Effects of Age and Gender during Three Lingual Tasks on Peak Lingual Pressures in Healthy Adults

Lingual function is imperative for important physiological events during oropharyngeal swallowing such as bolus formation and manipulation [1-7]. Contraction of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue [3], in addition to that of the suprahyoid muscles, contribute to functional lingual movements in speech and swallowing [8,9]. Impaired lingual function could result in dysphagia, manifestations of which may include difficulties in mastication, incomplete bolus formation, difficulties in bolus positioning, increased residue, impairments in oral and pharyngeal bolus transit, and premature spillage [4,6,10,11]. Objective values that reflect lingual strength, defined as the “capability of the muscle fibers to produce or resist force” [8, p. 658], include peak swallowing pressure, peak lingual pressure during isometric lingual tasks, and percentage of maximum tongue pressure [1,6,12]. Isometric lingual tasks involve maintaining a static posture of the tongue against resistance, during which the lingual pressure generated can be measured, free of changes in muscle length [8,13]. Purpose: This study examined the effects of age and gender during three intra-oral lingual tasks (elevation, protrusion, and depression) on peak lingual pressure in healthy adults.