< In a recent article in Rugby World (not a scientific journal!!!) an Italian
dentist by the name of Dr Daniele Chiesa has claimed that up to 19% strength
loss occurs when rugby players wear gumshileds. The rationale for this
statement is that the wearing of the gumshiled prevent the mouth from closing
properly, allowing malalignment. Inorder to make a strength effort we have to
clench our teeth such as in weight lifting. Being prevented from doing so our
neuro-muscular system is affected and so we lose strength!!!
In all my rugby days and athletic days if one was trying to lift a heavy
weight or throw a javelin or shot one generally shouts or yells to get that
extra bit of effort. I personally have never clenched my teeth. Maybe that's
where I went wrong.
I have never come across this theory nor can I find anything in the
literature about this claim. A 19% strength reduction is a rather significant
figure if it is correct. Can anyone enlighten me on this. If this dentist is
correct and he has changed all the Italian team's gumshields then maybe they
might win a game this season in the 6 Nations tournament!!!>>
***I find that very hard to believe. There have been several weightlifters
and powerlifters who have been advised to wear gumguards because they clench
their teeth so strongly during certain stages of the lifts that they can chip
off the cusps of the molars (I happen to have been one of those who has need
costly gold crowns because of my hard bite). None of these lifters has
ever noticed a diminution of strength or power while wearing gumguards. If
only this were true - then any of those lifters who were struggling to squat
1000lbs with gumguards should be able to do 190lbs without the offending
guards!
If this alleged loss of strength does not take place in some of the ultimate
strength sports, then it is unlikely to affect rugby players or American
footballers who do not clench their teeth anywhere are hard as someone
lifting a maximal load.
It would be interesting to see any research done to validate the good
dentist's beliefs. It is not a very difficult task to carry out a basic
study - just let a few top lifters try the same lifts with and without
gumguards. Did he cite any research or does he base his claims on some sort
of alleged TMJ problems or malocclusion theories?
Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Supertraining/
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