Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with resistance training on college students' performance in completing pull-ups, and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of the training intervention from the perspective of neuromuscular activity control. Methods Twenty-five male college student volunteers were randomly divided into a resistance training group and a tDCS combined with resistance training group. 12 subjects in the resistance training group received a lat pull-down strength training intervention lasting for 8 weeks, with 4 sets of 12 movement repetitions each, 3 times per week. 13 subjects in the tDCS combined with resistance training group received a 20-minute tDCS before the lat pull up resistance training intervention. Lat pull-down isometric voluntary maximal contraction force, 80% 1RM loaded high pull-down maximal repetitions, and conventional pull-up maneuvers were tested before and after the training intervention. Surface EMG signals of the main exertion muscles of the upper limb were recorded during the pull-up maneuver test. Results After the training intervention, the number of pull-ups completed by the experimental group and the control group increased by 1.74 times and 1.42 times, respectively. Both groups of subjects showed significant improvements in their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and the maximum number of repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) for the lat pulldown exercise. However, there were no significant between-group differences in these indicators. Activation levels of the agonist muscles brachioradialis, posterior deltoid, and pectoralis major were significantly decreased during test conmpared to pre-training for both groups. In addition, the co-activation level of the antagonist triceps brachii muscle in the experimental group significantly decreased from 0.50 ± 0.22 to 0.37 ± 0.09 after the training, while there was no significant change in the control group before and after the intervention. Conclusions Eight weeks of tDCS combined with resistance training and resistance training alone can significantly improved the pull-up performance of college students, which may be related to the fact that both types of training can significantly improve the active muscle contraction capacity. Combined with resistance training, tDCS was more effective in decreasing the coactivation level of triceps brachii during pull-ups and increasing the contraction efficiency of elbow joint muscles.