Abstract

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) has a complex and multifactorial etiology, affecting masticatory muscles and / or the temporomandibular joint. Continuous exposure to episodes of facial trauma, anxiety, and stress by sports practices are considerable factors in the high prevalence of myofascial pain. Therefore, this study aimed to: i) typify the performance effects during continuous self-paced sequential squats until fatigue with a submaximal load; ii) verify the Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) effects in the Ergospirometry results of CrossFit® athletes during sequential squats until fatigue; and iii) confirm the relationship of the sequential self-paced squats until fatigue with aerobic fitness indices. First, two paired groups were composed from a total of 158 ranked CrossFit® athletes, namely the TMD group (n=10; age=32.8±6.7 years-old; training experience=20.2±8.3 months; weight=84.5±10.9kg; height=177.3±7.7cm) and the WTMD (without Temporomandibular disorder) group (n=10; age=25±4.7 years-old; training experience=12±6.2 months; weight=76.5±10.3kg; height=173.1±56.0cm). Statistical analysis: It was used the t-test and ANOVA with repeated measures, p≤0.05. Our results showed that sequential squats until fatigue with submaximal load induces elevated cardiorespiratory and metabolic demands, while the TMD condition demonstrates higher Tv during the test than athletes WTMD, with 2.2±0.8 L versus 1.6±0.5 L (p≤0.05); furthermore, the sequential submaximal deep squats impacted the acute physiological responses given the partial glycogen replenishment in both groups (p≤0.05), thus presenting the use of sequential deep squats until fatigue as a way to evaluate the aerobic performance of CrossFit® athletes. The results suggest the necessity of physical therapists for athletes with TMD, restoring the natural respiratory movement and decreasing their pain. This application could help athletes in aerobic demands until fatigue with a submaximal load.