Fatigue RecoveryNCT07866950
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in High-level Volleyball Players During Fatigue
A study testing tDCS in people with Fatigue Recovery and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), run by Beijing Sport University at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if tDCS works to treat fatigue state in athletes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does tDCS on the physical performance in high-level volleyball players during dual fatigue. What montages have the best effects on fatigue state. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Fatigue Recovery, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
- What is being tested?
- tDCS
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 2 Aug 2024to 4 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- volleyball players in High-level
Who cannot join
- Injuries or illnesses within the last three months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Physical Performance in High-level Volleyball Players During Fatigue
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if tDCS works to treat fatigue state in athletes. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does tDCS on the physical performance in high-level volleyball players during dual fatigue.
What montages have the best effects on fatigue state. Researchers will compare tDCS to a placebo (sham stimulation) to see if tDCS have the effects on fatigue state in athletes.
Participants will:
Received four 10 min sessions tDCS in counterbalanced order.
Read the detailed description
Twenty volleyball players were tested in a counterbalanced sham-controlled trial. Following dual fatigue induced by 60-min trial at 60% peak power output combined with a Stroop test, subjects received four 10 min sessions of 2 mA anodal tDCS over M1 (tDCSM1), DLPFC (tDCSDLPFC), M1+DLPFC (tDCSM1+DLPFC), or sham stimulation (tDCSSHAM). Spike test, medicine ball test, counter movement jump, T-test, 30-m sprint, and 15-s rebound jump were conducted at baseline, immediately after (post1), and 40-min after tDCS intervention (post2). Heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and visual analogue scale (VAS) were measured after each procedure.
- Being tested
- tDCS
- Keywords
- volleyball player, physical performance, fatigue, transcranial direct current stimulation
- Medical subject headings
- Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
tDCSDevice
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulation tool that modulates cortical excitability and spontaneous brain activity via low-intensity currents.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| tDCS over M1 | Active comparator | For the M1-channel, the anode electrode was placed on Cz, C1 and C2 (5 x 7 cm), and the reference (5 x 5 cm) was placed on the right shoulder. Receives: Device: tDCS |
| tDCS over DLPFC | Active comparator | For the DLPFC-channel, the anode electrode was placed on the F3 (5 x 5 cm), and the reference (5 x 5 cm) was placed on the left shoulder. Receives: Device: tDCS |
| tDCS over M1 and DLPFC | Active comparator | dual a-tDCS was performed in both channels Receives: Device: tDCS |
| sham stimulation | Sham comparator | In sham stimulation, the stimulator was turned off after 30 s of stimulation. Ramp up and down period lasted 15 s in all conditions. Receives: Device: tDCS |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Spike test
The spike test was used as previously described (Valades, 2009) to measure spiking performance. Subjects self-tossed the ball (Molten V5M5000), and then spike toward a 1.5 × 1.5-m target zone with maximal strength without jumping off the ground. Ball velocity was measured by radar gun (Bushnell Outdoor Products, Kansas, USA) situated in the target zone. Each player completed three trials, and the fastest ball speed was used in the analyses.
Measured: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
Medicine ball test
The medicine ball test was used to measure upper limb strength (D et al., 2018). Subjects stood behind a line with their feet side by side but slightly separated, the 2-kg ball was initially drawn back behind the head, then propelled forward to achieve maximum distance. Each player completed two trials, and the best one was used in the analyses.
Measured: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
Counter movement jump
The countermovement jump was used to measure lower limb strength and jumping performance (Del Coso et al., 2014). Following an auditory cue, the participant flexed his knees and jumped as high as possible, keeping his hands on his waist, and landed with both feet on the optical jump system (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). Each subject carried out three trials, and the highest jump was used in the analyses.
Measured: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
T-test
A modified T-test was used to measure agility and change of direction ability. As previously described (Sassi et al., 2009), subjects started with both feet positioned behind a starting line (cone A), then sprinted forward 5 m and touched the cone B. Then, they shuffled sideways to the left (2.5 m) and touched cone C. They then did the same side shuffling to the right (5 m) and touched cone D. They then shuffled back to the cone B, and backpedal to the cone A. All subjects completed two attempts, and the fastest time was measured by timing gates (Wireless timing systems, Shiniangong, China) used in the analyses.
Measured: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
30-m sprint test
Linear sprinting performance was measured by a 30-m sprint (Meckel et al., 2015), and the speed measure was obtained by a timing gate. All subjects started approximately 0.4 m behind the starting gate. All subjects completed two attempts and the highest speed was used in the analyses.
Measured: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
15-s rebound jump test
The 15-s rebound jump was used to measure continuous jumping performance (Del Coso et al., 2014). The subjects put their hands on their hips and performed continuous vertical jumps on the Optojump system. The average jump height was used in the analyses.
Measured: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Oct 2026
- Study start2 Aug 2024
- Primary completion11 Jun 2025
- Study completion4 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Fatigue RecoveryStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Sport University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Bologna, Humanities and Social Sciences Research Funds of the Ministry of Education of China
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07866950
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2022166H
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Physical Performance in High-level Volleyball Players During Fatigue
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07866950
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2022166H
- Keywords
- volleyball player, physical performance, fatigue, transcranial direct current stimulation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Sport UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Bologna, Humanities and Social Sciences Research Funds of the Ministry of Education of China
- Study start
- 2 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 11 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 4 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if tDCS works to treat fatigue state in athletes. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does tDCS on the physical performance in high-level volleyball players during dual fatigue.
