Comparison of Temporomandibular Disorder Signs and Symptoms in CrossFit ® Athletes and Sedentary Individuals

Ana Paula Varela Brown Martins, Ranele Luiza Ferreira Cardoso, Caio César Ferreira Versiani de Andrade, Júlia Meller Dias de Oliveira, Maria Beatriz Freitas D’Arce, Adriana Barbosa Ribeiro, Carolina Noronha Ferraz de Arruda, Juliana Silva Ribeiro de Andrade, Bianca Miarka and Maurício Malheiros Badaró ()
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Ana Paula Varela Brown Martins: Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis Campus, Florianópolis 88040-535, SC, Brazil
Ranele Luiza Ferreira Cardoso: Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, Governador Valadares 35020-220, MG, Brazil
Caio César Ferreira Versiani de Andrade: Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, Governador Valadares 35020-220, MG, Brazil
Júlia Meller Dias de Oliveira: Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis Campus, Florianópolis 88040-535, SC, Brazil
Maria Beatriz Freitas D’Arce: Department of Prosthodontics, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29040-090, ES, Brazil
Adriana Barbosa Ribeiro: Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirao Preto School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Carolina Noronha Ferraz de Arruda: Department of Prosthodontics, Dental School, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro 20551-030, RJ, Brazil
Juliana Silva Ribeiro de Andrade: Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis Campus, Florianópolis 88040-535, SC, Brazil
Bianca Miarka: Department of Combat Sports, School of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-599, RJ, Brazil
Maurício Malheiros Badaró: Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis Campus, Florianópolis 88040-535, SC, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 5, 1-15

Abstract: (1) Background: A sedentary lifestyle may aggravate temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms, increasing pain sensitivity and functional limitations. Physical exercise is recommended for pain management and improving quality of life. Comparing CrossFit ® athletes to sedentary individuals allows for examining whether regular high-intensity exercise impacts pain sensitivity and functional limitations associated with TMD. This cross-sectional study assessed the signs and symptoms of TMD in CrossFit ® athletes compared to sedentary individuals. (2) Methods: Participants (n = 121) were divided into four groups: sedentary with TMD (n = 39), sedentary without TMD (n = 37), CrossFit ® athletes with TMD (n = 23), and CrossFit ® athletes without TMD (n = 22). TMD signs and symptoms were evaluated using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) axis I, including mandibular movement patterns, range of motion, joint sounds, muscle pain, and jaw dysfunctions. Statistical analyses included chi-square and Dunn’s post hoc tests, ANOVA, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine associations between CrossFit ® practice and TMD ( p ≤ 0.05). (3) Results: Myofascial pain was the most common diagnosis. All athlete groups exhibited greater mandibular movement amplitudes (unassisted opening without pain, p < 0.001, and protrusion, p = 0.039) and less pain ( p < 0.001) than sedentary individuals. Pain reports and palpation-induced pain in muscles and joints were significantly associated with a sedentary lifestyle and TMD ( p < 0.001). Joint and muscle pain were more prevalent (frequent) among sedentary participants, regardless of TMD diagnosis. Linear regression analysis showed that sedentary individuals without TMD had significantly reduced unassisted mouth opening amplitudes compared to athletes without TMD ( p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Pain in the masseter, temporalis, posterior digastric, and medial pterygoid muscles was the most common symptom in sedentary individuals with TMD. They experience higher frequency and intensity of pain, as well as greater limitations in mouth movement. Athletes showed higher frequency of joint noises.

Keywords: temporomandibular joint disorders; myofascial pain syndromes; temporomandibular joint; exercise; sports (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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