Ageing and surface EMG activity patterns of masticatory muscles

• Published in: Journal of oral rehabilitation Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 248 - 255
• Main Authors: CECÍLIO, F. A., REGALO, S. C. H., PALINKAS, M., ISSA, J. P. M., SIÉSSERE, S., HALLAK, J. E. C., MACHADO-de-SOUSA, J. P., SEMPRINI, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-04-2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; ageing; Aging - physiology; Bite Force; Child; Dentistry; Electromyography; Female; Humans; Male; masseter; Mastication - physiology; masticatory muscles; Masticatory Muscles - physiology; Maxillofacial Development; Middle Aged; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Reference Standards; temporalis; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0305-182X; 1365-2842
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2842.2010.02051.x

Summary  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of age on the electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles. All volunteers were Brazilian, fully dentate (except for Group I – mixed dentition), Caucasian, aged 7–80, and divided into five groups: I (7–12 years), II (13–20 years), III (21–40 years), IV (41–60 years) and V (61–80 years). Except for Group V, which comprised nine women and eight men, all groups were equally divided with respect to gender (20 M/20 F). Surface electromyographic records of masticatory muscles were obtained at rest and during maximal voluntary contraction, right and left laterality, maximal jaw protrusion and maximal clenching in the intercuspal position. Statistically significant differences (P < 0·05) were found in all clinical conditions among the different age groups. Considerably different patterns of muscle activation were found across ages, with greater electromyographic activity in children and youth, and decreasing from adults to aged people.