Influence of sex and resistance training status on orofacial muscle strength and morphology in healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 40: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the orofacial muscle strength and facial muscle thickness between resistance-trained and non-resistance trained men and women. Methods: Resistance-trained (25 men and 22 women) and non-resistance trained (21 men and 30 women) adults (18-40 years) had standard measurements of orofacial muscle strength (ie, anterior tongue elevation, cheek compression, and lip compression) and ultrasound measurements of facial muscle thickness. Body composition (percent fat, etc.) was estimated using ultrasound prediction Equations. A Bayesian analysis of variance (ANOVA) with between subject factors of training status (yes/no) and sex (man/woman) were used to determine differences in muscle size and strength. Results: Body mass, height, and percent fat were similar between resistancetrained and non-resistance trained individuals, while appendicular lean mass was higher in resistance-trained. There were no differences in orofacial muscle strength between resistance-trained and non-resistance trained. However, men had greater strength in every task except for anterior tongue strength which was similar between sexes (men: 66 vs women: 64 kPa). Handgrip strength was greater in men and in those who were resistance-trained. The frontalis muscle was greater in women than in men and in those who were non-resistance-trained than those resistance-trained. None of the other muscles differed by training status, however, all were greater in men. Conclusion: Results from our cross-sectional study would suggest that exercise-stimulation to the facial muscles during resistance training of the limbs and trunk did not reach a level where orofacial muscle strength could be changed. Sex differences in facial muscle thickness are very unique, although the reasons are unclear.

Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Size and Function: Exploring the Influence of Aging and Exercise Training

“…In regard to the influence of aging on the orbicularis oculi muscle size, Volk et al [8] investigated the age-related differences in nine different facial muscles, including the orbicularis oculi, in 140 adults (70 men and 70 women) aged 21-93 years. Ultrasound orbicularis oculi muscle thickness was 16% smaller in women (0.84 mm) than in men (1.00 mm), which was consistent with a previous study [29]. The authors reported that there was a negative correlation (r = −0.242, p = 0.044) between age and muscle thickness of the orbicularis oculi in men but not in women (r = −0.031, p = 0.797).…”

To Play or Not to Play: Can an Instrument Really Impact Lip and Tongue Performance?

“…The administrator then recorded the value of each trial upon completion as well as the participant's peak value (the highest value of the three trials was considered the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) value). Anterior tongue elevation test-retest reliability using the minimal difference has been reported to be 4.5 kPa [14]. Another study also reported that anterior tongue elevation strength test-rest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) varied from 0.83 to 0.93 and the minimal difference varied from 3.96 to 6.41 kPa [15].…”

Effects of Age, Sex, Disease, and Exercise Training on Lip Muscle Strength

“…Lip strength measurements, using the IOPI bulb placed between two wooden blades, have been found to be greater for men than for women [18][19][20]. For example, a study measured 171 participants (men and women) and reported that maximal lip compression, measured via IOPI, was higher in men (33.8 kPa) than in women (22.4 kPa) [18].…”