The influence of mandibular stretching in athletes subjected to high intensity workout and in cyclists

A recent study in normotensive subjects showed that a ten minutes submaximal opening of the mouth, obtained by a Special-Device placed between the upper and lower incisors, induces a significant and long-lasting reduction of both systemic arterial blood pressure and cardiac frequency rate . It has been demonstrated that this phenomenon is produced by proprioceptive stimulation of the trigeminal nerve through the activation of the vagus nerve, as suggested by previous evidences, where various surgical manipulations performed in the facial regions led to hypotension and bradycardia (trigeminal–cardiac reflex, TCR). The experimental TCR induction by using the Spring-Device (SP-D)(Asa-Dental, Lucca, Italy) started with a gauge to measure the maximum opening of the mouth before subjecting the patient to stretch. SP-D was applied according to different protocols. Recordings on posturometric and stabilometric platform (Lizard, Como, Italy) have been carried out. In athletes subjected to high intensity workout the application of SP-D resulted in a significant improvement in the time of performance and in a more rapid and effective recovery after the training, as evaluated by lactic acid levels. Also in the cyclists subjected to endurance the use of SP-D has improved the performance and reduced the values of the cardiac parameters.