Effect of Mouthgaurd and Stick Use on Aerobic Capacity High School Field Hockey Athletes

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Many sports require the use of a mouthguard (MG) and the constraint of carrying a stick during play. Previous research has shown that these two conditions individually cause decrements to athletic performance; however, no research has been conducted on the effect of the combination of these conditions. PURPOSE:To determine effects of chronic MG and stick use during field hockey (FH) specific training on aerobic capacity; and to determine effects of acute use of MG and stick on aerobic capacity regardless of training group. METHODS:38 healthy female FH players (15+2 yrs.) from a local competitive high school team completed the study. Participants were placed into one of two groups: experimental (completing all conditioning with MG and stick) or control (completing all conditioning without MG and stick) by stratified random sampling matched for team level (Freshman, Junior Varsity or Varsity) and initial beep test performance. The beep test is a 20m multistage test that involves running in time with pre-recorded beeps. FH-specific training was performed as prescribed by coaching staff, with testing performed at baseline (start of preseason), 6 weeks (end of preseason) and 12 weeks (end of competition). Participants performed two beep tests, one with a MG and stick (MG-STK) and one without a MG and stick (WOMG-STK) during each testing block (baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks). Tests were performed >48 hours apart and the effects of MG and stick use were analyzed using a 3-way ANOVA. RESULTS:No difference was found in aerobic capacity between the experimental and control groups (p>0.05). It was determined that performing a beep test with MG and stick resulted in reduced aerobic performance (WOMG-STK: 37.41+6.65 ml·kg-1·min-1 vs. MG-STK: 33.16+5.02 ml·kg-1·min-1; p<0.01). Further, it was found that FH-specific training altered aerobic performance across the 12 weeks (p<0.01). Aerobic performance increased from baseline to midpoint (p0.05) (PRE: 33.37+4.29 ml·kg-1·min-1; MID: 37.52+6.81 ml·kg-1·min-1; POST: 34.94+6.65 ml·kg-1·min-1). CONCLUSIONS:Aerobic capacity was not affected by chronic use of MG and stick during standard FH-specific training. The use of MG and stick during the performance of a beep test diminished aerobic capacity across the study period.