. Neuroscience, 329, 93–97.
Wu, K. (2023). Research on the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation combined with unilateral training on lower limb explosive power in male sports college students [Master's thesis, Wuhan Sports University].
Wu, L. (2023). Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with blood flow restriction training on skeletal muscle strength and anaerobic exercise capacity [Master's thesis, Jianghan University].
Xiao, S., Wang, B., Yu, C., Zhang, X., & Fu, W. (2022). Effects of intervention combining transcranial direct current stimulation and foot core exercise on sensorimotor function in foot and static balance. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 19(1), 98.
Xing, Y., & Xie, E. (2025). Effect of tDCS combined with exercise intervention on vertical jump height in physical education major students. Journal of Anhui Sports Science, 46(2), 7–10, 20.
Yang, S. (2024). Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with the 3/7 strength training method on lower limb maximal strength in male college students [Master's thesis, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports].
Yang, X., Wu, J., Tang, Y., Shen, Y., & Zhang, H. (2024). Effects of anodic transcranial direct current stimulation combined with physical training on the performance of elite swimmers. Frontiers in Physiology, 15, 1383491.
Zhou, Y. (2021). Effects of Halo Sport2 tDCS headphones combined with resistance training on vertical jump performance in male college students [Master's thesis, Beijing Sport University].
Zhou, Y., Zhai, H., & Wei, H. (2024). Acute effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with high-load resistance exercises on repetitive vertical jump performance and EEG characteristics in healthy men. Life, 14(9), 1106.
Zhou, Z., & Liu, D. (2025). Effects of "neuro-enhancement" perspective: Transcranial direct current technology combined with loaded resistance on post-activation performance enhancement in male track and field athletes. Journal of Beijing Sport University, 48(5), 107–119.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Jin-Hyok Choe, Jong-Chol Jo, Hyok-Jun Ji, Ju-Song Kim, Gum-Chol Jo (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright & Licensing Policy:
- Open Access Policy: This journal follows a fully Open Access model, which means all published research articles are freely available to readers without any subscription or access fees. Anyone can read, download, copy, distribute, print, and cite the published work without restrictions, as long as they comply with the journal’s licensing terms.
- Copyright & License:
- All articles published in this journal are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
- This license allows unrestricted reuse and distribution, provided that proper credit is given to the original author and source.
- Authors retain full copyright ownership of their work while granting the journal the right to publish it for the first time under this license.
- Author Responsibilities:
- Authors must agree to the journal’s licensing terms before publication.
- Submitted manuscripts must be original and not published or under consideration elsewhere during the review process.
- Any reuse of published content by third parties must comply with the CC BY 4.0 license, ensuring no additional restrictions are imposed on reuse.
- Publication Fees (free to publish):
- This journal (free to publish) does not charge any fees for access to published research, supporting the principle of free and open scientific knowledge for all.
