Comparison of the effect of a period of physical fitness training with and without transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on decision-making and pistol shooting performance

Esmaieli, Mohammad; Rahimzadeh, Mehdi; Karami, Esmail

doi:10.22034/26.4.5

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Volume 26, Issue 4 (Winter 2024)

EBNESINA 2024, 26(4): 5-17

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Comparison of the effect of a period of physical fitness training with and without transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on decision-making and pistol shooting performance

Mohammad Esmaieli ^*

, Mehdi Rahimzadeh

, Esmail Karami

Department of science, Shahid Sattari University of Aeronautical Engineering or Air Academy, Tehran, Iran , s_esmaeili20@yahoo.com

Keywords: Physical Fitness, tDCS, Decision Making, Guns, Military Personnel

Full-Text [PDF 1617 kb] (392 Downloads) | Abstract (HTML) (992 Views)

Type of Study: Original | Subject: Military Medicine
Received: 2024/08/18 | Revised: 2025/03/12 | Accepted: 2024/11/11 | Published: 2024/12/21

Extended Abstract: (444 Views)

Introduction

Research indicates that the effective execution of shooting skills depends not only on physical and motor fitness variables but also significantly on the mental abilities and cognitive performance of the individual at the time of shooting [6]. Scribner et al. demonstrated that impairments affecting weapon accuracy, reaction time, decision-making, and selective attention can impair a shooter's performance in detecting a target and firing [8]. One critical cognitive perceptual skill that is essential for successful shooting performance is decision-making. This function, which relies heavily on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), involves choosing between several options. A widely supported cognitive rehabilitation and performance enhancement technique that has emerged over the past two decades is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) [11]. This form of modulation can lead to observable changes in behavioral functions or cognitive components such as attention, reaction time, decision-making, and working memory [12]. In tDCS, the placement of electrodes is crucial for determining the effectiveness of the stimulation. Consequently, the primary challenge related to tDCS is the positioning of the electrodes [13]. The superior lateral PFC is a key brain region involved in cognitive functions, and dysfunction in this area has been shown to impair cognitive abilities [14].
tDCS appears to be effective in enhancing performance and improving cognitive functions and related factors. Finding an approach that offers greater effectiveness (e.g., short duration, safety, low cost, and feasibility) while enhancing cognitive performance indicators is a priority. To date, our search has revealed no studies that simultaneously compare the effects of physical fitness training combined with tDCS on decision-making and shooting performance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a course of physical fitness training with and without tDCS on decision-making and pistol shooting performance.

Methods

This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test assessments. The statistical population consisted of officer students at Imam Ali Officers' University. A total of 36 officer university students were purposefully selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to the research objectives, the participants were randomly divided into three groups: training without tDCS (12 participants), training with tDCS (12 participants), and a sham group (12 participants). Following 10 sessions of selected physical fitness exercises and tDCS stimulation for the experimental groups, a post-test was administered, mirroring the pre-test, and the results were analyzed using statistical methods. The preparatory exercises were performed over 10 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes. To assess decision-making, the Iowa Gambling Task, introduced by Bechara et al. in 1994, was utilized [21]. Additionally, a pistol shooting test was conducted to measure performance.

Results

Pairwise comparisons among the research groups regarding decision-making indicated a significant difference between the sham group and the tDCS+training group (p<0.01). Furthermore, a significant difference was observed between the tDCS+training group and the training group (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between the sham group and the training group (p>0.05). The pairwise comparison using the LSD test revealed significant differences in shooting performance between the sham group and the tDCS+ training group (p<0.05) and between the tDCS+ training group and the training group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was noted between the sham group and the physical fitness group.

Discussion and Conclusion

This study aimed to compare the effects of a period of physical fitness training with and without tDCS on decision-making and pistol shooting performance. The findings indicated a significant difference in decision-making between the tDCS+training group and both the sham and training (alone) groups. This suggests that combining physical fitness training with tDCS can enhance decision-making capabilities, a result that was statistically significant. Conversely, physical fitness training alone, as implemented in this study, did not significantly improve decision-making. Additionally, the tDCS+training group demonstrated a significant improvement in shooting performance compared to both the sham group and the training group, while the training group alone did not show a significant difference in shooting performance compared to the sham group. These results indicate that combining tDCS with physical fitness exercises can significantly enhance shooting performance among officer students.
In this context, Ghayebzadeh et al. [22] found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex over 20 sessions significantly improved decision-making and cognitive factors in elderly individuals aged 50 to 58 years. Similarly, Mancuso et al. [26] and Moslemi and Chalabianloo [27] reported findings that aligned with this study. However, the results from Yang et al. [28] were inconsistent with those of the present study. Potential reasons for this discrepancy may include differences in sample sizes, the intensity and duration of the stimulation, the number of sessions, and the types of tasks used in the other studies.

Ethical Considerations

Participation in the study was voluntary, with each participant completing an informed consent form. Respondents were assured that their responses would remain confidential and used solely for research purposes. To prevent bias, participants were informed that the study's results would not affect their selection.
This research was approved by the Research Ethics Committees of Sport Sciences Research Institute (SSRI) with code IR.SSRC.REC.1402.292. Also, this study has been registered with the clinical trial code IRCT20240213060991N1.

Funding

There is no funding support.

Authors’ Contribution

Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.

Conflict of Interest

Authors declared no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to the research team and the dedicated members of the executive and administrative groups at Shahid Sattari University of Aeronautical Engineering and Imam Ali Officers' University for their efforts.

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Esmaieli M, Rahimzadeh M, Karami E. Comparison of the effect of a period of physical fitness training with and without transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on decision-making and pistol shooting performance. EBNESINA 2024; 26 (4) :5-17
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