Decreased exercise capacity in young athletes using self-adapted mouthguards

Abstract

Purpose There is evidence of both the preventive effects and poor acceptance of mouthguards. There are various effects on performance depending on the type of mouthguard model. Hemodynamic responses to wearing a mouthguard have not been described. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of self-adapted mouthguards with breathing channels (SAMGvent). Methods In this randomized crossover study, 17 healthy, active subjects (age 25.12 ± 2.19 years) underwent body plethysmography and performed two incremental exertion tests wearing a (SAMGvent) and not wearing (CON) a mouthguard. Blood lactate, spirometrics, and thoracic impedance were measured during these maximum exercise tests. Results The mean values using a SAMGvent revealed significantly greater airway resistance compared to CON (0.53 ± 0.16 kPa·L−1 vs. 0.35 ± 0.10 kPa·L−1, respectively; p = < 0.01). At maximum load, ventilation with SAMGvent was less than CON (118.4 ± 28.17 L min−1 vs. 128.2 ± 32.16 L min−1, respectively; p = < 0.01). At submaximal loads, blood lactate responses with SAMGvent were higher than CON (8.68 ± 2.20 mmol·L−1 vs. 7.89 ± 1.65 mmol·L−1, respectively; p < 0.01). Maximum performance with a SAMGvent was 265.9 ± 59.9 W, and without a mouthguard was 272.9 ± 60.8 W (p < 0.01). Maximum stroke volume was higher using a SAMGvent than without using a mouthguard (138.4 ± 29.9 mL vs. 130.2 ± 21.2 mL, respectively; p < 0.01). Conclusion Use of a self-adapted mouthguard led to increased metabolic effort and a significant reduction in ventilation parameters. Unchanged oxygen uptake may be the result of cardiopulmonary compensation and increased breathing efforts, which slightly affects performance. These results and the obvious preventive effects of mouthguards support their use in sports.

The impacts of surgical mask in young healthy subjects on cardiopulmonary function and muscle performance: a randomized crossover trial

“…The results showed increased breathing resistance and limitation of ventilation after wearing medical masks were found both in the unload and load phase that led to decreased VT and V E as well as increased BR% and V E /VCO 2 (slope), which was likely higher during the load phase. Lässing J et al [ 22 ] (14 males, mean age 25.7 ± 3.5 years) confirmed a significant increase in respiratory tract resistance (0.58 ± 0.16 kPa l − 1 vs. 0.32 ± 0.08 kPa l − 1 ; p < 0.01) in patients wearing surgical masks. p < 0.01), and VE also decreased accordingly (77.1 ± 9.3 l min − 1 vs. 82.4 ± 10.7 l min − 1 ; p < 0.01).…”

Effects of Wearing a 50% Lower Jaw Advancement Splint on Biophysical and Perceptual Responses at Low to Severe Running Intensities

“…Without compromising oxygen uptake during exercise, hyperventilation and lower respiratory rates have been collectively associated with lower breathing work and substantially lower airway resistance to airflow [5,32,33]. However, under the influence of different intraoral splints, conflicting and variable findings were described, such as lower ventilation values [7,13], higher respiratory frequency [14] and increased/decreased oxygen uptake values [7,14].…”

effect of phonated breathing on oxygen uptake during and after submaximal cycling

“…The association between anaerobic metabolism and breathing economy in connection to the use of a mouthguard was established (Schulze, Kwast, & Busse, 2019). The results of the studies examining the effect of different mouthguards on athletes' performance concluded that the economy of breathing is improved by wearing mouthguards at high but not moderate exercise intensities (Lässing et al, 2021;Schulze et al, 2019). The mechanism proposed is altered exhalation, potentially against higher resistance produced by mouthguards (Schulze et al, 2019).…”

“…To manipulate exhalation, pursed lip breathing (Tiep, Burns, Kao, Madison, & Herrera, 1986), specially designed mouthguards (Lässing et al, 2021) or simply phonation of some particular voices could be applied during exercise to increase the airways resistance during exhalation. By breathing out against increased resistance, positive expiratory pressure (PEP) is achieved and it is commonly believed that PEP improves ventilation, at least in patients with pulmonary diseases (Fagevik Olsén & Westerdahl, 2009;Fagevik Olsén , Lannefors, & Westerdahl, 2015), and potentially during exercise (Phimphasak, Ubolsakka-Jones, & Jones, 2018).…”

“…There are only a few studies about the effects of BrP on the physiological response to exercise (Green, Benson, & Martin, 2018;Lässing et al, 2021). Our recent study (Klanjšček, 2018) found that BrPs with increased expiratory resistance had a significant favorable effect on the economy of short-lasting trunk stabilization exercise.…”