ACUTE EFFECTS OF JAW CLENCHING USING A CUSTOMIZED MOUTHGUARD ON ANAEROBIC ABILITY AND VENTILATORY FLOWS

This article is an original research on the acute effects of custom-made mouthguard on athletic performance. The latest findings on the ergogenic effects of a dentistry-design, bite-aligning mouthpiece require additional research to assess its impact on anaerobic ability and ventilatory parameters. This paper was aimed at determining the ergogenic acute effects of wearing a custom-made mouthpiece on oral airflow dynamics, 30-sec Wingate Anaerobic Test performance parameters. Twenty-eight healthy and physically-active male subjects (age: 24.50 ± 3.32, height: 181.34 ± 7.4, weight: 78.14 ± 8.21), were voluntarily studied. The subjects were first briefed on the test protocols, and then performed the 30s Wingate test and Spirometer test. The experimental trials were performed in a random counterbalanced order. We evaluate maximum expiratory volume (VEmax L·min-1), mean power (W·Kg-1), peak power (W·Kg-1), time to peak (s), rate to fatigue (W·s -1) and lactate production (mMol·L-1), rate of perceived exertion (RPE). There were significant differences between mouthguard and no-mouthguard conditions in mean power (W·Kg-1), peak power (W·Kg-1), time to peak (s), and rate to fatigue (W·s-1) for the 30-sec Wingate Anaerobic Test. Significantly lower lactate production (mMol·L-1) was observed, in mouthguard condition but no significant differences were found in RPE. In airflow dynamics, the VEmax L·min-1 was significantly higher when comparing the mouthguard and the no mouthguard conditions in both forced and unforced conditions. In conclusion, wearing a customized mouthguard improves anaerobic ability and increases forced expiratory volume. This study will help practitioners improve athlete’s performance in anaerobic activities where high intensity action might provoke jaw-clenching, contributing in reductions of lactate and fatigue, and improving ventilatory parameters.

本文为一项关于定制护齿器（custom-made mouthguard）对运动表现急性影响的原创性研究。目前关于牙科设计、咬合对齐式护齿器的增能效应的最新研究结论，仍需更多研究以评估其对无氧能力与通气参数的影响。本研究旨在探究佩戴定制护齿器对口腔气流动力学及30秒温盖特无氧测试（Wingate Anaerobic Test）表现参数的急性增能效应。本研究共招募28名健康且经常进行体育锻炼的男性受试者（年龄：24.50±3.32岁，身高：181.34±7.4cm，体重：78.14±8.21kg），所有受试者均自愿参与。受试者首先接受测试流程说明，随后完成30秒温盖特无氧测试与肺量计（Spirometer）测试。实验采用随机平衡顺序开展。本研究评估的指标包括：最大呼气量（VEmax，单位：L·min⁻¹）、平均功率（单位：W·Kg⁻¹）、峰值功率（单位：W·Kg⁻¹）、达峰时间（单位：s）、疲劳速率（单位：W·s⁻¹）、乳酸生成量（单位：mMol·L⁻¹）以及自觉用力程度评分（Rate of Perceived Exertion, RPE）。在30秒温盖特无氧测试中，佩戴护齿器与未佩戴护齿器两种条件下，受试者的平均功率、峰值功率、达峰时间及疲劳速率均存在显著差异。佩戴护齿器条件下的乳酸生成量显著降低，但两组的自觉用力程度评分无显著差异。在气流动力学层面，无论用力呼吸还是平静呼吸条件下，佩戴护齿器时的最大呼气量均显著高于未佩戴护齿器时。综上，佩戴定制护齿器可提升受试者的无氧能力，并增大用力呼气量。本研究可为运动从业者提供参考，助力其在高强度动作可能引发紧咬牙的无氧运动中提升运动员表现，通过降低乳酸堆积与疲劳程度、改善通气参数，最终优化运动表现。