The Science Behind AIRWAAV: Can a Mouthpiece Make You Stronger?

Would you consider that your power and efficiency may enhance merely by using a mouthpiece? Extra particularly, the AIRWAAV™ Efficiency Mouthpiece?

Maybe being the popular piece of kit for a lot of elite athletes in power sports activities, together with four-time Fittest Man on Earth® Wealthy Froning, 2021 Canada’s Strongest Lady champion Samantha Belliveau, 2022 Canada’s Strongest Man champion Maxime Boudreault, and 2023 Arnold Strongman Traditional champion Mitchell Hooper, may persuade you. If that’s not sufficient, then possibly the mountain of peer-reviewed analysis detailing the efficiency advantages of a mouthpiece may sway you.

That’s what we’ll dive into beneath; what the science says about using a mouthpiece for improved efficiency and why AIRWAAV™ needs to be added to your coaching arsenal.

AIRWAAV™ Efficiency Mouthpiece

The Official Mouthpiece of the 2023 World Strongest Man, this efficiency mouthpiece is custom-built to suit an athlete’s mouth and allows higher respiratory through managed tongue placement. It’s preferrred for aggressive athletes trying to enhance their efficiency and pace up their restoration.

What Is AIRWAAV™ Efficiency Mouthpiece?

In keeping with its web site, the AIRWAAV™ Efficiency Mouthpiece is a custom-fitted machine that trains the place of the tongue “to good probably the most environment friendly manner of opening the airway and optimizing efficiency.” By adjusting the place of the jaw and the tongue, respiratory is made extra pure and environment friendly to enhance efficiency.

Efficiency Advantages

It isn’t a secret {that a} custom-fitted mouthpiece improves efficiency, however why? The reply is a mix of refined results it has on airflow and the way the physique responds because of this. Under are among the most notable efficiency advantages:

Improved Airflow

This isn’t simply promotional speech on an internet site, it’s backed by science. The Compendium of Persevering with Training in Dentistry decided by using CT scans of the cross-sectional space of the oropharynx that “a big distinction in imply width and a rise in imply diameter with a mouthpiece” — imply width improved over two millimeters and imply diameter improved by almost a millimeter. (1)

Higher Endurance

That further house for improved airflow when respiratory considerably impacts how the physique fatigues. Lactate ranges with a mouthpiece are 0.86 mmol/L decrease than with out one, resulting in improved endurance. A research in Navy Drugs discovered that using a mouthpiece improved run instances, anaerobic endurance runs, and leg press, possible because of “higher jaw alignment and/or decreased resistance to airflow.” (2) 

Lactate was cited to be 13 % decrease publish resistance coaching with further analysis citing a 29 % cortisol ranges 10 minutes publish and 39 % decrease half-hour publish resistance train with a decrease mouthpiece. This means that for “those that participate in strenuous anaerobic train, this enchancment in lactate and cortisol may gain advantage restoration mechanisms which might then enhance subsequent coaching classes.”(4)

Oxygen consumption over time is improved throughout an cardio exercise like operating for individuals who use a custom-fitted mouthpiece in comparison with those that don’t. Dental Traumatology discovered soccer gamers had “higher leads to the VO2 and cardio capability checks” whereas carrying a mouthpiece. (5)(6) 

Elevated Power and Energy

Whereas a custom-fitted mouthpiece that improves the positioning of the tongue for higher airflow improves power and efficiency, it isn’t the one facet of the mouthpiece’s advantages. The clenching of the jaw can even enhance power and energy.

The Journal of Power and Conditioning Analysis deemed it “advisable to make use of a custom-made bite-aligning mouthpiece” as they discovered that doing so improved maximal isometric drive and countermovement vertical leap. The “jaw-repositioning” from using a bite-aligned mouthpiece might need an “ergogenic impact on efficiency.” These are the outcomes discovered from using a mouthpiece: (5)(6)

• 13 % enchancment in higher airway quantity
• 10 % enchancment in higher airway width
• Seven % enchancment in air flow
• 5 % enchancment in maximal cardio energy
• 4 % enchancment in time to exhaustion
• Three % enchancment in vertical leap
• Two % enchancment within the broad leap
• 4 % lower in 20-meter dash time
• Two % lower in 40-meter dash time

