Sport training behaviors and emotional responses associated with temporomandibular disorders in student athletes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v70.110010Keywords:
Quarantine, Students, Athletes, Physical Activity, Emotions, Temporomandibular Disorders, Covid-19Abstract
Introduction: The consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic could affect on the physical activity, mental health, and oral health of student athletes.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs), and associated sport training behaviors and emotional responses in student athletes during COVID-19 isolation.
Methodology: 643 student athletes at a Chilean university sport department (with an average age of 22.05 ±2.94 years) were evaluated using an online survey to register TMDs and review sport training behaviors and emotional responses during COVID-19 isolation.
Results: 40% of student athletes reported inadequate training materials, 70% felt their physical condition improved, and over 50% reported difficulty sleeping. Lack of concentration, irritability and anxiety were also experienced. 65.47% showed the presence of TMDs. The most frequently experienced symptoms were feeling tense or nervous (35.15%), increased frequency of headaches (31.73%), TMJ clicking while chewing or opening the mouth and clenching or grinding the teeth (25.97%). Statistically significant correlations were found among sports training behaviors, emotional responses, and TMD variables. Notably, psychological impact was strongly associated with TMD symptoms (r = 0.416, p < 0.001), while behavioral issues showed moderate correlation with psychological impact and a weak inverse correlation with the prevalence of TMD.
Conclusions: Anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbances were strongly linked to increased TMD symptoms during COVID-19. A moderate association with behavioral difficulties highlights the need to address both psychological and behavioral domains in future sport and health interventions, especially during lockdowns.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Leslie Casas-Apayco, Guillermo Moscoso-Otoya, Alvaro Felipe Saffa Vidal, Karo Rodríguez-Córdova, Jacqueline Elena Márquez-Hidalgo, Mario Alexander Reyes-Bossio
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