Improving physical performance when using REHASPLINT orthodontic appliances

Bite correction with the use of orthodontic appliances helps to improve blood circulation by affecting the position of the vertebral artery, normalising muscle tone, reducing pain, and restoring joint mobility. The present study was devoted to the impact of REHASPLINT orthodontic appliances on the physical performance of patients with traumatic brain injuries and traumatic cervical syndrome. The study involved a clinical experiment with 10 patients aged 25 to 38 years. The physical strength assessment included pull-ups, hanging on a crossbar, pushing a medical ball (9 kg), and squeezing a wrist expander. The testing was conducted in two stages: without and with orthodontic mouthguards. The results of the study confirm that the use of mouthguards helps to improve muscle function and overall physical performance by optimising bite biomechanics. The study showed that the use of orthodontic mouthguards during exercise contributes to a significant improvement in the physical performance of participants. When performing pull-ups, the average result increased from 7.3 to 10.7 pull-ups, which indicates an increase in upper body strength by 46.58%. The time spent holding the bar increased from 54.3 to 76.4 seconds, which demonstrates an improvement in endurance and muscle control by 40.7%. When pushing a 9 kg medicine ball, the average distance increased from 4.63 to 5.45 metres, indicating an increase in strength and coordination by 17.73%. Compression of the wrist expander showed an increase in the average result from 128.9 to 152.1 compressions in 60 seconds, increasing arm strength and endurance by 18.04%. The impact of orthodontic mouthguards is most noticeable in exercises requiring coordination and stability, such as holding on to the bar and pushing a ball. The data obtained emphasise the effectiveness of orthodontic mouthguards in the rehabilitation of patients with traumatic brain injury and traumatic cervical syndrome. The use of mouthguards can be recommended to improve the physical capabilities of military personnel and patients during rehabilitation