The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Brain on the Interference Control in Athletes and Non-Athletes

Oral Presentation XML
Paper ID : 1046-12THCONG
Oral / Poster Presentation File: 1046-12THCONG.mp4 
Authors
1MSc at Motor Behavior, Sport Sciences Faculty, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2Department of Motor Behavior, Sport Sciences Faculty, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
3Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Sciences, School of Humanities, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran.
Abstract
Interference and the importance of attention-sharing are common features of the experience of dual task assignments in various sports such as opponent defensive faking and daily activities.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation of the left and right posterior prefrontal cortex on interference control in athlete and non-athlete.
This study was a semi-experimental study with a pre-post test design with control group in the manner single blind. The participants included female players of Shadegan basketball and handball sports teams and non-athletes included female students of Payam-e-Noor University of 18-30 years who were selected conveniently. The sample size for each of the athlete and non-athlete groups was 24. Each group was randomly divided into one of groups: real and artificial stimulation (sham). Actual stimulation and sham stimulation at 2 mA for 20 minutes were presented over three sessions. Anode stimulation was applied to the left dorsal prefrontal cortex and cathode stimulation to the right lateral dorsal prefrontal cortex. The response time mean in the Stroop's test was evaluated before and after stimulation for assessing of interference control.
According to the results of the Mixed ANOVA 2(group)×2(stimulus/sham) and post hoc tests there was a significant difference (p≤0.05) between pre-post test in the response time mean variable in both athlete and non-athlete groups.Conclusion: The results showed that direct electrical stimulation improves performance on the response time mean in athlete and non-athlete subjects. Therefore, it is recommended for all athletes to use this method which is a non-invasive and safe, to improve athletic performance along with physical exercise. It is also an adjunctive therapy tool that healthy individuals can use to enhance brain function.
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