EFFECT OF CATHODAL TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION ON LOWER LIMBS MUSCULAR FATIGUE DURING ISOKINETIC PROTOCOL

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relations between tDCS by cathodal current and a fatigue indicator in lower limb during isokinetic protocol. In this study was evaluated the results obtained on assessment of isokinetic force of knee extensors and flexors, in concentric muscular action during flexion and extension phases. Seven health volunteers (6 men and 1 woman) participated in the study. The results show significant differences between sham and cathodal conditions only for work/body weight and work fatigue during knee flexion phase. Cathodal tDCS appear to be a valid technique to modulated primary motor cortex activity. The preliminary results suggest that cathodal current polarization appears to be a helpful tool to improve work capacity in human subjects, at least for knee flexion.