No effects of temporal cortex modulation on rotator cuff fatigue: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Objective

To investigate the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the temporal cortex (TC) on rotator cuff fatigue.

Methods

In one session, 20 healthy individuals were randomly randomized to active or sham tDCS. Before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after tDCS, the external rotator's maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), Infraspinatus and posterior deltoid electromyographic signals, time to exhaustion test (TTE), GoC, and RPE were measured. After three days, subjects received different initial stimulation.

Results

Anodal tDCS had non-significant influence on MVICs immediately post-tDCS (p = 0.283) and 30 minutes post-tDCS (p = 0.867). TTE did not differ between anodal and sham tDCS (p = 0.845). There was non-significant difference in RPE between anodal and sham tDCS for 20 (p = 0.548), 40 (p = 0.699) and 60s (p = 0.712). There were non-significant differences in EMG data or the GRoC scale between groups.

Conclusion

Left temporal cortex modulation has no effect on muscular exhaustion, MVIC, RPE, or motor unit recruitment in the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles of healthy volunteers.

KEYWORDS:

• TDCS
• muscle fatigue
• physical performance
• sports
• neuroenhancement

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).