Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the ventilatory and gas exchange effects of wearing a mouthguard. Ten healthy men and seven women aged 20-36 years (mean(s.d.) 27.2(5.2) years) were used as subjects. Forced expiratory air volume at 1 s (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rates (PEF) were measured on each subject while wearing either no mouthguards or one of three different over-the-counter mouthguards including one maxillary (mouthguard 1) and two different bimaxillary guards (mouthguards 2 and 3). To determine the effects of wearing each of the mouthguards during exercise, oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured while exercising on a cycle ergometer for 5 min at a light and heavy workload. It can be concluded that although mouthguards may be perceptably uncomfortable and restrict forced expiratory air flow, they appear to be beneficial in prolonging exercise by improving ventilation and economy. Verf.-Referat