Figure - available from: Sports Medicine
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Forest plot showing comparative effect of bilateral and unilateral training on muscle hypertrophy. Values represent Cohen’s d (95% confidence interval). Each study is listed on the left side of the plot with squares representing the effect size for each study and 95% confidence interval. The square size varies according to the weights assigned to the different studies. The overall effect is included at the bottom of the plot as a diamond with a width corresponding to the confidence interval for the estimated effect; MT muscle thickness, LTM lean tissue mass
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Background
Currently, great debate exists over the proposed superiority of some resistance exercises to induce muscular adaptations. For example, some argue that unilateral exercise (meaning one limb at a time) is superior to bilateral exercises (meaning both limbs). Of note, an evidence-based answer to this question is yet to be determined, partic...
Citations
Background: Physical activity improves quality of life, but competitive sports emphasize performance, leading to intense training and restrictive diets that increase injury risk. This affects the stomatognathic system, underscoring the role of sports dentistry in preventing injuries and orofacial functional changes. This observational study analyzed the stomatognathic system’s functionality in male high-intensity athletes (n = 18) compared to a sedentary group (n = 18). Methods: Functional parameters were analyzed: electromyographic activity during mandibular tasks, masseter and temporal muscles thickness, and molar bite force. Results: Student’s t-test was used for analysis. At mandibular rest, male high-performance athletes showed lower electromyographic activity in the right and left masseter muscles, suggesting adaptation to training. During maximum voluntary contraction, activity was higher in the temporal and masseter muscles, especially in the left masseter, indicating hypertrophy. Electromyographic activity increased during protrusion and lateral movements, particularly in the masseter and temporal muscles, demonstrating a greater functional efficiency group of athletes. They also exhibited greater masseter muscle thickness and thinner temporal muscle thickness, with a significant difference in the right masseter muscle at rest. The group of athletes showed greater molar bite force, with significant differences, indicating greater muscle capacity. Conclusions: Sports practice promotes adaptations in the stomatognathic system, improving its functionality.
