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Could tDCS Be a Potential Performance-Enhancing Tool for Acute Neurocognitive Modulation in eSports? A Perspective Review

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  • Sergio Machado

    (Laboratory of Physical Activity Neuroscience, Physical Activity Sciences Postgraduate Program, Salgado de Oliveira University, Niterói 24456-570, Brazil
    Department of Sports Science, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    Laboratory of Physical Activity Neuroscience, Neurodiversity Institute, Queimados 26325-020, Brazil)

  • Bruno Travassos

    (Department of Sports Science, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    Research Center in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-558 Vila Real, Portugal
    Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation, 1495-433 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal)

  • Diogo S. Teixeira

    (Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
    Research Center in Sport, Physical Education, and Exercise and Health (CIDEFES), (CIDEFES), 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Filipe Rodrigues

    (Sport Science School of Rio Maior, ESDRM-IPSantarém, 2040-413 Rio Maio, Portugal
    Life Quality Research Center (CIEQV), 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal)

  • Luis Cid

    (Research Center in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-558 Vila Real, Portugal
    Sport Science School of Rio Maior, ESDRM-IPSantarém, 2040-413 Rio Maio, Portugal)

  • Diogo Monteiro

    (Research Center in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-558 Vila Real, Portugal
    ESECS, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

Abstract

Competitive sports involve physical and cognitive skills. In traditional sports, there is a greater dependence on the development and performance of both motor and cognitive skills, unlike electronic sports (eSports), which depend much more on neurocognitive skills for success. However, little is known about neurocognitive functions and effective strategies designed to develop and optimize neurocognitive performance in eSports athletes. One such strategy is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), characterized as a weak electric current applied on the scalp to induce prolonged changes in cortical excitability. Therefore, our objective is to propose anodal (a)-tDCS as a performance-enhancing tool for neurocognitive functions in eSports. In this manuscript, we discussed the neurocognitive processes that underlie exceptionally skilled performances in eSports and how tDCS could be used for acute modulation of these processes in eSports. Based on the results from tDCS studies in healthy people, professional athletes, and video game players, it seems that tDCS is applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as a potential performance-enhancing tool for neurocognition in eSports.

Suggested Citation

  • Sergio Machado & Bruno Travassos & Diogo S. Teixeira & Filipe Rodrigues & Luis Cid & Diogo Monteiro, 2021. "Could tDCS Be a Potential Performance-Enhancing Tool for Acute Neurocognitive Modulation in eSports? A Perspective Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3678-:d:528346
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kirstin Hallmann & Thomas Giel, 2018. "eSports – Competitive sports or recreational activity?," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 14-20, January.
    2. Cunningham, George B. & Fairley, Sheranne & Ferkins, Lesley & Kerwin, Shannon & Lock, Daniel & Shaw, Sally & Wicker, Pamela, 2018. "eSport: Construct specifications and implications for sport management," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 1-6.
    3. Hallmann, Kirstin & Giel, Thomas, 2018. "eSports – Competitive sports or recreational activity?," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 14-20.
    4. George B. Cunningham & Sheranne Fairley & Lesley Ferkins & Shannon Kerwin & Daniel Lock & Sally Shaw & Pamela Wicker, 2018. "eSport: Construct specifications and implications for sport management," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 1-6, January.
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