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Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Capacity to Perform Burpees

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Primary Motor Cortex
Interventions
Device: tDCS targeting M1
Device: tDCS targeting DLPFC
Device: SHAM tDCS
Registration Number
NCT06472882
Lead Sponsor
Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia
Brief Summary

Introduction and Background:

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a potential intervention to improve physical performance. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on performance in a maximal effort task, specifically the No Jump Burpee exercise.

Study Design:

This study will utilize a double-blind crossover design, where each subject will complete three experimental conditions: a-DLPFC, a-M1, and SHAM.

Participants:

Twenty healthy male subjects will be recruited for the study.

Intervention:

Each participant will undergo three conditions in a randomized order:

a-DLPFC: tDCS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

a-M1: tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex. SHAM: Placebo stimulation.

Procedure:

Prior to performing the No Jump Burpee exercise to exhaustion, tDCS will be administered at a current of 2 milliampere (mA) for 20 minutes.

Measurements:

The following variables will be measured during the exercise:

Total number of repetitions of the No Jump Burpee exercise. Vastus lateralis muscle oxygen saturation. Heart rate. Subjective perception of exertion (RPE).

Data Analysis:

Repeated measures ANOVAs will be used to analyze the effects of the different tDCS conditions on the performance outcomes.

Ethical Considerations:

The study protocol will be reviewed and approved by an appropriate ethics committee. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before participation in the study.

Objectives:

The primary objective is to evaluate the impact of tDCS on physical performance, specifically measuring the total number of repetitions of the No Jump Burpee exercise. Secondary objectives include assessing the changes in muscle oxygen saturation, heart rate, and subjective perception of exertion.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • Healthy subject.
  • No use of any ergogenic substance.
  • Participants must be recreationally active, defined as engaging in moderate physical activity at least 3 times per week for the past 6 months
Exclusion Criteria
  • Any contraindications to transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, such as metallic implants in the head, active implanted medical devices (e.g., pacemakers), or skin conditions affecting the scalp.
  • Current or recent (within the past 6 months) substance abuse, including alcohol or recreational drugs.
  • Musculoskeletal injury within the past 6 weeks.
  • Lower extremity pain above 3 or more according to numeric pain scale.
  • History of epilepsy or convulsive crisis.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
tDCS Targeting the Primary Motor Cortex (M1)tDCS targeting M1Participants in this arm will receive transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) targeting the primary motor cortex (M1). The tDCS will be administered at an intensity of 2 mA for 20 minutes. This arm aims to evaluate the effects of M1 stimulation on performance during a maximal effort "No Jump Burpee" exercise.
tDCS Targeting the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC)tDCS targeting DLPFCParticipants in this arm will receive transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) targeting the DLPFC. The tDCS will be administered at an intensity of 2 mA for 20 minutes. This arm aims to evaluate the effects of DLPFC stimulation on performance during a maximal effort "No Jump Burpee" exercise.
SHAM tDCSSHAM tDCSParticipants in this arm will receive a sham tDCS session, which simulates the experience of tDCS without actual stimulation. This arm serves as a control to ensure the blinding of participants and evaluators.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of "No Jump Burpees" to ExhaustionMeasured immediately at the end of each experimental session (DLPFC, M1, SHAM), approximately 5-10 minutes after the start of the test..

The primary objective of the study is to measure the number of repetitions of the "No Jump Burpee" exercise that participants can perform until exhaustion. This exercise is performed at a cadence of 20 burpees per minute, and exhaustion is determined when the participant can no longer maintain the correct pace or technique.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Muscle Oxygen Saturation in the Vastus LateralisMeasured continuously at a frequency of 1 Hz during the exercise, from the start until the participant reaches exhaustion, approximately 5-15 minutes per session.

Continuous measurement of muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) using a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device.

Heart Rate During ExerciseMeasured continuously on a beat-by-beat basis during the exercise, from the start until the participant reaches exhaustion, approximately 5-15 minutes per session.

Continuous measurement of heart rate during the performance of the "No Jump Burpee" exercise until exhaustion.

Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)Measured every 20 seconds during exercise, from the start until the participant reaches exhaustion, approximately 5-15 minutes per session.

Assessment of perceived exertion using the Borg CR10 scale, measured every 20 seconds during exercise.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Catholic University of Murcia

🇪🇸

Guadalupe, Murcia, Spain

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