kindablue

Found this in the NY times and thought it would be interesting to hear the bf squabble over this reinvented tech. The story features Chris McCormack so its kinda road cycling related.

https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/he...itness.html?em

Short story is that they are designing mouth guards that "increase performance."

Edit: I posted this b/c the concept of an open airway is something I've paid a bit of attention to in the past (played trumpet through college). Over the years I spent countless hours in the practice room tweaking my embouchure and posture (which includes my airway) to try and improve my endurance and tone. When I saw this article I thought it was interesting that athletes can have problems very similar to musicians.

Anywho, I posted the story because I am trying to get into competitive road cycling (I'm currently reading Friel's book and all; you should be proud Botto, but I know you won't be) and wondered if I suffered a similar problem on the bike. I monitored my running today and my airway didn't seem to be an issue, and don't suspect to find a problem when I hop on the trainer tomorrow.

I brought it up because the article states, "Makkar’s Web site touts the mouth guard’s use in diverse sports, including golf, soccer, swimming and tennis, and includes endorsements by the basketball player Shaquille O’Neal and the football player Terrell Owens." I realize that Chris is a triathlete, but as I attempt to build my base endurance on my bike, I was wondering if this problem could bleed over into the roadie realm.

So to come right out and say what I was wondering
---> Do any of the road cyclists in here feel like their airways become constricted during your ride? If so, is there anything you do (such as positioning) to address the issue?
---> Has anyone spent a lot of time monitoring their breathing/airway as a part of training, (that is training for the sake of exercise or for competition?)
---> Do you think your performance could benefit from such a device? Considering that some here spend a pretty penny on expensive training wheels and carbon fiber cages, I can imagine a few people here spending 1k-2k on something that may boost their performance by a percentage point or two. "“When you have the jaw in relaxed position, the rest of the body can be more relaxed — it’s a domino effect,” said Kathrina Agatep, a dentist in San Diego who sells both brands."
---> I know this one is a bit loaded but, do you think the device is overpriced and under researched? I'm always a cynic of a company who researches their own product and then touts its benefits; statistics can be manipulated in so many ways.

p.s. I didn't post this in the racing forum b/c I had the feeling I would get flamed and told to "take it to the 41." I didn't post this in the tri forum b/c my concerns really relate to general road cycling.

Hope the edit helped

Creakyknees

yeah saw that... my thought was, I don't need a mouthpiece to remind me to unclench my jaw and breathe... but then again, the article is about triathletes so it may be needed for them.

gsteinb

I'll start...How is Chris McCormack kinda road cycling related?

Terex

112 mi., 96 F temp., about 4.5 hrs. ride time at Kona this year.

RichinPeoria

Hey Terex do you actually work for Terex?

EventServices

I'm sure I'd love to get my Clif Bar all mixed up in that contraption.

I don't usually have a problem with clenched teeth when I'm gasping for air.

gsteinb

You do realize, of course, that isn't road cycling but still triathlon?