Effects of delayed-onset muscle soreness on masticatory function.

Area of Science:

• Oral physiology
• Muscle physiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common outcome of unaccustomed exercise.
• The effects of DOMS specifically in the masticatory muscles on chewing function are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of experimentally induced DOMS in jaw-closing muscles on subjective and objective measures of masticatory function.
• To assess the recovery of masticatory function following DOMS.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-one healthy female subjects underwent eccentric and concentric contractions to induce DOMS in jaw muscles.
• Measures included visual analogue scale (VAS) for fatigue, pain, and chewing ability, maximum voluntary bite force (MVBF), and the food Mixing Ability Index (MAI).
• Data were collected at baseline, 24 hours, and 1 week post-exercise.

Main Results:

• At 24 hours post-exercise, subjects reported increased muscle fatigue and pain, and a decreased MAI.
• Subjective chewing ability (VAS) and MVBF showed no significant changes over time.
• The decrease in MAI at 24 hours was significantly correlated with reported muscle pain.

Conclusions:

• DOMS in jaw-closing muscles can impair objective measures of chewing ability (MAI) without affecting subjective ratings.
• Masticatory function, as measured by MAI, recovers to baseline levels within one week.
• Muscle pain associated with DOMS is a key factor influencing objective chewing performance.