title: Association between occlusal force and physical functions in preschool children: a comparison of males and females.
abstract: [Purpose] To determine and compare changes over time in the physical strength of male and female children aged 4-5 years by measuring physical functions such as occlusal forces. [Subjects and Methods] The occlusal force, weight, height, grip strength, standing long jump, ball throwing, timed up and go (TUG), and the 25-m run time were measured of 331 children to determine their physical strength. All the children understood and were capable of completing all tests. [Results] Occlusal force among male infants significantly correlated with all items except ball throwing. Stepwise multiple regression analysis independently associated occlusal force with grip strength. In contrast, occlusal force of female infants significantly correlated with all the tested items. Stepwise multiple regression analysis also independently associated occlusal force with grip strength and TUG in females. [Conclusion] Grip strength indicating upper-limb muscle strength correlated with occlusal forces in both male and female children, whereas TUG, balance and walking ability indicating muscle strength of the lower limbs, correlated with items relevant to everyday functions in female infants. These findings show that different factors are involved in the occlusal forces of male and female children.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Department of Rehabilitation, Hiroshima Cosmopolitan University: 3-2-1 Otsuka Higashi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima 731-3166, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine, Saga University, Japan.
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirao
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Kyoto Tachibana University, Japan.
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation Science, Nishikyushu University, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation Science, Nishikyushu University, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine, Saga University, Japan.
authors.forename: Mizuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hachiya
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation Science, Nishikyushu University, Japan.
authors.forename: Nozomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mitsumaru
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medicine, Saga University, Japan.
authors.forename: Toyoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asami
keywords: Occlusal force; Physical functions; Preschool children
references.citation: J Oral Rehabil. 2003 Aug;30(8):808-11
references.pmid: 12880404
references.citation: Braz Oral Res. 2007 Apr-Jun;21(2):146-52
references.pmid: 17589650
references.citation: J Public Health Dent. 2002 Fall;62(4):214-21
references.pmid: 12474625
references.citation: Arch Oral Biol. 2010 Oct;55(10 ):797-802
references.pmid: 20667521
references.citation: J Phys Ther Sci. 2014 Aug;26(8):1279-82
references.pmid: 25202197
references.citation: Res Q. 1947 Mar;18(1):30-44
references.pmid: 20292088
references.citation: J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2007 Nov;8(9):582-4
references.pmid: 17998114
references.citation: J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 May;27(5):1511-4
references.pmid: 26157252
references.citation: Eur J Orthod. 2005 Feb;27(1):53-7
references.pmid: 15743863