The Effect of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation on Athletic Performance Optimization: Systematic Review, Meta- Analysis, and Proposing a Theoretical Model

Transcranial direct- current stimulation is a nerve modulation technique that induces low- intensity direct current to brain cells that stimulate or inhibit spontaneous neural activity. In recent decades, the use of electrical stimulation has been used as an effective method to improve the cognitive, psychological, and physical performance of athletes. In this study, using meta- analysis, the effectiveness of extracranial electrical stimulation on optimizing athletes' performance was investigated.

The present study is a systematic review and meta-analysis research model. In the first phase of the study, all Persian and English studies on the effectiveness of Transcranial direct- current stimulation on athlete's performance were systematically reviewed (N=474), and among them, studies with meta- analysis criteria were reviewed by Meta- Analysis Basics and Applications (N=26). In the second stage, a specific intervention model for athletes was developed based on various components affecting performance.

The results showed the effect size (ES) of transcranial direct- current stimulation (Cohen's d=1.187) is large according to Cohen's table (Cohen's D>0.8). Therefore, transcranial direct- current stimulation improves the performance of athletes. In the second stage, the factors affecting the performance of athletes following transcranial direct- current stimulation were developed in the form of a specific intervention model for athletes.

The findings of this meta- analysis showed a large ES for transcranial direct- current stimulation on athletic performance optimization.