Date of Award

7-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Health and Human Performance

Program

Exercise Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Matthew Kilgas

Abstract

Age-related deviations to the neuromuscular system negatively impact motor function and performance. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been linked to improvements in the neuromuscular system. The purpose of this study was to determine if tDCS delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) would improve handgrip time-to-failure in adults 60 years old and older. Twenty-five participants completed five maximal voluntary contractions, followed by 20-minutes of a-tDCS or SHAM conditions. Next, participants completed a handgrip time-to-failure task by maximally squeezing an electronic handgrip dynamometer until they could no longer maintain 50% of their maximal voluntary contraction. Pairwise t-test revealed a non-significant difference between tDCS and SHAM conditions on handgrip time-to- failure t(24 ) = 0.254, p = 0.401. Separate 2 x 5 ANOVA’s revealed no main effect of condition on changes in baseline HbO, HbR, and HbT for DLPFC and muscle hemodynamics (all p > 0.05). A linear mixed-effects model revealed no significant main effect of condition on recovery MVC (p > 0.05). This study provides evidence tDCS does not improve HGTTF in older adults, adding contrastingevidence regarding the effects of an acute session of tDCS. Further research is needed to confirm the ergogenic effects of acute tDCS.

Access Type

Open Access

Download

Share

COinS