The effects of mouthguards on the athletic ability of professional golfers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of stabilization splints and mouthguards on the athletic ability of professional golfers. For this study, eight professional golfers with a mean age of 20.5 were selected. These participants performed four trials of 10 driver swings and 10 putts with or without a stabilization splint (control group) or mouthguard. For the 4th trial, the splints were adjusted using a simple blind test so that the participants were unaware of the unilateral molar contact. The drive distance, club head speed, initial ball speed, and putting accuracy were compared and analyzed before and after the application of equal bilateral molar occlusion. When the bilateral molar occlusion was applied using a mouthguard or stabilization splint, the club head speed and driving distance in the presence of the oral appliances were significantly increased compared with those without the presence of either appliance (P < 0.05). Alternatively, the initial ball speed and putting accuracy in the presence of these appliances were increased compared with those without the presence of an appliance; however, this effect was not statistically significant. When the mouthguards or stabilization splints were adjusted to result in unilateral molar occlusion, the club head speed and driving distance in the presence of the appliances were significantly decreased compared with those that were obtained without these appliances (P < 0.05). The initial ball speed and the putting accuracy were not affected by the use of the appliances. No difference was observed in the effectiveness of the stabilization splint and mouthguard when bilateral molar occlusion was performed. The occlusion stability that results from stabilization splints and mouthguards is thought to increase the club head speed and driving distance in professional golf players.

Analysis of the characteristics of mouthguards that affect isokinetic muscular ability and anaerobic power

“…To control variables associated with occlusal position, we designed protocols to maintain mandibles in a fixed position with 2 mm increase in vertical dimension from the midpoint of the line connecting the deepest gingival points of canines and premolars. While the vertical position of the mandible most likely to confer systemic effects has been known unclear and even considerably variable over individuals, vertical increase of 2 mm is frequently used by several studies on the fabrication of mouthguards, corresponding the range of freeway space 11,29. Moreover, Chakfa et al reported that when gradually increasing the vertical dimension from ICP, maximum increases in cervical flexors and deltoid muscular strength were obtained in the 2 to 12 mm range of vertical dimension 11.…”

“…The mechanisms underlying the effects of intraoral appliances, including the effect of mouthguards on physical performance might be due to a change in condylar position,36 a horizontal or a vertical mandibular shift,26 or a change in the distribution of occlusal force 29,37. In a previous study on the effects of the even distribution of occlusal force, it was found that unilateral occlusion or disharmony in the left and right masticatory muscles led to deviations of cervical vertebrae 38.…”

“…On the other hand, Abduljabbar et al in a placebo controlled study found that when a mouthguard was applied in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients with loss of vertical dimension in several occlusal conditions, strengths of shoulder and knee joints improved significantly 27. Thus, controversy over the systemic effects of intraoral appliances including mouthguards persists,28 and although many studies supported the positive systemic effects of intraoral appliances, it is difficult to draw a solid conclusion 11,12,27,29,30…”

Intérêt des protège-dents pour l’amélioration des performances physiques et sportives : revue de 50 ans de recherche médicale

“…ont montré que le port de protège-dents de performance, réalisés selon les principes de la dentisterie neuromusculaire ou des dispositifs MORA, permettait d'améliorer les performances musculaires [3,4,16,17,[53][54][55] que ce soit en termes de :…”

The effect of oral motor activity on the athletic performance of professional golfers

“…In this context, recent studies investigated the performance of golf professionals while using stabilizing splints. Whereas Egret et al (2002) observed significant reductions in ball speed variability but no changes in average ball speed and kinematic pattern of the golf swing, Kwon et al (2010) and Pae et al (2013) observed significant improvements in driving distance and club head speed when the oral appliances were being used. Because accurate hitting of the ball and transfer of as much momentum as possible to the ball are important aspects of improving one’s driving distance ( Hume et al, 2005 ), it was suggested that the improvements were induced by increased focus of attention at the moment of impact and/or increased muscle strength in the upper and lower extremities.…”