Aim: This study compares the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the muscles from the lips and hyoid bone in subjects with or without lip competence.
Methodology: Two groups of 20 subjects each, with or without lip competence were studied. EMG activity of the superior orbicularis oris (SOO), inferior orbicularis oris (IOO), suprahyoid (SH) and infrahyoid (IH) muscles was recorded with the subject seated in the upright position during the following tasks: (1) at rest; (2) speaking; (3) swallowing; (4) forced deep breathing; (5) maximal voluntary clenching; and (6) chewing.
Results: EMG activity was significantly higher in subjects without competent lips than with competent lips in the SOO and IOO muscles during tasks 3 and 4, SOO during task 2 and IOO during task 6. EMG activity was similar in the SOO and IOO muscles during tasks 1 and 5, SOO during task 6 and IOO during task 2. Activity of the SH and IH muscles was similar in both groups for all tasks.
Conclusions: Higher activity in subjects without competent lips implies a higher muscular effort due to the requirement of lip sealing during functional activities. Hyoid muscular activity was not modified by the presence or absence of lip competence.
Keywords: Superior orbicularis oris; competent/incompetent lips; electromyography; inferior orbicularis oris; seated upright position; supra- and infrahyoid muscles.