Effects of Dental Occlusion on Body Sway, Upper Body Muscle Activity and Shooting Performance in Pistol Shooters

Occlusal splints, to some extent, have been related to reduced body sway in a static position and increased muscle activity in the upper limbs. However, how dental occlusion status affects sports performance remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether occlusal splints that reposition the temporom...

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Main Authors: Amândio A. Dias, Luís A. Redinha, Luís M. Silva, Pedro C. Pezarat-Correia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:Applied Bionics and Biomechanics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9360103
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author Amândio A. Dias
Luís A. Redinha
Luís M. Silva
Pedro C. Pezarat-Correia
author_facet Amândio A. Dias
Luís A. Redinha
Luís M. Silva
Pedro C. Pezarat-Correia
author_sort Amândio A. Dias
collection DOAJ
description Occlusal splints, to some extent, have been related to reduced body sway in a static position and increased muscle activity in the upper limbs. However, how dental occlusion status affects sports performance remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether occlusal splints that reposition the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) influenced body posture, muscle activity, and performance in 10-meter pistol shooters. Thirteen national-level male shooters (age = 38.8 ± 10.9 yrs) were recruited for this study, and cleared of any cervical pathology. An occlusal splint (OS) and a placebo splint (PS) were fabricated for each of the subjects, with the mandibular and maxillary position verified by an expert dentist, with the aid of an adjustable articulator. Surface electromyography (EMG) was assessed in the upper limb that holds the pistol while the subjects were standing on a force platform. Subjects performed two series of 10 shots for each of the three experimental conditions (OS, PS, N (no splint)) in randomized order, with the mandible in a rest position. Results revealed similar centre of pressure (COP) parameters in all conditions, despite a reduction in the average oscillation area caused by the OS. There were also no significant differences in EMG activity between conditions in the five upper limb muscles monitored. Consistent with this, shooting performance was similar in all conditions, despite a reduction in shot dispersion in subjects using OS. Thus, changes in dental occlusion status induced by OS do not affect body posture, upper limb EMG muscle activity, or shot performance in healthy male pistol shooters.
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spelling doaj-art-71846d40bd764f668d01ccaa6b3967c02025-08-20T02:06:32ZengWileyApplied Bionics and Biomechanics1176-23221754-21032018-01-01201810.1155/2018/93601039360103Effects of Dental Occlusion on Body Sway, Upper Body Muscle Activity and Shooting Performance in Pistol ShootersAmândio A. Dias0Luís A. Redinha1Luís M. Silva2Pedro C. Pezarat-Correia3Neuromuscular Research Lab, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1495-687 Cruz Quebrada, PortugalFaculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1600-277 Lisboa, PortugalInstituto Piaget, Campus de Almada, 2805-059 Almada, PortugalNeuromuscular Research Lab, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1495-687 Cruz Quebrada, PortugalOcclusal splints, to some extent, have been related to reduced body sway in a static position and increased muscle activity in the upper limbs. However, how dental occlusion status affects sports performance remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether occlusal splints that reposition the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) influenced body posture, muscle activity, and performance in 10-meter pistol shooters. Thirteen national-level male shooters (age = 38.8 ± 10.9 yrs) were recruited for this study, and cleared of any cervical pathology. An occlusal splint (OS) and a placebo splint (PS) were fabricated for each of the subjects, with the mandibular and maxillary position verified by an expert dentist, with the aid of an adjustable articulator. Surface electromyography (EMG) was assessed in the upper limb that holds the pistol while the subjects were standing on a force platform. Subjects performed two series of 10 shots for each of the three experimental conditions (OS, PS, N (no splint)) in randomized order, with the mandible in a rest position. Results revealed similar centre of pressure (COP) parameters in all conditions, despite a reduction in the average oscillation area caused by the OS. There were also no significant differences in EMG activity between conditions in the five upper limb muscles monitored. Consistent with this, shooting performance was similar in all conditions, despite a reduction in shot dispersion in subjects using OS. Thus, changes in dental occlusion status induced by OS do not affect body posture, upper limb EMG muscle activity, or shot performance in healthy male pistol shooters.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9360103
spellingShingle Amândio A. Dias
Luís A. Redinha
Luís M. Silva
Pedro C. Pezarat-Correia
Effects of Dental Occlusion on Body Sway, Upper Body Muscle Activity and Shooting Performance in Pistol Shooters
Applied Bionics and Biomechanics
title Effects of Dental Occlusion on Body Sway, Upper Body Muscle Activity and Shooting Performance in Pistol Shooters
title_full Effects of Dental Occlusion on Body Sway, Upper Body Muscle Activity and Shooting Performance in Pistol Shooters
title_fullStr Effects of Dental Occlusion on Body Sway, Upper Body Muscle Activity and Shooting Performance in Pistol Shooters
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Dental Occlusion on Body Sway, Upper Body Muscle Activity and Shooting Performance in Pistol Shooters
title_short Effects of Dental Occlusion on Body Sway, Upper Body Muscle Activity and Shooting Performance in Pistol Shooters
title_sort effects of dental occlusion on body sway upper body muscle activity and shooting performance in pistol shooters
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9360103
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