Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: ALEF CAVALCANTI MATIAS DE BARROS

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on indirect

markers of exercise induced muscle damage in healthy individuals: a

Exercise, Motor Cortex, Muscle Strength, Myalgia. 

INTRODUCTION: There are several ways to speed up recovery

muscle after exercise. But none of the current techniques have

direct action on the central nervous system. Transcranial Stimulation by Direct Current (tDCS) applied over the motor cortex area primary (M1) can modulate the functional connectivity of networks sensory, changing the perception of pain and may accelerate the recovery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of tDCS application

on delayed onset muscle soreness (DMIT) in healthy subjects after a resistance exercise-induced muscle damage protocol.

METHODS: The study will be a clinical trial, controlled, randomized, double-blind with two arms. Participants will perform an initial assessment and will be divided into two groups, gETCC and gPlacebo. Participants in the tDCS group will undergo 5 continuous sessions of tDCS. Right away both groups will perform an exercise protocol to induce muscle damage in the elbow flexor group. Reassessments will be performed  immediately after the exercise, 24, 48 and 72 hours later. Muscle pain, elbow joint amplitude for flexion and extension, and muscle performance will be evaluated through isokinetic dynamometry. Stimulation effects will be calculated using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) model.

EXPECTED RESULTS: We hypothesized that tDCS will decrease the DOMS and improve the functionality of the active group. This protocol may be implemented in further studies with a clinical population, aiming to reduce the effects of damage induced after strength exercise, such as fatigue and pain.