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Teeth clenching can modify the muscle contraction strength of the lower or upper limbs: systematic review

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Abstract

Objective

This systematic review aimed to investigate the evidence of the interaction between teeth clenching and stimulation on the muscles of the lower and upper limbs.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane library and LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences) databases were used for study selection. Search was carried out during January 2020, including studies published up to the time of search. The research was conducted according to the guidelines outlined in Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 17 studies, using 293 healthy volunteers for the tests, met the inclusion criteria for this review. Found evidence to suggest that teeth clenching during activities involving the lower and upper limbs can enhance neuromotor stimulation, through the H-Reflex.

Conclusion

Teeth clenching and changes in the response of the neuromotor stimuli seem to be promising points of study to improve the planning of sports training and also contribute to assist understanding and rehabilitation of patients with motor limitations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Coronel Bordini, 138/206, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90440-002, Brazil

    Bárbara Capitanio de Souza

  2. Methodist University Center-Porto Alegre Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Randhall Bruce Carteri

  3. South-Brazilian Institute of Courses and Qualifications-ISulbra/College QI, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    André Luiz Lopes

  4. Regional Integrated University of Upper Uruguay and Missions (URI), São Luiz Gonzaga, Brazil

    Bruno Costa Teixeira

Authors
  1. Bárbara Capitanio de Souza
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  2. Randhall Bruce Carteri
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  3. André Luiz Lopes
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  4. Bruno Costa Teixeira
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Contributions

Study conception and design: BCS and BCT. Acquisition of data: BCS and BCT. Analysis and interpretation of data: BCS and ALL. Drafting of manuscript: RBC and ALL. Critical revision: BCS, RBC, ALL and BCT.

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Correspondence to Bárbara Capitanio de Souza.

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de Souza, B.C., Carteri, R.B., Lopes, A.L. et al. Teeth clenching can modify the muscle contraction strength of the lower or upper limbs: systematic review. Sport Sci Health 17, 279–290 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00741-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00741-y

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