J Adv Prosthodont.  2013 May;5(2):147-152. 10.4047/jap.2013.5.2.147.

Mouthguard use in Korean Taekwondo athletes - awareness and attitude

• Lee JW
• Heo CK
• Kim SJ
• Kim GT
• Lee DW

• KMID: 2284754
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4047/jap.2013.5.2.147

Abstract

PURPOSE
A survey was performed to identify the level of mouthguard use, awareness, wearability issues and attitude toward mouthguard among elite Korean Taewondo athletes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Survey questionnaires were given to 152 athletes participating in the Korea National Taekwondo team selection event for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. Questionnaires consisted of three sections, mouthguard awareness, reasons for not wearing mouthguard and the last section to test the level of acceptance on current mouthguard and when the identified problems were resolved. For analyzing difference among response, chi2 test was used and significant level (alpha) was set up as 0.05.
RESULTS
Responses in each of items showed significant difference (P<.001). Majority of response regarding each question: Majority of respondents believed that mouthguard were effective in preventing injuries (36.4%) but the result suggested that the provision of information on mouthguard to athletes was inadequate (44.0%) and the result showed that respondents were not greatly interested or concerned in relation to the mandatory mouthguard rule (31.6%). Although the responses on the level of comfort and wearability of mouthguard were negative (34.8%), athletes were positively willing to wear mouthguard if the problems rectified (51.2%).
CONCLUSION
Considering the high level of willingness to wear mouthguard if the problems rectified, it is thought that together with efforts in providing more mouthguard information, the work of sports dentistry to research and improve mouthguard will be invaluable in promoting mouthguard to more athletes.

Keyword

Mouth protectors; Awareness; Attitude; Martial arts; Athletes

MeSH Terms

Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Athletes
Dentistry
Humans
Korea
Martial Arts
Mouth Protectors
Sports
Surveys and Questionnaires

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