Text Body posture control requires coordination of various muscle groups and frequent adjustments in their activity, evoked by different kinds of sensory input. It is well known that afferent signals from stomatognathic apparatus, particularly those related to lingual function and dental occlusion, play a relevant role in postural control. Therefore, the removal of stomatognathic apparatus malfunction may result in improved muscle force production during exercise, by improving postural stabilization, and motor act planning and execution. Aim Main aim of the study was to assess whether in subjects with swallowing malfunction correct tongue positioning at the palatine spot (PS) during a standardized physical activity significantly increases short-term maximum force and long-term resistant force production. Methods 32 subjects with diagnosed swallowing malfunction were randomly assigned to either experimental (S) or control (C) group. Both groups followed a weightlifting training program 3 days/week for 18 sessions, during which C also followed a specific tongue training program (5 sessions/day of 3 min tongue positioning and maintenance at PS, and tongue maintenance at PS during weightlifting), while S performed aspecific tongue mobilization exercises. Before (PRE) and at the end (POST) of the weightlifting training program, maximum force was evaluated as maximum weight lifted (MW), and resistance force as number of repetitions of lifting a weight 70% of maximum (70%RM). For both groups at both times, tests were performed a) without tongue position control and b) with tongue positioned at PS. Main Results In PRE test MW and number of 70%RM without tongue position control were similar in the 2 groups; correct tongue positioning did not affect MW but significantly increased 70%RM in both groups (P<0.01). In POST test, both MW and 70%RM without tongue control were significantly greater in S relative to C (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively); furthermore, correct tongue positioning increased MW only in S (P<0.01), and increased 70%RM in both groups (P<0.01 in S, P<0.05 in C). Conclusion The results indicate that improving the stability of cranial-cervical-mandibular system by a tongue repositioning training program improves muscle performance during exercise. Furthermore, the improvement observed in submaximal repetitive force production with tongue correct positioning even without preceding tongue repositioning training may be ascribed to acute improved coordination through an immediate effect of Locus Coeruleus stimulation (Calzà et al., 1983) and/or to beneficial effect on repetition of eccentric elongations due to the preceding contraction (not occurring in single maximal maneuvers). References Calzà L., et al. Influenze delle vie noradrenergiche del locus coeruleus sul complesso dei nuclei vestibolari, Acta Otorhinol. Ital., suppl. 2, 3, 31, 1983
Effect of a stomatognatic apparatus on muscle force production
QUARANTELLI M
2013-01-01
Abstract
Text Body posture control requires coordination of various muscle groups and frequent adjustments in their activity, evoked by different kinds of sensory input. It is well known that afferent signals from stomatognathic apparatus, particularly those related to lingual function and dental occlusion, play a relevant role in postural control. Therefore, the removal of stomatognathic apparatus malfunction may result in improved muscle force production during exercise, by improving postural stabilization, and motor act planning and execution. Aim Main aim of the study was to assess whether in subjects with swallowing malfunction correct tongue positioning at the palatine spot (PS) during a standardized physical activity significantly increases short-term maximum force and long-term resistant force production. Methods 32 subjects with diagnosed swallowing malfunction were randomly assigned to either experimental (S) or control (C) group. Both groups followed a weightlifting training program 3 days/week for 18 sessions, during which C also followed a specific tongue training program (5 sessions/day of 3 min tongue positioning and maintenance at PS, and tongue maintenance at PS during weightlifting), while S performed aspecific tongue mobilization exercises. Before (PRE) and at the end (POST) of the weightlifting training program, maximum force was evaluated as maximum weight lifted (MW), and resistance force as number of repetitions of lifting a weight 70% of maximum (70%RM). For both groups at both times, tests were performed a) without tongue position control and b) with tongue positioned at PS. Main Results In PRE test MW and number of 70%RM without tongue position control were similar in the 2 groups; correct tongue positioning did not affect MW but significantly increased 70%RM in both groups (P<0.01). In POST test, both MW and 70%RM without tongue control were significantly greater in S relative to C (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively); furthermore, correct tongue positioning increased MW only in S (P<0.01), and increased 70%RM in both groups (P<0.01 in S, P<0.05 in C). Conclusion The results indicate that improving the stability of cranial-cervical-mandibular system by a tongue repositioning training program improves muscle performance during exercise. Furthermore, the improvement observed in submaximal repetitive force production with tongue correct positioning even without preceding tongue repositioning training may be ascribed to acute improved coordination through an immediate effect of Locus Coeruleus stimulation (Calzà et al., 1983) and/or to beneficial effect on repetition of eccentric elongations due to the preceding contraction (not occurring in single maximal maneuvers). References Calzà L., et al. Influenze delle vie noradrenergiche del locus coeruleus sul complesso dei nuclei vestibolari, Acta Otorhinol. Ital., suppl. 2, 3, 31, 1983I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
