The Influence of Visual Input on Electromyographic Activity and Patterns of Masticatory and Cervical Spine Muscles in Emmetropic Caucasian Subjects by Gender

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 25;20(5):4112. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054112.

Abstract

(1) Background: The objective of the research was to analyze the change of visual input on electromyographic activity and patterns of masticatory and cervical spine muscles in emmetropic Caucasian subjects by gender. Supposedly, visual input should not influence activity and electromyographic patterns of masticatory and cervical spine muscles in emmetropic Caucasian subjects by gender. (2) Methods: After applying the inclusion criteria, 50 emmetropic Caucasian subjects were included in the study. Four muscle pairs were analyzed: the temporalis muscle (TA), the masseter muscle (MM), the digastric muscle (DA), and the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), during resting and functional activity. (3) Results: It was observed that there were no significant statistical differences in activity and bioelectrical patterns between open and closed eyes in women and men, with the exception of clenching on dental cotton rollers in DA-left and DA mean between tests in women. The observed statistical results had a small effect size, successively equal to 0.32 and 0.29. (4) Conclusions: Changes in the influence of visual input do not affect electromyographic activity and patterns of masticatory and cervical spine muscles in emmetropic Caucasian women and men.

Keywords: activity index; asymmetry index; electromyography; emmetropic; hyperopia; masticatory muscles; myopia; optometry; temporomandibular joint; vision.

MeSH terms

  • Cervical Vertebrae*
  • Electromyography* / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Masseter Muscle* / physiology
  • Masticatory Muscles / physiology
  • Temporal Muscle*

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.