Abstract
Fundamental characteristics of the postural sway of . Judo players were obtained to examine how occlusion affects postural control, which was closely related to the ability of the player.Seven Japanese Judo Top players were chosen to investigate the relationship between the postural sway and the occlusal state.
The main findings and conclusions were as follows:
1. Occlusal state
There were considerable differences between individual players with respect to occlusal contact, occlusal force and occlusal balance.
2. Correlation between occlusal state and postural sway
a) Correlation between the area of occlusal contact and postural sway during strong clenchingpath length of sway and path length per time unit were correlated with the area of occlusal contact.
During jaw relaxation-envelope area, rectangular area, and root mean square area were correlated with the area of occlusal contact.
b) Correlation between occlusal force as well as occlusal balance and potural sway envelope area, rectangular area, and root mean square area were correlated with the occlusal force and balance.
3. Test of differences in postural sway during different occlusal states
Path length of sway showed a significant difference with envelope area.
These results indicated that the occlusal state may have a close relationship with the postural sway, and that strong clenching decreased postural sway noticeably.
