title: Brain stimulation modulates the autonomic nervous system, rating of perceived exertion and performance during maximal exercise.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The temporal and insular cortex (TC, IC) have been associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) control and the awareness of emotional feelings from the body. Evidence shows that the ANS and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) regulate exercise performance. Non-invasive brain stimulation can modulate the cortical area directly beneath the electrode related to ANS and RPE, but it could also affect subcortical areas by connection within the cortico-cortical neural networks. This study evaluated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the TC on the ANS, RPE and performance during a maximal dynamic exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten trained cyclists participated in this study (33±9 years; 171.5±5.8 cm; 72.8±9.5 kg; 10-11 training years). After 20-min of receiving either anodal tDCS applied over the left TC (T3) or sham stimulation, subjects completed a maximal incremental cycling exercise test. RPE, heart rate (HR) and R-R intervals (as a measure of ANS function) were recorded continuously throughout the tests. Peak power output (PPO) was recorded at the end of the tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With anodal tDCS, PPO improved by ~4% (anodal tDCS: 313.2±29.9 vs 301.0±19.8 watts: sham tDCS; p=0.043), parasympathetic vagal withdrawal was delayed (anodal tDCS: 147.5±53.3 vs 125.0±35.4 watts: sham tDCS; p=0.041) and HR was reduced at submaximal workloads. RPE also increased more slowly during exercise following anodal tDCS application, but maximal RPE and HR values were not affected by cortical stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that non-invasive brain stimulation over the TC modulates the ANS activity and the sensory perception of effort and exercise performance, indicating that the brain plays a crucial role in the exercise performance regulation.
authors: Physical Education Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
authors: Alexandre Hideki
authors: AH
authors: Okano
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Eduardo Bodnariuc
authors: EB
authors: Fontes
authors: Physical Education and Sports Institute, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Rafael Ayres
authors: RA
authors: Montenegro
authors: Physical Education and Sports Institute, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Paulo de Tarso Veras
authors: Pde T
authors: Farinatti
authors: Center of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Parana, Brazil.
authors: Edilson Serpeloni
authors: ES
authors: Cyrino
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Li Min
authors: LM
authors: Li
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York of CUNY, New York, New York, USA.
authors: Marom
authors: M
authors: Bikson
authors: MRC/UCT Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town (UCT), Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
authors: Timothy David
authors: TD
authors: Noakes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Exercise; Exercise physiology; Exertion studies; Fatigue; Physiology