Combined tDCS and Pneumatic Compression for Recovery After a 10K Run

NCT07333404 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-17/11
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 35
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will examine how two recovery methods-pneumatic compression (PC) applied to the legs and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the head-help athletes recover after a 10-kilometer (10K) run. It also aims to find out which methods may help master athletes recover faster, maintain performance, and reduce the risk of injury. Men aged 40-55 who are trained long-distance runners can participate, provided they do not have medical conditions that prevent safe exercise or use of the recovery methods. Participants will run 10K and then receive one of the following interventions in a randomized order: tDCS, PC, tDCS + PC, or no intervention (control). Each participant will experience all conditions, with a one-week break between sessions. Measurements will be taken before the run, immediately after, and after the intervention, including heart rate variability, cognitive tests (Stroop Test), vertical jump, and maximal voluntary muscle contraction, during which muscle activity will be recorded using electromyography (EMG). Data will be analyzed to compare how each intervention affects recovery, including physical performance, cognitive function, and psychological state. The study will show which methods help master runners recover faster and more effectively, provide practical strategies to improve performance and reduce injury risk, and offer information on the separate and combined effects of tDCS and PC on recovery, which could help design age-specific recovery strategies for endurance athletes.

Conditions

Muscle Fatigue; Endurance Exercise; Recovery Methods; Exercise Performance Recovery

Keywords

master athletes; recovery; pneumatic compression; transcranial direct current stimulation; exercise performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC)

  Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps muscles (vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis) will be measured using surface electromyography (EMG) to assess neuromuscular function and fatigue. Participants will perform three contractions lasting 3 to 5 seconds each, with 60-second rest intervals, while seated with the knee and hip joints positioned at 90 degrees.

  Assessments will be performed immediately before the 10-kilometer run, immediately after completion of the 10-kilometer run, and immediately after the recovery intervention.

• Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

  Heart rate variability will be measured using the Polar Vantage V3 GPS watch with H10 heart rate sensor to assess autonomic nervous system responses to exercise and recovery interventions. HRV parameters will be analyzed to evaluate physiological stress and recovery. Measurements will be recorded at rest for 5 minutes in a seated position.

  Immediately before 10K run, immediately after 10K run, immediately after recovery intervention

• Cognitive Performance: Stroop Test

  Cognitive performance will be assessed using the computerized Stroop Test. Participants will respond to color-word stimuli where the color of the word may be congruent or incongruent with the written word. Reaction time and accuracy will be recorded to evaluate cognitive function and executive control in response to exercise and recovery interventions.

  Immediately before 10K run, immediately after 10K run, immediately after recovery intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Total Quality Recovery (TQR)

  Immediately before the 10-kilometer run (T1), immediately after the 10-kilometer run (T2), and immediately after the recovery intervention (T3).

• Well-Being Questionnaire (WBQ)

  Immediately before the 10-kilometer run (T1), immediately after the 10-kilometer run (T2), and immediately after the recovery intervention (T3).

• Vertical Jump

  Immediately before 10K run, immediately after 10K run, immediately after recovery intervention

Study Arms (4)

tDCS

EXPERIMENTAL

20 minutes of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the F3 and F4 regions of the brain using the Brain Premier device at 2 mA intensity.

Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Pneumatic Compression (PC)

EXPERIMENTAL

20 minutes of sequential pneumatic compression (PC) applied to the lower limbs using the Normatec device, with compression pressure adjustable between 20 to 100 mmHg.

Device: Normatec Pneumatic Compression

tDCS + PC

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive simultaneous application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the F3 and F4 regions and pneumatic compression (PC) to the lower limbs for 20 minutes, combining both interventions.

Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS); Device: Normatec Pneumatic Compression

Control

NO INTERVENTION

20 minutes of passive rest in a semi-reclined position, no intervention applied.

Interventions

Normatec Pneumatic Compression DEVICE

20 minutes of sequential pneumatic compression applied to lower limbs using Normatec device, following pressure/timing protocols (pressure 20-100 mmHg).

Pneumatic Compression (PC); tDCS + PC

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) DEVICE

20 minutes of tDCS applied to F3 and F4 (left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) at 2 mA using Brain Premier device in a semi-reclined position.

tDCS; tDCS + PC

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 40 to 55 years
• Completion of an official 10-kilometer race in under 50 minutes within the last six months
• Regular training 5 days per week, 90 minutes per day
• Weekly running volume of 60-80 kilometers
• Aerobic fitness ≥ 80% according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines

You may not qualify if:

• Use of regular medications within the last six months
• Consumption of stimulants, caffeine, or alcohol within 24 hours prior to testing
• Smoking
• Musculoskeletal injuries within the last six months
• Participation in current physical therapy programs
• Epilepsy or history of seizures
• Cardiac, brain, or other electronic implants
• Open wounds or dermatological conditions on the head
• Circulatory disorders, including deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial disease, or severe varicose veins
• Previous exposure to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or pneumatic compression (PC) interventions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uludag University: lead
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Bursa Uludag University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Bursa, Nilüfer, 16000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Goncalves DS, Moscaleski LA, da Silva GM, Morgans R, Okano AH, Moreira A. The Effect of Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Pneumatic Compression as Part of a Comprehensive Recovery Strategy in Professional Male Top-Level Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2024 Sep 1;38(9):1658-1666. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004844. Epub 2024 Jul 23.

  PMID: 39074250 RESULT

• Shiravand F, Motamedi P, Amani-Shalamzari S, Amiri E, da Silva Machado DG. Effect of repeated sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation on subjective and objective measures of recovery and performance in soccer players following a soccer match simulation. Sci Rep. 2024 Sep 6;14(1):20809. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-71701-y.

  PMID: 39242725 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation Therapy; Therapeutics; Convulsive Therapy; Psychiatric Somatic Therapies; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Electroshock; Psychological Techniques

Central Study Contacts

Hilal Oruç Kaya, PhD

CONTACT

+90 5545404468; hilaloruc@uludag.edu.tr

Ramiz Arabacı, Proffessor

CONTACT

+90 5332494471; ramizar@uludag.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: Each participant will experience all four intervention conditions (transcranial direct current stimulation \[tDCS\], pneumatic compression \[PC\], combined tDCS and PC, and control) in a randomized order, with a one-week washout period between sessions to minimize carryover effects.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 16, 2025
• First Posted: January 12, 2026
• Study Start: January 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 27, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 27, 2026
• Last Updated: January 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)