Effects of a Thermoformable Mouthguard on Cervical Posture and Running Performance in Non-professional Runners

The stomatognathic system is functionally connected to the overall body system. Occlusal modification using intraoral devices may therefore influence postural alignment and physiological responses during exercise. However, evidence regarding the combined effects of mouthguard use on cervical posture and running performance remains limited. This study evaluates the effects of a thermoformable mouthguard on craniovertebral angle, heart rate, respiratory rate and running performance in non-professional runners.

Inclusion criteria: * Students from Universidad Europea de Valencia enrolled in dentistry and physiotherapy programs, aged between 18 and 25 years * Regularly engaged in running training, with at least one year of experience * Already participated in an official half marathon * Good general health status * Willingness to comply with the study protocol and provision of written informed consent prior to participation Exclusion criteria: * Subjects reporting a history of muscular injuries, active inflammatory or infectious processes in the last 6 months * Known cardiovascular diseases * Pregnancy * Use of orthopedic shoe insoles * Use of mouthguard during running As I am unable to upload the flow chart image, I have provided its content in text format below. 1. Recruitment * Participants assessed for eligibility (n = 17) * Excluded (n = 8): * Declined participation due to lack of time (n = 3) * Did not meet the inclusion criteria (n = 5) 2. Allocation and follow-up * Participants included in the study (n = 9) * Assigned to both conditions (within-subject design): * Natural occlusion condition (n = 9) * Thermoformable mouthguard condition (n = 9) * Completed follow-up (n = 9) 3. Analysis - Participants included in the final analysis (n = 9)