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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
09:26
Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus
Published on: November 6, 2014
Age and sex differences in orofacial strength.
Heather M Clark1, Nancy Pearl Solomon
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. clarkhm@appstate.edu
Dysphagia
|February 26, 2011
Summary
Men have stronger lip and cheek muscles than women, but tongue strength is similar. Older adults show reduced tongue strength compared to younger individuals, highlighting age-related orofacial differences.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Gerontology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Orofacial strength is crucial for functions like swallowing and speech.
- Understanding age and sex variations in orofacial muscles is essential for clinical assessments.
- Previous research indicates potential declines in orofacial function with aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age- and sex-related differences in orofacial muscle strength.
- To compare tongue, lip, and cheek strength between adult men and women.
- To examine the correlation between age and orofacial strength measures.
Main Methods:
- Healthy adult men (N=88) and women (N=83) participated.
- Orofacial strength was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI).
- Specific measures included tongue elevation, protrusion, lateralization, cheek compression, and lip compression.
Main Results:
- Men exhibited greater lip and cheek compression strength than women.
- No significant sex differences were found in tongue strength.
- Older adults demonstrated reduced tongue protrusion, lateralization, and elevation strength compared to younger groups.
- Lip and cheek strength showed no age-related decline.
Conclusions:
- Orofacial strength varies by sex, with men showing greater lip and cheek strength.
- Aging is associated with decreased tongue strength, corroborating existing literature.
- These findings contribute to understanding normal orofacial strength, aiding in the interpretation of orofacial weakness in conditions like dysphagia.
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