Cathodic High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Changes Gaze Behavior in Professional Female Basketball Players During Free-Throw Shooting Preparation

This study analyzed the impact of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on gaze behavior in professional female basketball players during free-throw shooting preparation. Gaze fixation duration was identified using a mobile eye tracker from free throws shooting preparation (n = 2,233). Multi-channel HD-tDCS (cathodic and sham) was applied for 20 minutes before shooting preparation. The shots were classified as code 1 (successful without hitting the rim or backboard), code 2 (the ball hit the rim before going in), and code 3 (missed shots). There were significant differences between sham and cathodic conditions in percentage changes (pre-to post-intervention) of gaze fixation duration for all three codes (p < 0.001), with increases for sham and decreases for cathodic. Interaction effects (condition × time × shooting code) were observed (p < 0.001). The present findings suggest that HD-tDCS can decrease gaze fixation duration towards a functional inward-out role related to improving neural efficiency.