Prophylaxis of Football Players with a Posturographic Platform in Medical University – Varna

Background: The following study aimed to examine the connection between dental occlusion and the ability to maintain balance and proper posture. Another aim is to stress the need for prophylactic checkups for adolescents and athletes and to establish fruitful collaborations in multidisciplinary teams of specialists. The concomitant comorbidity should be assessed, including problems with sleep and obstructive sleep apnea, was also assessed.

Methods: Various scientific sources were used for the literature overview on the thematic of the following clinical study. The results of examined individuals—athletes (n=30, aged up to 18, male)—in January 2023-May 2023 are presented. Part of the examinations were performed with the Global Postural System (PL0800 Leonardo). Athletes were examined additionally with audiometry, tympanometry, Otoacoustic emissions (OAE), and rhinomanometry. All had their dentition and occlusion checked by a physician in dental medicine. All filled out sleep questionnaires and had their sleep tested with home sleep apnea test.

Results: Seventeen athletes reported the presence of a temporomandibular disorder, which was objectively confirmed by examination. Displacement (center of gravity, CoG) values ranged from 11 to 52 mm. Thirteen athletes were found to have orthodontic disorders, either in the individual dental arch or in the interjaw relationships. All examinees who were found to have an orthodontic disorder and had not started orthodontic treatment at the time of examination were recommended to start. Higher probability for developing of obstructive sleep apnea was detected in patients with normal BMI and an orthodontic disorder, which causes the mandible to move distally.

Conclusion: After analysis through the postural system platform, important diagnostic information is obtained, according to which the examined can be referred for therapy with a rehabilitator by a kinesiotherapist and other medical in the prophylactic evaluation of adolescent football players.

Cite this article as: Stoykov M, Milkov M. Prophylaxis of football players with a posturographic platform in medical university – Varna. Balkan ORL-HNS 2024;1(2):56-63.