Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Pneumatic Compression in Soccer: Does the Number of Recovery Sessions Matter?

OBJECTIVE

This study examined whether a greater number of recovery sessions combining transcranial direct current stimulation over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (+F3/-F4 montage configuration) and pneumatic compression would influence elite professional male soccer players' physiological and perceptual markers.

DESIGN

The intervention occurred during a 3-month period in the competitive season and was applied the day after 17 official matches (match day; MD + 1). Sleep quality, perceived recovery, and creatine kinase concentration were collected during MD + 1 and second day postmatch (MD + 2). The initial sample consisted of 35 players. Data from 14 players who completed 70% of the official match duration and at least 2 experimental recovery sessions were included in the analysis. Players were divided into a high-participation group (>11 experimental recovery sessions) and a low-participation group (<8 experimental recovery sessions).

RESULTS

The high-participation group presented a significantly lower mean creatine kinase concentration (239 [129] International Units per liter [IU·L-1]) (low-participation group; 493 [271] IU·L-1) (P = .04; t = 2.23). No differences were observed between groups for perceived recovery (P = .62; t = .50) and sleep quality (P = .35; t = .95). There were no significant adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The unique findings of this study suggest that a greater number of transcranial direct current stimulation sessions combined with pneumatic compression may enhance the recovery process in elite professional soccer players.