Does a lower jaw protruding device improve running aerobic performance?

Abstract

Using occlusal splints aiming to increase sports performance has recently raised significant interest, being speculated that it could lead to anatomical and physiological changes like upper airway enhancement and corresponding higher oxygen uptake ( O2). We have studied the lower jaw protruding device effect in running aerobic performance. Nine active male subjects performed two testing sessions (with a placebo and with a jaw protruding device) on a treadmill, running 7 x 4 min until exhaustion with 1 km/h increments (48 h rest). O2 and related variables, blood lactate concentrations and rating of perceived exertion were determined for both experimental conditions across three intensity domains. A t-test for repeated measures was used (p < .05) For both experimental conditions and through the low-moderate, heavy and severe running intensity domains, no significant differences were observed in any of the analysed variables (e.g. O2 = 34.54 ± 3.42 vs 34.20 ± 4.89, 39.80 ± 2.39 vs 40.19 ± 4.48 and 43.58 ± 3.80 vs 44.36 ± 4.00 mL·kg−1·min-1, respectively). Data allowed to conclude that this specific lower jaw protruding device did not influence the analysed variables related with running aerobic performance at a large spectrum of exercise intensities. AUTHORS: Filipa Cardoso 1,2 Francisco Maligno 3 Diogo D. Carvalho 1,2 João Paulo Vilas-Boas 1,2 Ricardo J. Fernandes 1,2 João C. Pinho 3 1 Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Portugal 2 Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, LABIOMEP, University of Porto, Portugal 3 Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal https://doi.org/10.5628/RPCD.19.01.72 Corresponding author: Filipa Cardoso. University of Porto. Faculty of Sport. Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, CIFI2D. Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, LABIOMEP. R. Dr. Plácido da Costa 91, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal. +351 22 04 25 200. Email: anafg.cardoso@hotmail.com. 06 73 — RPCD 19 (1): 72-84 Um dispositivo de avanço mandibular implicará um melhor desempenho aeróbio na corrida?