Postural reeducation and oral device interaction in rhythmic gymnasts: effects of byte use on stiffness-related performance and low back pain perception
- 1Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Albanian University
- 2ITEM-Innovation in Manual and Physical Therapies Research Group, Physiotherapy Department, UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia
- 3Physiotherapy Department, UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia
Abstract
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of combining Global Postural Therapy (GPT) with a customized intraoral device (Byte) on stiffness-related performance and perceived stiffness in elite rhythmic gymnasts with low back pain. Seventeen athletes were randomly assigned to a Byte group (n = 8) or a control No Byte group receiving GPT alone (n = 9). Both groups completed a 12-week supervised postural re-education program focused on global muscle chain stretching, spinal alignment, and neuromuscular control. Functional stiffness was assessed across four post-intervention sessions using a Baiobit sensor to measure jump performance variables (maximum speed, height, force, concentric and eccentric phases, flight, and contact time), while perceived stiffness was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Both groups improved in maximum speed, height, and force (η² = 0.25–0.31; p < 0.05), with no significant group × time interaction (p > 0.05). A significant reduction in perceived stiffness was observed in the Byte group compared with controls (p = 0.015; η² = 0.35). These findings suggest that adding a customized intraoral device to GPT did not produce additional improvements in objective stiffness-related performance over 12 weeks. However, the Byte group showed descriptively lower subjective stiffness values, which may indicate a potential perceptual effect associated with the device. Further research is required to clarify the clinical relevance and underlying mechanisms of these findings.
Related
- Global Postural Reeducation in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease: A Secondary Analysis of an RCT
- Postural Stability and Perceived Control in Functional Performance During Occupational Precision Sewing
- A quantitative study on user interaction and brand perception of visual elements in social media advertising driven by deep learning
- Relationships Between Gastrocnemius Medialis Muscle Architecture, Vertical Stiffness, and Vertical Jump Performance in Track and Field Athletes.
- Mental fatigue impairs cycling endurance performance and perception of effort, but not muscle activation
BibTeX
@article{qorri2026postural,
title = {{Postural reeducation and oral device interaction in rhythmic gymnasts: effects of byte use on stiffness-related performance and low back pain perception}},
author = {Erda Qorri and Jasemin Todri and Juan Martínez-Fuentes and Orges Lena},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-63007-y},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-63007-y},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Postural reeducation and oral device interaction in rhythmic gymnasts: effects of byte use on stiffness-related performance and low back pain perception
AU - Erda Qorri
AU - Jasemin Todri
AU - Juan Martínez-Fuentes
AU - Orges Lena
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-63007-y
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-63007-y
AB - This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of combining Global Postural Therapy (GPT) with a customized intraoral device (Byte) on stiffness-related performance and perceived stiffness in elite rhythmic gymnasts with low back pain. Seventeen athletes were randomly assigned to a Byte group (n = 8) or a control No Byte group receiving GPT alone (n = 9). Both groups completed a 12-week supervised postural re-education program focused on global muscle chain stretching, spinal alignment, and neuromuscular control. Functional stiffness was assessed across four post-intervention sessions using a Baiobit sensor to measure jump performance variables (maximum speed, height, force, concentric and eccentric phases, flight, and contact time), while perceived stiffness was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Both groups improved in maximum speed, height, and force (η² = 0.25–0.31; p < 0.05), with no significant group × time interaction (p > 0.05). A significant reduction in perceived stiffness was observed in the Byte group compared with controls (p = 0.015; η² = 0.35). These findings suggest that adding a customized intraoral device to GPT did not produce additional improvements in objective stiffness-related performance over 12 weeks. However, the Byte group showed descriptively lower subjective stiffness values, which may indicate a potential perceptual effect associated with the device. Further research is required to clarify the clinical relevance and underlying mechanisms of these findings.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -