Occlusal State and Physical Function of Junior Male Japan National Badminton Team Candidates

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the differences in physical function due to the occlusal state of candidates for the U13, U16, and U19 junior male Japan national badminton team. Method: The participants were male badminton players (U13: 14 players, U16: 22 players, U19: 26 players) nominated as junior Japan representative candidates by the Nippon Badminton Association. Each participant group was divided into an occlusal stable group with a difference of less than 10% in left and right occlusal force and occlusal contact area, and an occlusal unstable group. Physical function was evaluated using sports tests; sit-ups, side steps, skipping rope, double jumps, and 100-m sprints. In each participant group, the differences in maximum occlusal force and scores on each sports test between the stable and unstable occlusal groups were compared using Student’s t-test or Welch test. Results: The maximum occlusal pressure was significantly greater in the occlusal stable group than in the unstable group in the U16 and U19 (P P < 0.01), but no differences were observed between the two in other tests. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that differences in physical function due to the occlusal condition of junior male Japanese national badminton team candidates were observed only in the scores of tests evaluating agility and dexterity, and that athletes with established molar occlusal contacts have better physical function.