athletic performance optimization

Background: This study addresses the challenge of enhancing selective attention in skilled badminton players, a critical cognitive skill for optimal performance, by investigating the combined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and mindfulness training.Aim: The present study was conducted to investigated the effects of a tDCS-mindfulness program on selective attention in skilled badminton players.Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male badminton players (mean age= 23.78±3.09 years) were selected based on exclude and include criteria and randomly divided into three groups of 12, A-tDCS-Mindfulness, sham-tDCS-Mindfulness (five sessions), and control. The Edinburgh Hand Test was used to determine the dominant hemisphere of the brain. The Computerized Stroop Test was used to measure selective attention capacity. Nonparametric Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used.Results: The results showed that the within-group changes in both A-tDCS and sham-tDCS mindfulness groups, it was able to have a significant improvement on the Stroop test score and time of interference. In the comparison between groups effect, it was also found that there is a significant difference in time and score between the three groups, and respectively, the A-tDCS mindfulness, sham-tDCS mindfulness and the control group had the best performance. Based on the results of the present research, it was found that the presentation of A-tDCS mindfulness can be more effective on the time and score of selective attention of badminton players.Conclusion: Results suggest that the use of tDCS along with mindfulness can improve selective attention in badminton players.