Effects of Preceding Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Movement Velocity and EMG Signal during the Back Squat Exercise

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preceding anodal transcranial direct stimulation (a-tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during the back squat exercise on movement velocity and surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity. Thirteen healthy, well-trained, male firefighters (34.72 ± 3.33 years; 178 ± 7.61 cm; 76.85 ± 11.21 kg; 26.8 ± 4.2 kg·m−2; back squat 1-repetition maximum 141.5 ± 16.3 kg) completed this randomised double-blinded sham-controlled crossover study. After familiarisation and basal measurements, participants attended the laboratory on two occasions separated by 72 h to receive either Sham or a-tDCS (current intensity of 2 mA for 20 min). Immediately after stimulation, participants completed three sets of 12 repetitions (70% of 1-RM) with three minutes of recovery between sets monitored with a linear position transducer. The sEMG of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) of both legs were recorded. No significant differences were observed between a-tDCS and Sham interventions on mean concentric velocity at any set (p > 0.05). Velocity loss and effort index were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in set 3 compared to set 1 only in the a-tDCS group. The right-leg RM and right-leg VL elicited the greatest muscle activation during set 1 after a-tDCS and Sham, respectively (p < 0.05). Our results revealed that a-tDCS over the DLPFC might impact movement velocity or fatigue tolerance in well-trained individuals. Notwithstanding, significant differences in dominant-leg muscle activity were found both in a-tDCS and Sham.

Anodal tDCS Over the DLPFC but not M1 Increases Muscle Activity and Improves Psychophysiological Responses, Cognitive Function, and Endurance Performance in Normobaric Hypoxia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…One reason might be the fact that in the present study we did not use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which is the most standard method for hot spotting the precise region representing the motor area of the lower limb over the M1 for tDCS (17). It is worth mentioning that, however, the international 10-20 EEG system has been corroborated as a valid method for stimulating target areas in the brain in most of the previous studies (9,15,20,21,43). In addition, the demanding nature of the hypoxic condition might have had a regulatory role in the M1 response to the anodal tDCS.…”

“…The causative effect of tDCS on the muscle EMG has been a controversial topic as most of the studies did not see any effect of tDCS on the muscle EMG (6, 41, 42) while some recent ndings suggest that tDCS might affect the muscle EMG (7,21,38,43). In this sense, changes in the motor unit recruitment strategies as a result of brain stimulation have been suggested as the mechanism by which tDCS could induce its effect on muscle activity re ected by EMG (7,38).…”

Anodal tDCS over the left DLPFC but not M1 increases muscle activity and improves psychophysiological responses, cognitive function, and endurance performance in normobaric hypoxia: a randomized controlled trial

“…The causative effect of tDCS on muscle EMG has been a contentious topic because most studies found no effect of tDCS on muscle EMG [ 6 , 44 , 45 ]. While some recent findings suggest that tDCS may affect muscle EMG [ 7 , 21 , 39 , 46 ]. Changes in motor unit recruitment strategies as a result of brain stimulation have been proposed as a mechanism by which tDCS could induce its effect on muscle activity as reflected by EMG [ 7 , 39 ].…”

“…One possible explanation is that we did not use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to precisely target the region representing the motor area of the lower limb in M1 [ 17 ]. However, in most previous studies, the international 10–20 EEG system has been confirmed as a valid method for stimulating target areas in the brain [ 9 , 15 , 20 , 21 , 46 ]. In addition, the montage used in the present study has previously been tested and shown to increase corticospinal excitability and endurance performance [ 47 , 48 ].…”

Acute Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Movement Velocity and Neuromuscular Signal During the Back Squat Exercise

“…The back squat exercise was performed using the same multipower device (Technogym 2017, Gambettola, Forli-Cesena, Italy) that was utilized during the 1-RM test. A highly used protocol to prescribe BFRT was used [26]. It consisted of 4 sets of 30, 15, 15, and 15 repetitions performed by each participant with 60 s rest between sets [26].…”