Abstract
Experience has shown that repositioning the mandible may have an influence on the
athletic performance. Many athletes with or without occlusal problems are now using
mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance (MORA) supposedly to optimize their
performance [14]. In golf, the players do not have any direct opponent and they have different clubs
to reach various distances. Therefore, an automatic swing permits the uncertainty
of the movement to be restricted. The aim of this study was to analyze if the use
of the MORA could have an effect on the stability of the kinematic pattern in golf
swing, connected to the capacity of the golfers to reproduce their swing from kinematic
perspective. The measures of kinematic data have been established with the optoelectronic
system VICON™ (Oxford’s Metrix™, Oxford, UK) with five cameras operating at 50 frames per second. Measurements of
the speed of the ball at impact were obtained with a radar (Bridgestone HD.01, Science
eye, USA). Six professional (current handicap ranging from 0 to 4) right-handed golfers
participated in the study. Six MORA were made and adjusted to fit each player. Each
golfer performed five swings without mouthpiece and five with the MORA. The results
of this study show that there was no difference related to the MORA on kinematic pattern
of the golf swing. Moreover, there were significant differences concerning the ball
speed at the impact, among the two test conditions, with or without the appliance
(p < 0.03). The percentage of variability indicates that the speed with MORA was more
regular than the speed without the appliance.
Key words
Golf swing · kinematics · orthopedic appliance
References
- 1
Adlington G S.
Proper swing technique and biomechanics of golf.
Clin Sports Med.
1996;
15
9-25
- 2 Barclay J K, McIlroy W E.
Effect of skill level on the muscle activity in neck and forearm muscles during the
golf swing. In: Cochran AJ (ed) Science and Golf I: Proceedings of the world scientific Congress
of Golf. London; E&FN Spon 1992: 49-53
- 3
Bates R E, Atkinson W B.
The effect of maxillary MORAs on strength and muscle efficiency tests.
J Craniomandib Pract.
1983;
1
37-42
- 4
Burden A M, Grimshaw P N, Wallace E S.
Hip and shoulder rotations during the golf swing of sub-10 handicap players.
J Sport Sci.
1998;
16
165-176
- 5
Cahalan T D, Cooney W P, Tamai K, Chao E.
Biomechanics of the golf swing in players with pathologic conditions of the forearm
wrist and hand.
Am J Sports Med.
1991;
19
288-293
- 6 Cochran A J, Stobbs J. The Search for the Perfect Swing. London; Heineman 1968:
224
- 7
Gabaree W F.
The mandibular repositioning appliance, temporomandibular muscular balance on athletic
performance.
J Conn State Dent Ass.
1981;
55
6-8
- 8 Gelb H.
Effective management and treatment of craniomandibular syndrome. In: Gelb H (ed) Clinical Management of Head, Neck and TMJ Pain and Dysfunction. Philadelphia;
WB Saunders 1977
- 9
Greenberg M S, Cohen S G, Springer P H, Kotwick J E, Vegso J J.
Mandibular position and upper body strength, a controlled clinical trial.
JADA.
1981;
103
576-580
- 10
Kao J T, Pink M, Jobe F W, Perry J.
Electromyography analysis of the scapular muscles during a golf swing.
Am J Sports Med.
1995;
23
19-23
- 11
Kaufman R S.
Case reports of TMJ repositioning to improve scoliosis and the performance by athletes.
N Y State Dent J.
1980;
46
206-209
- 12
Kaufman A, Kaufman R S.
An experimental study on the effects of the MORA on football players.
J Conn State Dent Ass.
1982;
16
22-25
- 13
Rocabado M.
Biomechanical relationship of the cranial, cervical and hyoid region.
J Craniomandib Pract.
1983;
12
64-70
- 14
Schubert M M, Guttu R L, Hunter L H, Hall R, Thomas R.
Changes in shoulder and leg strength in athletes wearing mandibular orthopedic repositioning
appliances.
JADA.
1984;
108
334-347
- 15
Smith S D.
Muscular strength correlated to jaw posture and the temporomandibular joint.
N Y State Dent J.
1978;
44
278-284
- 16
Verban E M.
A biomechanical analysis of the effects of a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance
on the shoulder strength.
J Craniomandib Pract.
1984;
2
232-237
- 17
Watkins R G, Uppal G S, Perry J, Pink M, Dinsay J M.
Dynamic electromyographic analysis of trunk musculature in professional golfers.
Am J Sports Med.
1996;
24
535-538
- 18
Williams M O, Chaconas S J, Bader P.
The effect of mandibular position on appendage muscle strength.
J Prosthet Dent.
1983;
49
560-567
- 19
Yates J, Koen J, Semenick M, Kuftinec M.
Effect of the mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance on muscular strength.
J Am Dent Ass.
1984;
108
331-333
C. Egret
University of Sports
Boulevard Siegfried · 76821 Mont Saint Aignan · France ·
Telefon: +33 (232) 107794
Fax: +33 (232) 107793
eMail: claire_egret@yahoo.fr
