EFFECT OF PROTECTIVE MOUTHGUARD USE ON EXERCISE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS IN TAEKWONDO

<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> This study investigates the effect of the use of specially designed protective mouthguards on agility, balance, flexibility, reaction time, and handgrip strength parameters from exercise performance parameters in taekwondo players. <strong>Methods:</strong> Thirty-seven athletes between the ages of 18 and 40 participated voluntarily. The study was conducted at the Alanya Budo Taekwondo Sports Club. Measurements were taken with and without the mouthguard, and conducted at least one day apart. Agility T-Test, flexibility Sit and Reach Test, balance Flamingo and Y Balance Test, reaction time Nelson-Hand Reaction Test, grip strength hand dynamometer evaluated. <strong>Results:</strong> There was no significant difference in the parameters of agility, flexibility, balance, reaction time, roasting power with and without a protective mouthpiece (p>0.05). In this study, while the positive effect of the personally designed mouth protector on performance was not observed, no negative effect was seen at the same time. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The use of mouth protectors should be recommended, and the use should be increased because it reduces the severity of the traumas from the orofacial region.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0257/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>