Article
The rise of neuroscience in competitive sports raises the question of neurodoping. Brain stimulation techniques (magnetic or electrical) increase performance by nearly 20% but could eventually be considered as brain doping. This article introduces the difference between active brain training by feedback and passive reinforcement by external stimulation. Using the analogy of a mirror, it is explained why neurofeedback applied to the optimization of sports and mental performance cannot be equated with neurodoping.
"...to equate self-regulation by neurofeedback with neurodoping would be like considering training in front of a mirror as doping.. !"
Lydie Huyghe CEO Institut NeuroSport
The vulgarization articles of the Neurosport Institute focus on the use of Biofeedback and Neurofeedback in sports and mental performance. They are deliberately short and for the general public, and always point to easily accessible bibliographical references so that everyone can form an opinion.
- Kamali A-M et al.2019 Transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance athletic performance outcome in experienced bodybuilders. PLoS ONE 14(8): e0220363. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220363
-Moisa M, 2016 Brain Network Mechanisms Underlying Motor Enhancement by Transcranial Entrainment of Gamma Oscillations. J Neurosci. 2016 Nov 23;36(47):12053-12065.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6604912/
-Holgado D et al. 2019 “Brain-Doping,” Is It a Real Threat? Darías Front Physiol. 2019; 10: 483. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00483
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.00483/full
-Angius et al. 2018 Bilateral extracephalic transcranial direct current stimulation improves endurance performance in healthy individuals. Brain Stimulation, 2018 11,1, Pages 108-117
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1935861X17309312
- Nick Davis,2013 Neurodoping: brain stimulation as a performance-enhancing measure. Sports Med. 2013 Aug;43(8):649-53. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0027-z.
School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2AS, UK. n.davis@bangor.ac.uk
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nick_Davis/publication/236056889_Neurodoping_Brain_Stimulation_as_a_Performance-Enhancing_Measure/links/09e41511dd58185461000000/Neurodoping-Brain-Stimulation-as-a-Performance-Enhancing-Measure.pdf
- Bowman-Smart, Hilary, Savulescu, Julian. The Ethics of Motivational Neuro-Doping in Sport: Praiseworthiness and Prizeworthiness. Neuroethics. 2021;14(Suppl 2):205-215. doi: 10.1007/s12152-020-09445-5. Epub 2020 Jul 23. PMID: 34790275; PMCID: PMC8590656.
- Pugh J, Pugh C. Neurostimulation, doping, and the spirit of sport. Neuroethics. 2021;14(Suppl 2):141-158. doi: 10.1007/s12152-020-09435-7. Epub 2020 May 16. PMID: 34824648; PMCID: PMC8590673.