Rutgers University Study reveals oral device leads to significant improvement athletic performance

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb 05, 2009 -
Little Silver NJ

For more information on the Rutgers research study and for interview requests with Dr. Bixby, please contact Lori Draz  draz@monmouth.com 732-735-5441 www.ppmmouthguard.com



     A year long study by a team of Rutgers University researchers supports the claims that the Pure Power Mouthguard (PPM), a sport orthotic, significantly improves vertical jump and peak power performance for today's professional, collegiate or amateur athletes.
Manny Ramirez, LA Dodgers, Shaq O’Neil, Phoenix Suns, Josh Brown, St. Louis Rams, Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons, Scott McCarron, PGA and Steve Elkington, PGA and over 300 professional athletes from Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Football League (NFL), and most sports in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and over 1,000 collegiate, Olympic and amateur athletes have embraced the PPM phenomenon. Even celebrities like Mario Lopez and Chris Harrison are believers and use it religiously during their workouts at the gym.
The Rutgers study, led by Dr. Shawn M. Arent, examined the effects of the PPM and another custom-fit mouth guard on muscular endurance and anaerobic power in a three part study, testing: vertical jump, bench press for a load equal to the bodyweight for maximum repetitions, and a 30s Wingate Anaerobic Test (measures peak power output).
The results found that subjects using the PPM immediately noticed a “significant improvement” in vertical jump and peak power. The researchers concluded that the neuromuscular dentistry-based mouth guard appears to enhance power output and performance in explosive, short duration bouts of exercise. Based on the findings, it appears that the PPM definitely has practical value for athletes in power sports.
Renowned neuromuscular dentist and Rutgers Alumni, Dr. Mike Bixby, is thrilled from the results of this study from one of the world’s most esteemed institutions.  “Everyone who has been using the PPM — amateurs and professionals alike — has noticed a big difference in their sport of choice,” says Dr. Bixby. “The research carried out by Rutgers further solidifies what everyone is saying: The PPM works.”
Dr. Bixby says the PPM works because of human physiology. “Over 90% of the population has an overbite, and one of the negative effects of an overbite is that it causes muscle tension,” he says. “When the neck and jaw muscles are tense, the body can’t perform at its peak. Strength is lost and balance is diminished. So on the most basic level, what the PPM does is allows the body to perform at its absolute peak, in a purely natural way.”
“We all have different goals when it comes to sports, but there isn’t anyone who wouldn’t like to have an overall increase in strength, balance, and range of motion. The PPM is a great, natural way to achieve these things.”“I would encourage anyone who is interested in improving their athletic ability to talk to us about taking a short and simple test for the PPM,” says Dr. Bixby.