Neuromuscular Function and Performance in Athletes With or Without Bruxism

NCT07556211 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 2026/241
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the associations between bruxism and neuromuscular function, as well as athletic performance, in a population of amateur athletes. Particular attention will be paid to musculoskeletal disorders associated with bruxism, particularly in the shoulder. Participants' history of sports injuries will also be recorded. To control for the effect of potential confounding variables, levels of stress, anxiety, and mood, as well as sleep quality, will be systematically measured using validated questionnaires.

Conditions

Bruxism

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (13)

• Muscular Tone

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives : F - Natural Oscillation Frequency \[Hz\], characterizing Tone or Tension (higher values = higher tension)

  Baseline

• Dynamic Stiffness

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives : S - Dynamic Stiffness \[N/m\] (This biophysical parameter reflects the muscle's ability to resist contractions or external stresses to deformation, it can increased with exercice or pain)

  Baseline

• Muscular elasticity

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives parameter of the neuromuscular function: D - Logarithmic Decrement \[relative unit\], characterizing Elasticity (Higher values = lower elasticity)

  Baseline

• Muscular Mechanical Stress Relaxation Time

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives : R - Mechanical Stress Relaxation Time \[ms\] (low value correspond to fast tissue recovers its shape)

  Baseline

• Muscular Creep

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives : C - Ratio of Relaxation and Deformation time \[relative unit\], characterizing Creep (Higher Creep Value: Indicates higher fluidity, meaning the muscle is less rigid)

  Baseline

• Maximal grip strength test

  Will be evaluated with the Eforto device, which is the first validated device to measure maximal grip strength test. One value in kPa. Higher values indicate higher muscle strength.

  Baseline

• Muscle fatigue

  Will be evaluated with the Eforto device, which is the first validated device to measure muscle fatigability (fatigue resistance test, which was shown to reflect the level of both muscle energy and metabolism, neuromuscular function, and immune and stress responses). One value obtained, in seconds. Cut-off normative values in healthy 25-35 year-old male and female people are available, and lower values indicate increased muscle fatigability.

  Baseline

• Trapeze isometric force

  Will be evaluated with dynamometer, higher values (unit is N) meaning higher muscular isometric force

  Baseline

• Muscular Tone

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives : F - Natural Oscillation Frequency \[Hz\], characterizing Tone or Tension (higher values = higher tension)

  15-30 minutes after training

• Dynamic Stiffness

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives : S - Dynamic Stiffness \[N/m\] (This biophysical parameter reflects the muscle's ability to resist contractions or external stresses to deformation, it can increased with exercice or pain)

  15-30 minutes after training

• Muscular elasticity

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives parameter of the neuromuscular function: D - Logarithmic Decrement \[relative unit\], characterizing Elasticity (Higher values = lower elasticity)

  15-30 minutes after training

• Muscular Mechanical Stress Relaxation Time

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives : R - Mechanical Stress Relaxation Time \[ms\] (low value correspond to fast tissue recovers its shape)

  15-30 minutes after training

• Muscular Creep

  Myotonometry will be performed with the MyotonPRO device, a digital palpation device, on the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, erector spinae and quadriceps muscles at rest, The device gives : C - Ratio of Relaxation and Deformation time \[relative unit\], characterizing Creep (Higher Creep Value: Indicates higher fluidity, meaning the muscle is less rigid)

  15-30 minutes after training

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Shoulder - passive range of motion

  Baseline

• Cervical spine mobility

  Baseline

• Athletic performance

  Baseline

• History of sports injuries

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

athlete

amateur athletes in the Province of Liège, aged between 18 and 35

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Amateur athletes from the Province of Liège

You may qualify if:

• Practices swimming or handball 3 to 8 hours per week.
• Has the cognitive/mental capacity to take part in this study.
• Fluent in the language of the survey (French).

You may not qualify if:

• Current orthodontic treatment or treatment completed within the last 2 months.
• Shoulder and/or cervical spine injury or surgery within the past 6 months.
• Current cessation or limitation of sports activity due to shoulder and/or cervical symptoms at the time of participation.
• Any pathology or history of trauma to the dominant hand resulting in reduced grip strength.
• Any clinically manifest infectious episode at the time of participation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mainjot Amélie: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Liège

Liège, 4020, Belgium

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bruxism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Tooth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Habits; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 9, 2026
• First Posted: April 29, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2028
• Last Updated: April 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BE (1)