The effect of transcranial direct current electrical stimulation on the recovery of neuromuscular and technical performance of young soccer players after a simulated soccer match

The challenge for coaches is to quickly return to their initial state during soccer matches. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of tDCS stimulation on the recovery of neuromuscular and skill performance of soccer players following a simulated soccer match.

Twelve young volunteer soccer players were randomly divided into two tDCS groups, anodal and Sham. tDCS stimulation with an intensity of 2 mA and for 20 minutes was applied in the left part of the posterolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in three time periods, immediately, 24 and 48 hours after simulated soccer. Recovery status, pressure perception, shooting skill, vertical jump height and electrical activity of the latissimus dorsi muscle during jumping were investigated in both sham and tDCS conditions

Variance analysis with repeated measurements showed that tDCS stimulation significantly increased the shooting score and significantly decreased the number of shooting errors. The recovery status and perceived pressure and electrical activity of lower body muscles were not affected by tDCS stimulation.

The findings indicate that recovery with tDCS stimulation can restore the technical performance of young soccer players after a soccer match, although it had no effect on increasing neuromuscular activity. Therefore, this method can be used as an effective method to reduce physical and psychological pressure after playing soccer.