Effect of jaw clenching on postural adjustments to a predictable external perturbation

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of jaw clenching on anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and reactive postural adjustments (RPAs). Eight healthy adults were exposed to predictable external perturbations with and without submaximal jaw clenching. We recorded the three-dimensional body kinematics, ground reaction forces, and electromyography (EMG) of 12 muscles. EMG onset, integrated EMG, and positions of the center-of-mass (COM) and center-of-pressure (COP) during the anticipatory and reactive phases of postural adjustments were computed and compared for the jaw clenching and control conditions. Jaw clenching resulted in an earlier onset of APAs and a greater amplitude of trunk and lower limb EMG activities in the APAs and RPAs. There were no differences in the COM and COP displacements after the perturbation. Jaw clenching is effective for enhancing APAs and RPAs, although it may not increase postural stability following predictable external perturbation in healthy adults.