What montages have the best effects on fatigue state. Researchers will compare tDCS to a placebo (sham stimulation) to see if tDCS have the effects on fatigue state in athletes.
Participants will:
Received four 10 min sessions tDCS in counterbalanced order.
Detailed description
Twenty volleyball players were tested in a counterbalanced sham-controlled trial. Following dual fatigue induced by 60-min trial at 60% peak power output combined with a Stroop test, subjects received four 10 min sessions of 2 mA anodal tDCS over M1 (tDCSM1), DLPFC (tDCSDLPFC), M1+DLPFC (tDCSM1+DLPFC), or sham stimulation (tDCSSHAM). Spike test, medicine ball test, counter movement jump, T-test, 30-m sprint, and 15-s rebound jump were conducted at baseline, immediately after (post1), and 40-min after tDCS intervention (post2). Heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and visual analogue scale (VAS) were measured after each procedure.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| tDCS over M1 | Active comparator | Device: tDCSFor the M1-channel, the anode electrode was placed on Cz, C1 and C2 (5 x 7 cm), and the reference (5 x 5 cm) was placed on the right shoulder. |
| tDCS over DLPFC | Active comparator | Device: tDCSFor the DLPFC-channel, the anode electrode was placed on the F3 (5 x 5 cm), and the reference (5 x 5 cm) was placed on the left shoulder. |
| tDCS over M1 and DLPFC | Active comparator | Device: tDCSdual a-tDCS was performed in both channels |
| sham stimulation | Sham comparator | Device: tDCSIn sham stimulation, the stimulator was turned off after 30 s of stimulation. Ramp up and down period lasted 15 s in all conditions. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- volleyball players in High-level
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Injuries or illnesses within the last three months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| tDCSTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulation tool that modulates cortical excitability and spontaneous brain activity via low-intensity currents. | Device | sham stimulation, tDCS over DLPFC, tDCS over M1, tDCS over M1 and DLPFC |
Primary outcome
Spike test
Time frame: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
The spike test was used as previously described (Valades, 2009) to measure spiking performance. Subjects self-tossed the ball (Molten V5M5000), and then spike toward a 1.5 × 1.5-m target zone with maximal strength without jumping off the ground. Ball velocity was measured by radar gun (Bushnell Outdoor Products, Kansas, USA) situated in the target zone. Each player completed three trials, and the fastest ball speed was used in the analyses.
Medicine ball test
Time frame: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
The medicine ball test was used to measure upper limb strength (D et al., 2018). Subjects stood behind a line with their feet side by side but slightly separated, the 2-kg ball was initially drawn back behind the head, then propelled forward to achieve maximum distance. Each player completed two trials, and the best one was used in the analyses.
Counter movement jump
Time frame: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
The countermovement jump was used to measure lower limb strength and jumping performance (Del Coso et al., 2014). Following an auditory cue, the participant flexed his knees and jumped as high as possible, keeping his hands on his waist, and landed with both feet on the optical jump system (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). Each subject carried out three trials, and the highest jump was used in the analyses.
T-test
Time frame: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
A modified T-test was used to measure agility and change of direction ability. As previously described (Sassi et al., 2009), subjects started with both feet positioned behind a starting line (cone A), then sprinted forward 5 m and touched the cone B. Then, they shuffled sideways to the left (2.5 m) and touched cone C. They then did the same side shuffling to the right (5 m) and touched cone D. They then shuffled back to the cone B, and backpedal to the cone A. All subjects completed two attempts, and the fastest time was measured by timing gates (Wireless timing systems, Shiniangong, China) used in the analyses.
30-m sprint test
Time frame: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
Linear sprinting performance was measured by a 30-m sprint (Meckel et al., 2015), and the speed measure was obtained by a timing gate. All subjects started approximately 0.4 m behind the starting gate. All subjects completed two attempts and the highest speed was used in the analyses.
15-s rebound jump test
Time frame: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation
The 15-s rebound jump was used to measure continuous jumping performance (Del Coso et al., 2014). The subjects put their hands on their hips and performed continuous vertical jumps on the Optojump system. The average jump height was used in the analyses.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Oct 2026.
Related trials for Fatigue Recovery
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Baduanjin Exercise on Pain, Fatigue, and Quality of Recovery After Abdominal Surgery
Abdominal Surgery, Baduanjin
Not yet recruiting
ACUTE EFFECTS OF HIGH-INTENSITY LASER THERAPY ON PAIN, MUSCLE STIFFNESS, AND GRIP STRENGTH IN HEALTHY ADULTS
Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue, Fatigue Recovery
Recruiting
Microcurrent Therapy and the Post-Exercise Physiological Response (MENS_PE)
Muscle Fatigue
Enrolling by invitation
PATH to Reducing Burnout Among Peers Who Deliver Overdose Prevention Services (R33 Phase Clinical Trial)
Burnout, Secondary Trauma
Recruiting
A Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effects of Adrenal Adapt on Sleep Quality, Daytime Energy, Stress Resilience, and Cognitive Performance.
Improves Daytime Energy Levels, Reduces Afternoon Energy Crashes and Midday Fatigue
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing tDCS in people with Fatigue Recovery and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), run by Beijing Sport University at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Spike test (time frame: At Baseline, immediately following stimulation, and 40-min following stimulation). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Oct 2026.