title: Acute effects of jaw clenching using a customized mouthguard on anaerobic ability and ventilatory flows.
abstract: 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-s 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 (Ws(-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 (Ws(-1)) for the 30-s 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna - Ramon Llull University, c/Císter, 34, 08022 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: josema@blanquerna.url.edu.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna - Ramon Llull University, c/Císter, 34, 08022 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: bernatbs@blanquerna.url.edu.
authors.forename: Bernat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buscà
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna - Ramon Llull University, c/Císter, 34, 08022 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: monicast2@blanquerna.url.edu.
authors.forename: Mònica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solana-Tramunt
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna - Ramon Llull University, c/Císter, 34, 08022 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: adriama@blanquerna.url.edu.
authors.forename: Adrià
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miró
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D001732:Bite Force; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: Anaerobic power; Ergogenic effects; Mouthguard; Ventilation