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EFFECTS OF MOUTH GUARD USE ON BENCH PRESS, BACK SQUAT, HEART RATE AND PERCEIVED EXERTION

Z Vine
C Ellis

Abstract

Z. Vine & C. Ellis
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN

Traditionally, mouth guards have been utilized as a means of ensuring safety of athletes during sports. Knapik et al. (2007) determined that risk of orofacial sports injury increased 1.6-1.9 times when a mouth guard was not worn. Popularity has recently grown in the sports world concerning the efficacy of mouth guard usage as a way to increase athletic performance. The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of mouth guard use on bench press performance, back squat performance, heart rate, and rate of perceived exertion. Twenty college-age men trained in weight training are participating in this study. A one-sample experimental design will compare differences in the dependent variables of estimated one repetition max (E1RM) for the bench press and squats, perceived exertion (PE), and heart rate (HR) between the independent variables of mouth guard (MG) use and no mouth guard control (CON) trials. Subjects are engaging in warm-up activities to decrease risk of injury. Subjects are performing bench press and back squat exercises to failure with weight equivalent to their individual estimated five-repetition maximum (E1RM) with and without a mouth guard. A survey is determining PE, and an ePulse forearm heart monitor is measuring HR. Treatment conditions (mouth guard and no mouth guard) are being applied in a randomized order. Breathing techniques are also being standardized. Repetitions performed in bench press and back squat, heart rate immediately after each exercise, and rate of perceived exertion immediately after each exercise are being recorded. A Multi-Analysis of Variance will analyze for significant differences (p < 0.05) in E1RM, PE, and HR between the MG and CON conditions. Expected results may reveal no significant differences in the dependent variables between the two conditions. Based on these expected results, mouth guards may be used in weight room settings for safety purposes without any positive or negative consequences on strength performance. Data collection is in progress. IRB # 1314-0255

NACSM Professional Sponsor: Bruce VanDuser

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