Effect of jaw functional status on neck muscle endurance.

• Trigeminal, cervical, and upper limb systems have been functionally linked. • Modification in masticatory muscles contraction has been shown to affect whole body. • Distal muscle strength and performance has been shown to improve during clenched jaw. • Modification of jaw position can affect neck muscle endurance. • Any effort to maintain clenched jaw position should be noted during rehabilitations. To investigate the effect of resting jaw and maximum voluntary clenching on neck flexor and extensor muscle endurance. Neck flexor and extensor endurance was measured in a college health clinic in 85 male college students in two test positions: resting jaw (control) and maximum voluntary clenching. Mean neck flexor muscle endurance values during resting jaw and maximum voluntary clenching were 70.06 SD 28.24, and 60.03 SD 16.5, seconds respectively. Mean neck extensor muscle endurance values during resting jaw and maximum voluntary clenching were 105.54 SD 29.9, and 98.32 SD 24.54, respectively. Both values were significantly lower while maximum voluntary clenching as compared to resting jaw position (p < 0.05). Modification of jaw position can affect neck muscle endurance. Results of this study further supports sensory-motor relation between jaw and neck region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]