Abstract
Exercise mode (i.e., resistance training, endurance training) is known to yield mode‐specific effects on strength and endurance of muscles that are directly targeted during the exercise. Such mode‐specific effects can also be observed in indirectly involved (i.e., nontargeted) muscles. Mode‐specific muscle performance changes of nontargeted muscles, however, have only been investigated within the skeletal system. Therefore, as a first step, this study aimed to determine if bulbar muscle performance (tongue strength [TS], tongue endurance [TE]) differs between weightlifters and runners and if group differences are tongue region‐specific. The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) was used to measure TS and TE of the anterior and posterior tongue regions in 21 weightlifters and 23 runners. In weightlifters anterior TS was significantly greater than posterior TS (P = 0.008), whereas in runners anterior and posterior TS were comparable. Furthermore, weightlifters produced significantly greater anterior TS than runners (P = 0.001). Finally, TE was overall significantly greater in runners than in weightlifters (P = 0.001). Findings suggest that exercise mode may differentially impact performance patterns of nontargeted bulbar muscles. More research is warranted to better understand the mechanisms underlying tongue muscle performance differences between weightlifters and runners.
Highlights
Maintaining healthy tongue muscle performance is important for daily functional tasks such as swallowing and upper airway patency (Blumen et al 2004; Munn et al 2005; Stierwalt and Youmans 2007)
This study sought to determine if tongue muscle performance differs between individuals who regularly engage in resistance training exercise and individuals who regularly engage in endurance training exercise
Endurance-trained runners were expected to demonstrate greater TE compared to weightlifters, with the group difference being primarily observable in the posterior region of the tongue
Summary
Maintaining healthy tongue muscle performance (e.g., tongue strength [TS], tongue endurance [TE]) is important for daily functional tasks such as swallowing and upper airway patency (Blumen et al 2004; Munn et al 2005; Stierwalt and Youmans 2007). TS and endurance, decline as a natural part of the overall aging process (Crow and Ship 1996; Clark and Solomon 2012). In the skeletal system (e.g., limb and trunk muscles), exercise (i.e., resistance training, running) is known to have a direct and indirect beneficial effect on muscular strength and endurance, in addition to retarding the aging process (Takeshima et al 2007; Tew et al 2009; Karavirta et al 2011b). Exercise has been shown to have a similar indirect beneficial effect on tongue muscle strength and endurance in rats (Kletzien et al 2013). This study found that the difference in tongue performance of individuals with high and low physical activity levels was more pronounced in older adults than in younger adults
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