When the players of contact sports or some other sports wear a mouth protector, their bite is held raise to some degree. This may exert effects on their capacity for exercise in addition to the intended effect it has of protecting the stomatognathic system. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of a mouth protector on the balancing function (a very important function for sports players), using an instrument capable of measuring fluctuation in the center of gravity. At the same time, the protector's effect on the strength of the upper and lower limb muscles during extension and flexion of the elbow and knee was also assessed, because we hypothesized that the mouth protector might also affect the activity of systemic muscles.
　This study revealed that a 2-mm bite raising due to the use of a mouth protector resulted in a slight decrease in the magnitude of fluctuation of the center of gravity in all subjects, when compared to the findings obtained in the intercuspal position without wearing any mouth protector. Furthermore, muscular strength during extension and flexion of the elbow and knee was slightly increased when the players wore a mouth protector.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.15/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE