The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Decision-Making in Elite Volleyball Players

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on decision-making in elite volleyball players. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. Thirty elite male volleyball players aged 20 to 30 years were purposefully selected based on the inclusion criteria and assigned to two groups: the tDCS in the DLPFC region and sham stimulation. In the pretest phase, participants’ decision-making was assessed using 30 preselected video clips. The intervention phase lasted four weeks, with four sessions per week on alternate days, each session lasting 20 minutes. Participants in the tDCS in the DLPFC region group received a total of 16 sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (anode placed on F3 and cathode on F4), with each session lasting 20 minutes, whereas participants in the sham group received placebo stimulation. After the completion of the intervention phase, a posttest was conducted in which participants responded to the same 30 video clips used in the pretest. The data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

The results indicated a significant difference between the groups in decision-making, with an effect size of 0.37 (F = 16.45, p = 0.001). Participants in the tDCS in the DLPFC region group demonstrated significantly higher decision-making scores compared to the sham group, with a mean difference of 4.19 points (p < 0.01). Based on these findings, it is suggested that volleyball coaches may utilize transcranial direct current stimulation over the DLPFC as a complementary tool in tactical and technical training programs to enhance decision-making and overall athletic performance.