FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT AREA   

Medicina dello Sport 2008 June;61(2):147-57

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Influence of malocclusion on posture and physical performance

Angelozzi M. ¹, Venditti G. ¹, Madama M. ¹, Iacovazzi L. ², Sardella F. ³, Valenti M. ⁴, Calvisi V. ²

¹ Facoltà di Scienze Motorie Università degli Studi dell’Aquila, L’Aquila 2 Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche Università degli Studi dell’Aquila, L’Aquila 3 Istituto di Medicina e Scienza dello Sport CONI spa, Roma 4 Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Sanità Pubblica Università degli Studi dell’Aquila, L’Aquila

Aim. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between dental occlusion, physical performance and half squat posture, respectively.
Methods. The study population was 15 asymptomatic patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (cases) and six healthy subjects (controls). Physical performance was assessed by countermovement jump and squat jump tests for lower limbs and hand grip test for upper limbs. A force platform was used to acquire data on half squat posture in 10 repetitions with and without overload. The trials were performed in three different occlusion positions: normal occlusion, occlusion with a bite device and maximal clench.
Results. Statistical analysis of the results showed no correlation between jump and hand-grip performance and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. However forward-backward sway in the centre of gravity showed significant alterations in the maximal clench condition.
Conmclusion. Overstimulation of the paradontal receptor due to dental occlusion may induce postural changes in squat exercise. No alteration in physical performance of young asymptomatic patients was found; however postural adjustments recorded in the first part of the half squat exercise with overload suggest the necessity to prevent the habit of forming dangerous postural adaptations.