VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION ON RECOVERY
It is aimed to examine the potential benefits and effects of the use of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for sporting purposes on recovery, fatigue and sportive performance level. This study 90 people between the ages of 18-23 participated. They were randomly divided into 3 groups as bilateral sham stimulation, unilateral and bilateral vagus nerve stimulation (VSS). Cycling exercise was performed with maximum performance for 30 minutes under the same wattage load. Pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, distance, pain, fatigue, lactic acid level and autonomic nervous system were evaluated before, after and at the end of the cycling exercise. In the comparison made within the group, there was a statistically significant difference between the data in all groups except for the distance covered parameter (p<0.05). When we compare the groups, in addition to the distance traveled in all groups, there is no statistically significant difference in the 1st day 1st measurement or 2nd measurement data of all parameters (p>0.05). When we compared the data according to the days, there was a statistically significant difference only between the pain and fatigue levels (p<0.05). When we compared the groups, it was found that bilateral VSS had favorable results compared to other applications. When we evaluated the data on a daily basis, similar results were obtained. We are of the opinion that it will be of maximum benefit for the athlete to be applied, especially during and after the half-time of the competition.
Keywords: Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Transcutaneous, Auricular, Recovery, Cycling Ergometry
The structure that controls the involuntary functioning and functions of the internal organs in our body is the autonomic nervous system. It has a key role in maintaining homestasis. Generally, the sympathetic system regulates catabolic events, while the parasympathetic system regulates anabolic events (McCorry, 2007). The vagus nerve is the most innervating cranial nerve in the body. This nerve carries sensory, motor and parasympathetic information. The task of the nerve is to activate the parasympathetic system and support the ’rest and digest’ process to provide homestasis (Karemaker, 2017; Koopman et al., 2011).
Stimulation of the vagus nerve is the stimulation of the nerve by manual or electrical stimulation. For manual stimulation of the vagus nerve, massage and compression are applied on the carotid artery in the neck region. Later, with the development of technology, electrical stimulation methods began to be used. In the method that uses electrical stimulation, invasive and non-invasive applications are made. Non-invasive applications reduce the risk of infection and provide easy application (Howland, 2014; Lanska, 2002).
Today, with the professionalization of sports as a result of globalization, sports activities have lost their characteristics of being games. For this reason, the capitalist economic order has dominated sports. Football, one of the most popular sports branches, has become a multi-million dollar industry with revenues such as broadcasting, advertising, sponsorship and matchdays (Uhrich, 2021; Galariotis et al., 2018). With the industrialization of sports, more competition means more income. In addition, during these competitions, athletes are required to perform at a high level. For these reasons, sports clubs and athletes are looking for different methods in order to reduce the level of fatigue in a short time and accelerate recovery.
As a result of the literature study we have done, it is aimed to examine the potential benefits and effects of the use of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for sports purposes, which will be applied due to the high level of performance expectation from the athletes and the increasing number of competitions, on the recovery, fatigue and sportive performance level of the athletes.