Influence of maxillary mouthguards on physiological parameters.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to test the influence of two types of maxillary mouthguards (a self-adapted and a custom-made model: SA and CM, respectively) on various physiological parameters generally associated with performance in team sports.


METHODS
Nineteen trained male subjects participating in team sports were tested. Visual reaction time, explosive power, ventilation at rest, and ventilation and oxygen consumption during submaximal and maximal exercise were measured in three randomized conditions: normal, with SA mouthguards, or with CM mouthguards.


RESULTS
Wearing SA or CM mouthguards did not significantly alter any of the measured parameters compared with the normal condition.


CONCLUSIONS
Wearing a maxillary mouthguard does not affect the main physiological parameters generally associated with team sport performance. These results provide additional support to the policy of encouraging athletes to wear individually fitted maxillary mouthguards.
Bourdin
Muriel
M
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Human Modeling, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Lyon-South Teaching Hospital, Oullins, France. bourdin@univ-lyon1.fr
Brunet-Patru
Isabelle
I
Hager
Pierre-Emmanuel
PE
Allard
Yves
Y
Hager
Jean-Philippe
JP
Lacour
Jean-Rene
JR
Moyen
Bernard
B
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000293:injuries; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena