Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Core Stabilization Enhance Shooting Performance and Balance in Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Balance and physical stability are crucial for shooting athletes' performance, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive method to enhance motor learning and neuromuscular control. This study investigated the effects of tDCS combined with core stabilization training on balance, trunk imbalance, and shooting performance in university shooting athletes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty shooting athletes were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (active tDCS+core stabilization training) or the control group (sham tDCS+same training). Stimulation (2.0 mA for 20 minutes) was applied over the primary motor cortex. Both groups underwent 50-minute sessions 3 times a week for 5 weeks. Participants were blinded regarding whether they received real or sham stimulation, but the outcome evaluator was not blinded. Outcome measures (dynamic balance, sway distance, trunk imbalance, and shooting scores) were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS The experimental group showed significant improvements in dynamic balance (time, sway distance), trunk imbalance, lateral deviation, and shooting scores (P<0.05). The control group showed improvements mainly in dynamic balance (time) and trunk imbalance. Between-group comparisons demonstrated that the experimental group had greater improvements in balance parameters and shooting scores. Effect sizes for the experimental group ranged from 1.02 to 1.38 in key outcomes, indicating large effects. CONCLUSIONS Integrating tDCS with core stabilization training may be an effective approach to enhance balance, trunk imbalance, and shooting performance in shooting athletes. Further large-scale, long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm these findings.