Purpose
to compare the electrical activity of masseter and temporal muscles, (anterior fascicle) at rest, in maximum voluntary isometric contraction and chewing, taking the original value analysis (µ v) and Root Mean Square (RMS).
Methods
observational and descriptive study. Surface Electromyography was held in the masseter and temporal muscles (anterior portion) bilaterally, in 18 women between 27 and 50 years of age. The assessment was carried out in three situations: at rest, in maximum voluntary isometric contraction and habitual chewing dried vine fruit without seeds, as food. The electromyography used was the BIOPAK, Bioresearch Associates, four-channel, model 800 and bipolar surface electrodes (Bio Trodoon gel). The signal records were obtained in microvolts, and analyzed and compared in the original signal and RMS root mean square.
Results
when we compare the electrical activity of masseters and temporal muscles (anterior fascicle), there is no statistically significant differences between the original and RMS values at rest. Both in maximum voluntary isometric contraction and habitual chewing, we find statistically significant higher values to RMS. There was a predominance of electrical activity in muscles masseters when compared to the temporal muscle, anterior fascicle, both chewing and in maximum voluntary isometric contraction.
Conclusion
there is a minimum of electrical activity at rest. Both the tooth clenching and mastication of dried vine fruit we find RMS average values greater than original mean values. There has been greater electrical activity of muscles masseters when compared to the temporal muscle, both in maximum voluntary isometric contraction as chewing.
Electromyography; Mastication; Rest; Masticatory Muscles; Isometric Contraction