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

1. Cognition 2. Cortical Excitability 3. Athletic Performance Introduction: Transcranial directcurrent stimulation is a nerve modulation technique that induces lowintensity 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 metaanalysis, the effectiveness of extracranial electrical stimulation on optimizing athletes’ performance was investigated. Materials and Methods: 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 directcurrent stimulation on athlete’s performance were systematically reviewed (N=474), and among them, studies with metaanalysis criteria were reviewed by MetaAnalysis Basics and Applications (N=26). In the second stage, a specific intervention model for athletes was developed based on various components affecting performance. Results: The results showed the effect size (ES) of transcranial directcurrent stimulation (Cohen’s d=1.187) is large according to Cohen’s table (Cohen’s D>0.8). Therefore, transcranial directcurrent stimulation improves the performance of athletes. In the second stage, the factors affecting the performance of athletes following transcranial directcurrent stimulation were developed in the form of a specific intervention model for athletes. Conclusion: The findings of this metaanalysis showed a large ES for transcranial directcurrent stimulation on athletic performance optimization.n ABSTRACT Article Info: