Accute Effects Of using Custom-made Mouthpiece On Oral Air-flow Dynamics And Wingate Test Parameters

The latest evidences of the ergogenic effects of a dentistry-design bite-aligning mouthpiece required more studies comparing its acute effects in anaerobic ability and ventilatory parameters. However, the cost and the comfortability of the pieces, together with its obstructive effect on air flow dynamics, put the athletes away from its use
PURPOSE: To test the ergogenic acute effects of wearing a custom-made mouthpiece on oral airflow dynamics, 30-sec Wingate Anaerobic Test performance parameters.
METHODS: Twenty-eight healthy and physically active male subjects participated in three sessions. The first session was used to obtain informed consent, to assess anthropometric measurements, and to scan the mouth structure. In the second session, subjects were familiarized with the test protocols during a learning session. During the third session the subjects perform the 30s Wingate test and Spirometer testing. The experimental trials were performed in a random counterbalanced order.
RESULTS: There were significant differences between mouthpiece and no-mouthpiece condition in mean power (W·Kg-1), peak power (W·Kg-1), Time to peak (s), Rate to Fatigue (W·s -1) of a 30-sec Wingate Anaerobic Test. Also, there were significant lower lactate production (mMol·L-1) but no significant differences were found in RPE. In airflow dynamics, the maximum expiratory volume (VEmax L·min-1) was significantly higher when comparing the mouthpiece and the no mouthpiece conditions in both forced and unforced conditions.
CONCLUSIONS: Wearing a customized mouthpiece, the anaerobic ability measured through the performance parameters in Wingate Test has been improved and forced expiratory volume has been increased in an oral airflow testing procedure.