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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Non-invasive Assessments of Subjective and Objective Recovery Characteristics Following an Exhaustive Jump Protocol
Published on: June 8, 2017
Jaw clenching results in concurrent activation potentiation during the countermovement jump
William P Ebben1, Eamonn P Flanagan, Randall L Jensen
1Department of Physical Therapy, Program in Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning Research Laboratory, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. webben70@hotmail.com
Abstract:
The study assessed the effect of current activation potentiation by evaluating jaw clenching and its effect on the rate of force development (RFD), time to peak force (TTPF), and peak force (PF) during the countermovement jump. Fourteen subjects performed the countermovement jump on a force platform while maximally clenching their jaw on a dental vinyl mouthguard (JAW) as well as without clenching their jaw by jumping with an open mouth (NON-JAW). Results reveal that the RFD was 19.5% greater in the JAW compared with the NON-JAW condition (p < 0.05). The TTPF was 20.15% less in the JAW compared with the NON-JAW condition (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences (p = 0.60) in PF between the JAW and NON-JAW conditions. These findings indicate that concurrent activation potentiation is manifested through jaw clenching during the countermovement jump. As a result, athletes may employ this strategy of maximally clenching their jaws to gain an ergogenic advantage during the countermovement jump.
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