Should We Just Switch Mouthpieces?

Submitted by Enjoy Life on

Wait, What? On MNF last night, the guys were talking about a new mouthpiece that "actually" improves performance. Really? Apparently it is "true".

"The UnderArmour mouthpiece, with ArmourBite technology, has been shown in several studies to improve performance and flexibility! As seen on Monday Night Football, the New Orleans Saints football team wears a specific athletic mouthpiece that increases performance."

Let's try it!

http://blog.stovallchengdds.com/?tag=monday-night-football-athletic-mou…

mattbern

November 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 AM ^

I saw that last night and I thought they were joking. I am absolutely no authority on this but it seems ridiculous that a mouthpiece could have any effect on balance, spine alignment, and whatever else they said it helps. But what do I know? At this point it couldn't hurt. Too bad its UnderArmour and not Adidas :(

Chad Sexington Henne

November 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^

I'm willing to bet it has more to do with having a young team working with completely new coaches on a completely different system.

Also, I'm going to buy (into, not literally) the mouthpieces. Gruden was saying in all the years he coached the Saints, he never saw as athletic recievers as the Saints' he had seen this season. Plus, I doubt they would flat out lie during a nationally broadcast game like that.

Shalom Lansky

November 3rd, 2009 at 11:11 AM ^

My WPM (words per minute) in Microsoft Word has nearly doubled. The copying machine works faster too (I assume due to increased button pressing speed). The only obvious decrease in performance comes during lunch, it does seem to interfere with chewing.

samgoblue

November 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 AM ^

I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but I think they work. I have one and I've found it to be a help. I recognize that it may be a placebo effect, but I've noticed pretty marked gains in strength and stamina.

Take that for what it's worth, though.

Shalom Lansky

November 3rd, 2009 at 11:23 AM ^

I suppose if I had to buy a mouthguard I would pick this mouthguard since I've never heard another word about another mouthguard, assuming the UA mouthguard doesn't cost 5X the amount of your average mouthguard which it probably does. How much does this equipment-steroid cost?

Don

November 3rd, 2009 at 11:36 AM ^

Once they did a chemical analysis in the lab, the CR scientists discovered that they're impregnated with methamphetamines. It's sort of like chewing 10x strength cocoa leaves, only it doesn't stain your teeth brown.

jmblue

November 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 PM ^

Speaking of which, I've noticed that none, or almost none, of our players wear the pacifier-type mouthpiece, wearing instead the smaller one that fits entirely inside one's mouth. (This was also true under Carr.) I noticed last weekend that a lot of MSU players wear the "pacifier." I've wondered what, if any, difference there is in safety from the two.

(I know - insert joke about MSU "sucking" here.)

tomhagan

November 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 PM ^

Yes this product from UnderArmour works. Lots of pros in all sports are starting to use this such as Derek Jeter for example. They are not cheap though. My company distributes them.

Enjoy Life

November 4th, 2009 at 10:58 AM ^

Yes, that is about what I expected. That is about the price of custom fit bite splints that are used to reduce teeth grinding, etc.

At this price, I would think all pro athletes would be using it. When you make 6 and 7 figure salaries, you should try just about anything to improve performance.

Even seems reasonable for college athletes (to be purchased by the athletic department).

Thanks.

JeffB

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:29 PM ^

I just looked at the website (underarmour.com) and you do have to go to a dentist to get the thing. Of course, you can't go to any old dentist - they actually have "Under Armour Authorized Dental Facilities."