Respiratory performance and occlusal strength of soccer players: an approach after training and detraining during the lockdown due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Background. The aim of the study was evaluate the strength of the respiratory muscles, bite force, and occlusal force distribution of professional soccer players after training and detraining resulting from the lockdown that occurred during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Material and methods. Twelve male soccer players (age, 19-34 years) were subjected to respiratory muscle strength analysis by examining the maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, maximum molar bite force (right and left sides), and occlusal force distribution of the first permanent molars. Comparisons of variables after training and detraining were analyzed using the paired-sample t-test (p < 0.05), and the correlation between respiratory variables was measured using the Pearson test (p < 0.05). Results. There were no significant differences in the bite force and occlusal force distributions after training and detraining. The correlation results showed moderate positivity between the maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures during the training period. Conclusions. The results suggest that when soccer players strengthen the inspiratory muscles, they also strengthen the expiratory muscles and that detraining does not impact the athlete's organic function, especially the respiratory muscle function and the forces of the occlusal contact of the first permanent molars.