tDCS in Exercise, Sport Performance, and Recovery Process

The central nervous system plays a crucial role in integrating body signals during exercise, and in generating a relevant response which modulates the pacing and exercise performance. In this regard, the neuromodulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may modulate certain behaviors related to exercise, psychophysiological responses to exercise, and exercise performance. Several studies have assessed the effect of tDCS on different brain regions and found promising results on heart rate, perceived exertion, and performance in different types of exercise such as strength (isometric, isokinetic, and isotonic), endurance (cycling, running), sprint, flexibility, and balance. In this chapter, we review the current evidence regarding the use of tDCS in the exercise science field, as well as safety issues, limitations, and future perspectives.