This study assessed the influence of a reduction of the palate extension of a custom-made mouthguard on the degree of satisfaction of elite water polo players. Eighteen water polo players wore a custom-made conventional mouthguard or a reduced palate extension mouthguard during the training sessions and for competing for two weeks. The sequence was randomized to obtain one-half of the participants started the first week wearing the conventional mouthguard, and the other half wearing the shortened mouthguard. The participants rated the degree of discomfort in reference to speech, breathing, swallowing, nauseas/vomiting, pressure/pain, loosening, aesthetics, and athletic performance, in a 10-point scale, considering 0 no discomfort and 10 maximum discomfort. After each session, players also rated the perception of protection and the degree of satisfaction in a 10-point scale, considering 0 no protection/satisfaction and 10 maximum protection/satisfaction.
This crossover intervention study aimed to assess the influence of a reduction of the palate extension of a custom-made mouthguard on the degree of satisfaction of elite water polo players. Eighteen water polo players participated in this study. Two different custom-made mouthguards were made, a conventional one and a reduced palate extension mouthguard. They wore them during the training sessions and for competing one type of mouthguard for the first and fourth week and the other type of mouthguard for the second and third week. The sequence was randomized to obtain one-half of the participants started the first week wearing the conventional mouthguard, and the other half wearing the shortened mouthguard. The participants rated the degree of discomfort or inconvenience in reference to speech, breathing, swallowing, nauseas/vomiting, pressure/pain, loosening, aesthetics, and athletic performance, in a 10-point scale, considering 0 no discomfort/inconvenience and 10 maximum discomfort/inconvenience. After each session, players also rated the perception of protection and the degree of satisfaction in a 10-point scale, considering 0 no protection/satisfaction and 10 maximum protection/satisfaction.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
18
Use of a conventional custom-made mouthguard while playing water polo
Use of a shortened custom-made mouthguard while playing water polo
Jordi Martinez-Gomis
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Degree of satisfaction with the mouthguard
Participant satisfaction was assessed by asking the question "How satisfied are you with your mouthguard?" using a 0-10 point scale, considering 0= totally dissatisfied and 10= totally satisfied. Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
Degree of interference on speech while using the mouthguard
The degree of interference on speech while using the mouthguard was assessed by asking the question "How much do you think wearing the mouthguard interferes your ability to speech?" using a 0-10 point scale (considering 0= Not at all to 10= very much). Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
Degree of interference on breathing while using the mouthguard
The degree of interference on breathing while using the mouthguard was assessed by asking the question "How much do you think wearing the mouthguard interferes your ability to breath?" using a 0-10 point scale (considering 0= Not at all to 10= very much). Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
Degree of interference on swallowing while using the mouthguard
The degree of interference on swallowing while using the mouthguard was assessed by asking the question "How much do you think wearing the mouthguard interferes your ability to swallow?" using a 0-10 point scale (considering 0= Not at all to 10= very much). Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
Degree of discomfort regarding the gag reflex while using the mouthguard
The degree of discomfort regarding the gag reflex while using the mouthguard was assessed by asking the question "How much do you think wearing the mouthguard causes a gag reflex?" using a 0-10 point scale (considering 0= Not at all to 10= very much). Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
Degree of discomfort because the mouthguard fits too tight
The degree of discomfort because the mouthguard fits too tight was assessed by asking the question "How much do you think the mouthguard fits too tight?" using a 0-10 point scale (considering 0= Not at all to 10= very much). Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
Degree of discomfort because the mouthguard fits too loose
The degree of discomfort because the mouthguard fits too loose was assessed by asking the question "How much do you think the mouthguard fits too loose?" using a 0-10 point scale (considering 0= Not at all to 10= very much). Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
Degree of interference on aesthetics while using the mouthguard
The degree of interference on aesthetics while using the mouthguard was assessed by asking the question "How much do you think wearing the mouthguard interferes on aesthetics?" using a 0-10 point scale (considering 0= Not at all to 10= very much). Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
Degree of interference on athletic performance while using the mouthguard
The degree of interference on athletic performance while using the mouthguard was assessed by asking the question "How much do you think wearing the mouthguard interferes athletic performance?" using a 0-10 point scale (considering 0= Not at all to 10= very much). Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
Degree of protection with the mouthguard
The degree of protection perceived by the participant was assessed by asking the question "How much do you feel protected when you are wearing the mouthguard?" using a 0-10 point scale (considering 0= Not at all to 10= very much). Players rated the mouthguard just after each training session or after each match.
Time frame: Weeks 1-4
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