Welcome, Athletes, to the World of tDCS 

Have you ever found yourself becoming exhausted early during an exercise session? Whether you are a professional or amateur athlete, tDCS devices, like TheBrainDriver, can be used in countless ways to help improve your everyday performance, endurance, motivation and feelings of fatigue. With so much potential to take your athletic experience to the next level, our device could give you the edge you have been after to put you ahead. 

What is tDCS?

Transcranial direct current stimulation, better known as tDCS, devices use carefully placed electrodes on the head to stimulate the brain through the transfer of low-level electrical currents. This non-invasive technology was originally developed to manage brain injuries. However, recent studies have found it can enhance and provide daily benefits to athletes of all performance levels (Edwards et al., 2017). At-home tDCS devices have become more commonplace, allowing new users the flexibility of trying this technology without requiring travel to a clinic for each session.

In response to electrical stimulation, your brain has the potential to rewire itself. Known among tDCS researchers as neuroplasticity, this lifelong process can modulate the brain, potentially creating new neurons over a period of time. The stronger the connection between these neurons are, the higher the rate of neuroplasticity is (Cavaleiro et al., 2020). Consistent and targeted use of tDCS can support and enhance this process.

The “Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Sports Performance” Study

Professional and amateur athletes alike understand the long-term positive effects of enhancing their performance through safe, heavily-researched methods to, in turn, lead healthier and more productive lives. Understanding the studies that support and explain the science behind tDCS is crucial before starting with your own device.

In an article published by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Edwards et al. reviews a culmination of studies focused on the effects of tDCS in athletic performance. They remind us tDCS has been under research for nearly five decades and continuously provides results that “harbor the potential to enhance executive and physical human performance” (p. 1). It maintains a reliable safety standard that allows for the transfer of electrical current to the brain. This technology can be considered among the many options to “reduce the perception of physical effort and psychological tools for motivation” alongside listening to music and meditation (p. 2). 

The Research: How tDCS Enhances Athletic Performance

Many research papers focusing on electrode placement and the subsequent effects of tDCS on athletic performance are reviewed, including that of “Transcranial direct current stimulation improves isometric time to exhaustion of the knee extensors” by Angius et al., (2016). With trained cyclists as their subjects, cathodes were placed on the shoulder with anodal placement on the motor cortex to better understand endurance rates and perception of effort during a workout. This resulted in performance benefits potentially thanks to the power of tDCS. Endurance rates increased, allowing the cyclists to perform for longer periods of time as well as reduce their perception of effort

According to a study by Borducci et al. (2016), researchers used elite athletes as subjects to determine the effects of tDCS on cognitive performance and overall mood. The results suggested a positive increase for both. The probable competitive advantage was a result of an anode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In another study focusing on muscle fatigue conducted by Abdelmoula et al., (2016), researchers suggested fatigue decreased with the assistance of tDCS anodes placed over the motor cortex for 10 minutes. As displayed in the other studies referenced, the assistance of tDCS can relay positive effects on an adult athlete's body, affecting their performance.

Rooted in years of research across many various conditions and groups of subjects, these studies are just just a few of the incentives to give tDCS a try at home.

Why Use TheBrainDriver tDCS Devices?

Luckily, you don’t have to look far to find a reliable tDCS device that can help you start working toward your goals. TheBrainDriver delivers the tech behind these studies and can be your key to success. We have taken out the guesswork to make sure you are getting the best-in-class tDCS experience. All of our systems include everything you need to get started, from the main device with battery, to the necessary electrodes, wire sets, headbands, sponges, etc. The only thing you need to provide is the saline solution (tap water with salt added).

Studies suggest using tDCS devices for just 20 minutes daily (Carvalho et al., 2018). Many of our customers have reported seeing beneficial effects as early as several days after beginning TheBrainDriver. Just like building muscle and increasing stamina, consistent practice and correct application are essential for achieving your desired results.

Learning More Everyday

TheBrainDriver is dedicated to keeping our customer-base updated with the latest in tDCS studies and how this amazing technology can be used to your advantage. Staying abreast of new research and how it relates to both athletic performance and general health is an integral part of our company’s mission.

Improve Your Performance with tDCS!

It is important to remember that this is an ever evolving field, but the incredible results that have been suggested in research papers such as “Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Sports Performance” and others published by reputable journals support an incredible science that has been and will be around for a long time to come.

TheBrainDriver team invites you to take the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life with the power of tDCS! We are always happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have prior to placing an order. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at askthebraindriver@gmail.com. Learn more about TheBrainDriver tDCS devices today!

Stay Positive!

Sincerely,

Alex 

TheBrainDriver tDCS Devices

Power Up Your Brain 20 Minutes Per Day

[Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment or therapy.]

Copyright TheBrainDriver, LLC. © 2024. All Rights Reserved.

References

Abdelmoula, A., Baudry, S., and Duchateau, J. (2016). Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation enhances time to task failure of a submaximal contraction of elbow flexors without changing corticospinal excitability. Neuroscience, 322, 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.02.025

Angius, L., Pageaux, B., Hopker, J., Marcora, S. M., and Mauger, A. R. (2016). Transcranial direct current stimulation improves isometric time to exhaustion of the knee extensors. Neuroscience, 339, 363–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.10.028

Borducchi, D., Gomes, J. S., Akiba, H., Cordeiro, Q., Borducchi, J. M., Valentin, L., et al. (2016). Transcranial direct current stimulation effects on athletes’ cognitive performance: an exploratory proof of concept trial. Front Psychiatry, 7, 183. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00183

Carvalho, F., Brietzke, A. P., Gasparin, A., Dos Santos, F. P., Vercelino, R., Ballester, R. F., Sanches, P. R. S., da Silva, D. P., Jr, Torres, I. L. S., Fregni, F., & Caumo, W. (2018). Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Device Development: An Updated Protocol Used at Home in Healthy Subjects and Fibromyalgia Patients. Journal of visualized experiments, 137. https://doi.org/10.3791/57614

Cavaleiro, C., Martins, J., Gonçalves, J., & Castelo-Branco, M. (2020). Memory and Cognition-Related Neuroplasticity Enhancement by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Rodents: A Systematic Review. Neural plasticity, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4795267

Edwards, D. J., Cortes, M., Wortman-Jutt, S., Putrino, D., Bikson, M., Thickbroom, G., & Pascual-Leone, A. (2017). Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Sports Performance. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 11, 243. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00243