Experimental Analysis of the Use of Cranial Electromyography in Athletes and Clinical Implications
Alessio Danilo Inchingolo, Carmela Pezzolla, Assunta Patano, Sabino Ceci, Anna Maria Ciocia, Grazia Marinelli, Giuseppina Malcangi, Valentina Montenegro, Filippo Cardarelli, Fabio Piras, Irene Ferrara, Biagio Rapone, Ioana Roxana Bordea, Dario Di Stasio, Antônio Scarano, Felice Lorusso, Andrea Palermo, Kenan Ferati, Angelo Michele Inchingolo, Francesco Inchingolo, Daniela Di Venere, Gianna Dipalma
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cranial surface electromyography is assumed to analyze the correlation between the stomatognathic apparatus and the muscular system and its implications on the physical status of professional athletes. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate surface cranial electromyography as an aid in the diagnosis and treatment of occlusal and muscular disorders in professional athletes. METHODS: A sample of 25 athletes (mean age 23 years, 20 men and 5 women) underwent electromyographic recording; among them, 13 had a sports injury condition (symptomatic athletes), while 12 were in perfect physical condition (asymptomatic athletes). At odontostomatological examination, 6 showed cranio-mandibular disorders (dysfunctional athletes), while 19 showed no disorders (functional athletes). The treatment plan to resolve the symptoms of the dysfunctional athletes was chosen based on the electromyographic data. One month after the start of therapy with an occlusal splint, a follow-up was performed, and the results were compared with the initial data. RESULTS: = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: The use of cranial electromyography in competitive athletes is a valuable tool in therapeutic choice aimed at balancing occlusal loads and improving the patient's global tonic postural attitude, resulting in positive feedback in the qualitative assessment of sports performance.