Effects of a Thermoformable Mouthguard on Cervical Posture and Running Performance in Non-professional Runners : A Prospective Within-subject Pilot Study
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 10
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Effects on cervical posture (CVA)
研究概览
简要总结
The stomatognathic system is functionally connected to the overall body system. Occlusal modification using intraoral devices may therefore influence postural alignment and physiological responses during exercise. However, evidence regarding the combined effects of mouthguard use on cervical posture and running performance remains limited. This study evaluates the effects of a thermoformable mouthguard on craniovertebral angle, heart rate, respiratory rate and running performance in non-professional runners.
详细描述
A prospective within-subject pilot study was conducted in nine non-professional runners. Each participant was assessed under two conditions : natural occlusion and thermoformable mouthguard. Static cervical posture was evaluated using the craniovertebral angle. Running performance was assessed recording heart rate, respiratory rate and running pace.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Na
- 干预模型
- Single Group
- 主要目的
- Screening
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 25 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Students from Universidad Europea de Valencia enrolled in dentistry and physiotherapy programs, aged between 18 and 25 years
- •Regularly engaged in running training, with at least one year of experience
- •Already participated in an official half marathon
- •Good general health status
- •Willingness to comply with the study protocol and provision of written informed consent prior to participation
排除标准
- •Subjects reporting a history of muscular injuries, active inflammatory or infectious processes in the last 6 months
- •Known cardiovascular diseases
- •Pregnancy
- •Use of orthopedic shoe insoles
- •Use of mouthguard during running
- •As I am unable to upload the flow chart image, I have provided its content in text format below.
- •Recruitment
- •Participants assessed for eligibility (n = 17)
- •Excluded (n = 8):
- •Declined participation due to lack of time (n = 3)
- •Did not meet the inclusion criteria (n = 5)
- •Allocation and follow-up
- •Participants included in the study (n = 9)
- •Assigned to both conditions (within-subject design):
- •Natural occlusion condition (n = 9)
- •Thermoformable mouthguard condition (n = 9)
- •Completed follow-up (n = 9)
- •Analysis - Participants included in the final analysis (n = 9)
研究组 & 干预措施
Voluntarily participation
Participants were recruited by convenience sampling among eligible students enrolled in dentistry and physiotherapy programmes at the Universidad Europea de Valencia between October and November 2025. All participants were invited to participate voluntarily and were included only after meeting the eligibility criteria and providing written informed consent.
干预措施: Thermoformable mouthguard (Other)
结局指标
主要结局
Effects on cervical posture (CVA)
时间窗: Measurements were taken during the training sessions (Day 1)
The CVA served as the primary postural variable, reflecting head and cervical alignment. It was calculated from standardized photographs using the APECS system, based on the angle between a horizontal cervical reference line and a line extending from the tragion to the same point. Lower CVA values indicate a forward head posture.
次要结局
- Heart Rate(Measurements were taken during the training sessions (Day 1))
研究者
Juan Antonio Blaya
Full Professor of Oral Surgery
Universidad Europea de Valencia