Movement is complex: each time your body moves, there are tens of thousands of neurons sending electrical signals. Whether you're training for a marathon, learning a new piano piece, or working on your vertical, your brain needs to refine how it tells your muscles to make the complex movements required. The brain's unique ability to fine-tune itself—called plasticity—allows it to do just that.
Plasticity means your brain can strengthen existing connections between neurons and even form new functional pathways. Through this process, you progress from the raw, unrefined movements of a novice to the powerful, precise movements of an expert.
Optimizing your motor cortex helps your muscles perform better in a number of ways.
Skill
Motor skills rely on the brain to send signals to the correct muscles and parts of muscles in the right order. Through plasticity, your brain is able to ensure that your neurons are working together for a precise result, like playing an instrument, sinking a putt, or leaping a hurdle.
Endurance
Endurance relies on the motor cortex to repeat an action for an extended period of time. Each time you take a step, swim a stroke, or pedal a bike, your brain and your muscles consume energy. Via plasticity, your training leads to more efficient movements, reducing the energy cost of each action and allowing you to endure for a longer period of time.
Strength
Strength relies on the motor cortex to ensure that your muscle fibers are contracting together and not competing with each other. Powerful output requires the coordination of the many thousands of neurons that activate a group of primary and synergist muscles. With plasticity, the brain learns to contract more useful muscle fibers and relax opposing fibers, allowing you to lift more.
Academic Research
Halo Sport builds on decades of academic research surrounding tDCS, TES, and other types of non-invasive brain stimulation. Over two thousand peer-reviewed papers speak to the efficacy, reliability, and safety of Halo Sport.
In-House Research
Thousands of hours of double-blind studies with more than 1,200 people have proven the efficacy, reliability, and safety of Halo Sport.
Medical Grade Engineering
Halo Sport is built with medical-grade engineering, including a quality system based on the ISO 13485 standard and safety and human factors engineering based on ISO 14971.
Our Team
Our leadership team brings an MD, a Ph.D, and 30 years in neuroscience to Halo. Their previous company, NeuroPace, changed the lives of thousands of people suffering from epilepsy.
RESEARCH
Read the latest from the Halo Neuroscience Sports Research Lab.