Masticatory function according to body mass index. Part II: electromyographic analysis

Introduction: The objective of this study was to explore the electrical activity of the superficial muscles of mastication required to exert unilateral maximum bite force in subjects with different body mass index. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with a sample of 21 participants with an average age of 22.9 ± 3.5 years who were classified according to their body mass index, forming three study groups: normal weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9) and obesity (≥30), with seven participants each. Through surface electromyography, the superficial muscles of mastication during right and left maximum bite force were evaluated. Results: No statistically significant differences in the maximum bite force were observed between the study groups. The data obtained from the electromyographic analysis of the superficial muscles of mastication demonstrate a trend indicating that subjects with a normal body mass index similarly activate the muscles on each side when performing a maximum bite force on a particular side, while overweight or obese subjects demonstrated significantly greater activation of the temporalis muscle associated with the side where the maximal bite force is performed. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the maximum bite force is not influenced by body mass index and that during the performance of a maximum bite force subjects with increased body mass index present a greater activation of the temporalis muscle associated with the side where the maximum bite force was performed.