Transcranial direct current stimulation in sports training: Potential approaches

In recent years several studies have focused on the application of non-invasive brain stimulation in motor training and rehabilitation. Of particular promise is transcranial direct stimulation (tDCS), which has been shown to produce improvements in motor behavior in normal adults and appears to offer utility for enhancing training-induced improvements in motor function in those suffering cortical damage (e.g. stroke patients). This raises the possibility of the use of tDCS more broadly, including in motor training in sport. In this opinion piece we discuss the potential utility of tDCS in sports training and the extent to which individual differences in motor expertise may influence the efficacy of tDCS on motor learning. In addition we discuss different aspects of motor learning that may be enhanced by tDCS and target brain regions that may be good candidates for this process.