Along with these sorts of athletic enhancements, a custom-fitted mouthpiece may additionally enhance mindset. When performing submaximal lifts, Common Dentistry discovered that those that wore a mouthpiece “perceived that they have been stronger and have been much less encumbered.” (7)

Mouthpieces may even profit these athletes whose aggressive outlet doesn’t contain heavy cardio or power elements. The “occlusion stability that outcomes from…mouthguards is assumed to extend” rotational pace and energy, reminiscent of”the membership head pace and driving distance in skilled golf gamers.” (8)

Improved Response Time

Improved response time may result in higher total efficiency in aggressive endeavors. Luckily, athletes who undertake using a custom-fitted mouthpiece are more likely to see enhancements in visible and auditory response instances.

Thirty-four members have been examined throughout 40 trials to measure visible and auditory response instances when utilizing a mouthpiece versus foregoing it. The group that used a mouthpiece noticed visible response instances enhance by over eight milliseconds and improved auditory response instances by two milliseconds. (9)

In a contest like CrossFit or just about any sport the place milliseconds make the distinction, utilizing a custom-fitted mouthpiece is a efficiency improve. Notably, “custom-made mouthguards supply higher leads to cardiopulmonary parameters and force-velocity measurements” in comparison with their bite-and-boil counterparts. (10)

What Elite Athletes Say About AIRWAAV™

There are various elite athletes who reap the advantages of AIRWAAV™ Efficiency Mouthpiece. 4-time Fittest Man on Earth® Wealthy Froning is among the many most notable of them and values how AIRWAAV™ brings consciousness to his respiratory. Sustaining higher respiratory and, due to this fact, coronary heart fee is important for restoration, and using a mouthpiece has been proven to lower respiratory fee throughout train. (11)

Froning isn’t the one elite CrossFit competitor to make the most of AIRWAAV™. Their roster of athletes who benefit from the advantages of a custom-fitted mouthpiece additionally contains three-time Fittest Teen on Earth® Dallin Pepper, two-time CrossFit Video games Crew competitor Christian Harris, CrossFit Video games Particular person athletes Danielle Brandon and Emma Cary, and 2020 CrossFit Video games runner-up Samuel Kwant.

2023 Arnold Traditional Champion Mitchell Hooper, who is likely one of the favorites to probably dethrone two-time reigning World’s Strongest Man champion Tom Stoltman in 2023, considers AIRWAAV™ “the way forward for power sports activities.” He discovered his lifts throughout many occasions, together with the deadlift and overhead press, noticeably improved as soon as he included AIRWAAV™.

2021 Canada’s Strongest Lady Samantha Belliveau and 2022 Canada’s Strongest Man Maxime Boudreault are each advocates for the advantages the AIRWAAV™ Efficiency Mouthpiece affords. Right here they’re in a video beneath studying about why a mouthpiece is so invaluable for efficiency from orthopedic specialist Dr. Mike Dixey:

Dixey explains the asymmetries which are inherent to the physique’s pure design: the precise lung is bigger than the left lung to make room for the guts, the liver is located on the precise aspect of the torso, the precise half of the diaphragm is greater than the left. This implies there may be naturally “extra quantity weight” on the precise aspect of the physique. To offset this imbalance, the physique compensates by making refined shifts to the left that may have an effect on one’s lifts.

In keeping with Dixey, utilizing a mouthpiece helps right these asymmetries by making a “symmetrical chunk sample” to the jaw down and ahead. When lifting heavy weights, the asymmetrical load is exacerbated, which might result in poorer efficiency and potential harm. Since “physique symmetry and bodily power are correlated,” a mouthpiece may help decrease that exacerbation again to a manageable vary that doesn’t hinder efficiency. (12)

Experience the AIRWAAV™

Can a mouthpiece make you stronger? Except specialists, elite athletes, and researchers are all someway unsuitable, the reply is sure. AIRWAAV™ has two Efficiency Mouthpieces out there: Endurance — designed for athletes aiming to maintain their stamina for prolonged bouts of train — and HIIT — for athletes upping their coaching depth to attain new private bests.

AIRWAAV™ Efficiency Mouthpiece

The Official Mouthpiece of the 2023 World Strongest Man, this efficiency mouthpiece is custom-built to suit an athlete’s mouth and allows higher respiratory through managed tongue placement. It’s preferrred for aggressive athletes trying to enhance their efficiency and pace up their restoration.

