Effect of wearing mouthguards on the physical performance of soccer and futsal players: a randomized cross‐over study

Abstract

The use of custom-fit mouthguards does not affect the aerobic performance of soccer and futsal U-17 players. Future studies should focus on the development of appliances with maximum protection and minimum influence on communication.

Effects of sport-specific training conditions on performance in high school field hockey players.

“…However, it has been found that when using self-adapted MGs, there is no difference in respiratory function, regardless of exercise intensity 6,14,18 . It also has been established through a number of studies that there are no performance decrements in any physiological parameter when a customized MG is used 6,7,14,17,18,20 .…”

“…Mouthguard (MG) use has been proven to protect teeth and other oralfacial areas from trauma during physical activities, which is especially important as the most common type of facial injuries during sports participation are dental 5,6,7,8 . Despite becoming a mandatory part of football safety equipment at the high school level in 1962, it took until 1973 for the NCAA to make MGs compulsory 9 .…”

“…If not enforced, most high school athletes choose not to wear any type of MG during either practice or competition 13,18 . This is reportedly due to athletes claiming that mouthguards negatively affect their breathing and therefore performance, and also are uncomfortable and hinder communication 6,7,16,19 . This leaves athletes vulnerable to severe oral-facial injuries.…”

“…Recent research has found conflicting results regarding whether usage increases the acceptance of MGs. One study found that MG acceptance and ultimately usage increased when adolescents were encouraged to train with MGs, thus enabling them to become more used to the sensation and increasing communication ability and perceived respiratory function 6 . However, conflicting research has shown that four months of usage brought no changes in satisfaction with MGs 20 .…”

“…This style of MG was chosen based on previous research showing no physiological differences between using this style of MG and no MG, as well as due to ease of access and molding capabilities 6,11,13,14,18,20 . …”