[Influence of age and contraction strength on the duration of the electromyographic silence period in the elevator muscles of the mandible].
The electromyographic silent period (P.S.) of the elevator muscles is highly variable and seems to be influenced by many factors. The effects of the subject's age and the contraction strength of the muscle were investigated. The subject's age was studied in 51 patients divided in two groups: young adults aged 20 to 35 years and older adults, aged 50 to 65 years. The P.S. difference appearing between the two groups was very small and not significant. Age did not seem to modify the P.S. period in patients who all had satisfactory dentitions and good masticatory function. The influence of the contraction strength was compared in 21 subjects from the preceding group of 51 patients. These 21 patients were asked to perform a maximum voluntary contraction in a position of maximum intercuspidation. The P.S. period was then significantly shorter than in the case of a contraction of medium strength. Most of the workers agreed to the conclusion that an increase in contraction strength involves a reduction of the P.S. almost to its complete disappearance.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000502:physiology*; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction
Influence de l'âge et de la force de contraction sur la durée de la période de silence électromyographique des élévateurs de la mandibule.