The purpose of this study was to determine if an association exists between tongue strength and lower muscle strength, and skeletal muscle mass, in Taekwondo athletes. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 35 young adults aged ≥ 19 (14 women and 21 men) gave their written informed consent to participate. A bio-impedance body composition analyser determined body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, and other body composition values. A hand-held dynamometer was used to evaluate quadriceps lower muscle strength. Tongue strength was assessed by measuring maximal tongue pressure against a tongue depressor connected to a strain gauge dynamometer. Partial correlation coefficients for tongue strength significantly correlated with skeletal muscle mass (r=0.518, P=0.001), grip strength (r=0.460, P=0.005), and lower muscle strength (r=0.487, P=0.003). However, tongue strength was inversely correlated with flexibility (r=-0.406, P=0.016). After adjusting for sex, tongue strength remained significantly correlated with skeletal muscle mass (r=0.345, P=0.045), and lower muscle strength (r=0.346, P=0.045). This crosssectional study is the first to report the association between tongue strength and grip strength, lower muscle strength, and skeletal muscle mass, in Taekwondo athletes. Our data suggests that the measurement of tongue strength may provide a new approach to determining muscle strength.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.