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

Background and aims: Complete combat readiness is an emerging concept in the 21st century that is achieved by integrating mental and physical components. This study aimed to compare the effects of a period of physical fitness training with and without transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on decision-making and pistol shooting performance among officer students. Methods: The present study was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design. A total of 36 students at Imam Ali University were randomly divided into three groups: physical fitness training without tDCS (n=12), physical fitness training with tDCS (n=12), and a sham group (n=12). In the pre-test phase, participants performed 10 pistol shots and completed a decision-making test, with their performance recorded. The training and stimulation period consisted of 10 sessions. The post-test was conducted 24 hours after the pre-test, following the same procedures. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, with the LSD post-hoc test used for pairwise comparisons. Results: The results indicated that physical fitness training combined with tDCS significantly improved decision-making (p < 0.05) and enhanced shooting performance and accuracy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that tDCS, could be utilized as a complementary technique to physical fitness training to enhance shooting performance and cognitive-perceptual factors, such as decision-making, in military student programs.