References

1. Garner, D. P., & McDivitt, E. (2009). Results of mouthpiece use on airway openings and lactate ranges in wholesome school males. Compendium of continuous schooling in dentistry (Jamesburg, N.J. : 1995), 30 Spec No 2, 9–13.
2. Zupan, M. F., Bullinger, D. L., Buffington, B., Koch, C., Parker, S., Fragleasso, S., Fogg, T., & Rasmussen-Woerner, S. (2018). Physiological Results of Carrying Athletic Mouth Items Whereas Performing Varied Workout routines. Navy medication, 183(suppl_1), 510–515. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usx155
3. Garner, D.P., Dudgeon, W.D., and McDivitt, E. (2011). The consequences of mouthpiece use on cortisol ranges throughout an intense bout of resistance train. J Power Cond, 25(10):2866-2871 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21912342/
4. Dudgeon, W.D., Buchanan, L.A., Strickland, A.E., Scheett, T.P., and Garner, D.P. (2017). Mouthpiece use throughout heavy resistance train impacts serum cortisol and lactate. Cogent Med 4 DOI: 1403728 – https://www.researchgate.internet/publication/321037193_Mouthpiece_use_During_Heavy_Resistance_Exercise_Affects_Serum_Cortisol_and_Lactate
5. Garner, D. P., Dudgeon, W. D., Scheett, T. P., & McDivitt, E. J. (2011). The consequences of mouthpiece use on fuel trade parameters throughout steady-state train in college-aged women and men. Journal of the American Dental Affiliation (1939), 142(9), 1041–1047. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2011.0325
6. Queiróz, A. F., de Brito, R. B., Jr, Ramacciato, J. C., Motta, R. H., & Flório, F. M. (2013). Affect of mouthguards on the bodily efficiency of soccer gamers. Dental traumatology : official publication of Worldwide Affiliation for Dental Traumatology, 29(6), 450–454. https://doi.org/10.1111/edt.12026
7. Buscà, B., Morales, J., Solana-Tramunt, M., Miró, A., & García, M. (2016). Results of Jaw Clenching Whereas Carrying a Custom-made Chew-Aligning Mouthpiece on Power in Wholesome Younger Males. Journal of power and conditioning analysis, 30(4), 1102–1110. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001192
8. Schultz Martins, R., Girouard, P., Elliott, E., & Mekary, S. (2020). Physiological Responses of a Jaw-Repositioning Customized-Made Mouthguard on Airway and Their Results on Athletic Efficiency. Journal of power and conditioning analysis, 34(2), 422–429. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002679
9. Gage, C. C., Huxel Bliven, Okay. C., Bay, R. C., Sturgill, J. S., & Park, J. H. (2015). Results of mouthguards on vertical dimension, muscle activation, and athlete desire: a potential cross-sectional research. Common dentistry, 63(6), 48–55.
10. Pae, A., Yoo, R. Okay., Noh, Okay., Paek, J., & Kwon, Okay. R. (2013). The consequences of mouthguards on the athletic potential {of professional} golfers. Dental traumatology : official publication of Worldwide Affiliation for Dental Traumatology, 29(1), 47–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-9657.2012.01123.x
11. Garner, D. P., & Miskimin, J. (2009). Results of mouthpiece use on auditory and visible response time in school women and men. Compendium of continuous schooling in dentistry (Jamesburg, N.J. : 1995), 30 Spec No 2, 14–17.
12. Ferreira, G. B., Guimarães, L. S., Fernandes, C. P., Dias, R. B., Coto, N. P., Antunes, L. A. A., & Antunes, L. S. (2019). Is there sufficient proof that mouthguards don’t have an effect on athletic efficiency? A scientific literature assessment. Worldwide dental journal, 69(1), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12406
13. Garner D. P. (2015). Results of varied mouthpieces on respiratory physiology throughout steady-state train in college-aged topics. Common dentistry, 63(6), 30–34.
14. Fink, B., Weege, B., Manning, J. T., & Trivers, R. (2014). Physique symmetry and bodily power in human males. American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council, 26(5), 697–700. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.22584

Featured picture courtesy of AIRWAAV™