[Lotte Co., Ltd.] Lotte and Kagoshima United FC demonstrate that approximately one year of gum training improves occlusal balance, static balance, and vertical jump scores
Lotte Co., Ltd. Press release: November 14, 2024 Lotte and Kagoshima United FC demonstrate that approximately one year of gum training improves occlusal balance, static balance, and vertical jump scores ~A sports dentist explains the importance of “chewing” in soccer by scene~ Lotte Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Executive Officer: Hideki Nakajima; hereinafter referred to as Lotte) is a member of the J2 soccer team as part of its “Chewing Sports Project,” which promotes the value of “chewing” in sports. In cooperation with Kagoshima United FC, we verified the effects of continuous gum chewing training on oral and motor functions. After one year of gum chewing training, we confirmed that the left and right occlusal balance improved, as well as vertical jump and static balance functions. The results of this research were published in “Pharmacology and Treatment (Vol. 52, No. 10, 2024).” Visiting Professor Tomotaka Takeda, Department of Oral Health Science, Sports Dentistry Laboratory, Tokyo Dental University, said, “It is thought that occlusal balance has improved because athletes consciously chewed gum evenly on both sides. I believe that this stabilized the body’s center of gravity and improved static balance.On the other hand, it is known that the masticatory muscles are involved in momentary muscle activity in the distant areas. Therefore, it is possible that changes in masticatory muscle activity during jumping led to an improvement in vertical jump. These results suggest that chewing can improve your sense of balance and motor function in sports, leading to better performance. In order to avoid injuries and maximize performance during matches, we recommend chewing gum to help improve motor function.” ■Proof experiment overview We verified the effects of gum chewing training on oral and motor functions. [Target] 22 Kagoshima United FC players [Intervention method] 1. Chewing awareness lecture, 2. Gum chewing training for 5 minutes on each side, 3 times a day [Evaluation items] Occlusal force (GC(R) Dental Prescale II), static balance, vertical jump ■Demonstration experiment results As a result of the
intervention, the difference in occlusal balance between the left and right sides was significantly reduced, and an improvement in occlusal balance was observed. In terms of motor function, significant improvements in vertical jump and static balance were also observed. *Static balance: The ability to remain motionless and is related to the prevention of knee injuries
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2360/2376/2360-2376-413543e0862d16c3ac84555777f02c0c-2568×2280.png Tips on how to chew gum
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2360/2376/2360-2376-27cbbf09863907a0f12e08316394ebdf-290×327.png It may not be well known, but chewing is extremely important for sports. Chewing properly at the right time can make a difference in your performance. In addition to strength training, I would also like you to incorporate chewing training using gum (gum training). When training your gums, we recommend choosing a sugar-free type of gum with dental health in mind. Also, chewing with your mouth tightly closed not only improves your manners, but also exercises the muscles that close your mouth. When the muscles around the mouth relax and mouth breathing increases, the inside of the mouth becomes more prone to dryness, which increases the possibility of health risks such as bad breath and cavities. When chewing gum, please close your mouth firmly.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2360/2376/2360-2376-a1d3bf99455e400d38b03120ccfb6f66-2468×629.png Sports Dentist Visiting Professor Tomotaka Takeda
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2360/2376/2360-2376-720abe0c9b8d2b4149f97077c7d6b742-290×327.png ●Affiliation ・Tokyo Dental University, Department of Oral Health Science, Sports Dentistry Laboratory, Visiting Professor (Doctor of Dentistry) ・Japan Olympic Committee Strengthening Staff
(Medical/Science) Volleyball Competition, Wrestling Competition ・Japan Sports Association Certified Sports Dentist ・Japan Sports Dentistry Association Certified Doctor ・Japan Sports Association for the Disabled Certified Sports Doctor for the Disabled ・Kanto Rugby Football Association registrant disability compensation examination committee member ●Main academic societies Japanese Society of Sports Dentistry, Japanese Society of Clinical Sports Medicine Japanese Society of Prosthodontics, Academy for Sports Dentistry As of October 31, 2024 Chewing Sports Project
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2360/2376/2360-2376-2adfb6fcec118e1f3b7370803664a072-623×653.jpg The “Chewing Sports Project” is based on Lotte’s desire to contribute to society through the necessity of “chewing” and the unexpected power that “chewing” brings. This is a project that supports the performance of people from children to children who work hard in many sports through “chewing”. We will spread the importance of “chewing” through various activities such as “research”,
“information dissemination”, “chewing force measurement”, and “provision of gum”. We will disseminate information on the
relationship between sports and chewing, such as the importance of chewing in sports, and encourage as many people as possible to incorporate chewing and gum training into their daily lives, thereby improving their performance in sports. Aiming to improve, we are focusing on support through “chewing”. ▼List of participating teams, athletes, and organizations Chiba Lotte Marines / Kawasaki Frontale / Jubilo Iwata / Levanga Hokkaido / Red Eagles Hokkaido / Chiba Lotte Marines Baseball Academy / Golf (Professional Yuta Ikeda, Tsuneyuki Nakajima, Naoto Takayanagi, Makaku Nishiwaki, Tommy Academy) / Skiing / e-Baseball Chiba Lotte Marines/Japan Sports Association/NSG Group, etc. What is “Chewing Research Department”? The Chewing Research Department was established in 2018 as a way for Lotte to contribute to society. We collaborate with various local governments, research institutes, and companies and work with the desire to contribute to the world through “chewing” and to help everyone by providing optimal “chewing.” As one of our activities, we are currently providing support for various sports teams and athletes regarding chewing skills. For more information: https://www.lotte.co.jp/kamukoto/ [Overview of demonstration experiment] [Published paper] Magazine name: Pharmacology and Treatment (Vol. 52, No. 10, 2024, 1219-1224) Effects of long-term gum intake on oral health and physical
performance in professional athletes ―Open-label non-randomized before-and-after comparative study― Author: Misaki Matsui, Nori Kanno, Manabu Uemura, Kazuto Okabayashi, Tomotaka Takeda (Affiliations: Lotte Central Research Institute, Tokyo Dental University, Department of Oral Health Science, Sports Dentistry Laboratory) [Purpose of demonstration experiment] 1. Verification of the influence of gum chewing training on oral function 2. Verification of the influence of gum chewing training on motor function [Research method] ・Target Kagoshima United FC players 22 people ・Intervention method 1. Chewing awareness lecture 2. Gum chewing training for 5 minutes on each side, 3 times a day ・Intervention period May 2023 – May 2024 ・Evaluation items Occlusal force (GC(R) Dental Prescale II), static balance, vertical jump ・Result As a result of the intervention, no significant change was observed in occlusal force, but the difference in occlusal balance between the left and right sides was significantly reduced, and an improvement in occlusal balance was observed. In terms of motor function, significant improvements in vertical jump and static balance were also observed. Lotte Co., Ltd. https://www.lotte.co.jp/