Differences in orofacial muscle strength according to age and sex in East Asian healthy adults

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify differences in orofacial muscle strength according to age and sex in healthy East Asian adults. Design A total of 382 subjects participated in this study (age range, 20-93 yrs). They were divided into two groups according to sex (male, n = 192; female, n = 190). The two groups were further divided on the basis of age into young (20-39 yrs), middle-aged (40-59 yrs), old (60-79 yrs), and very old (>80 yrs) groups. Assessments were performed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. Measures included the anterior tongue elevation pressure, posterior tongue elevation pressure, buccodental pressure, and lip pressure. Results All measures were higher in the male than in the female subjects (P < 0.001). The male subjects showed noticeably lower tongue strength in the old and very old groups relative to the young and middle-aged groups (P < 0.01); the female subjects showed a similar result in the very old group as compared with all younger groups. Conclusions Significant age-related differences in orofacial muscle strength were observed mainly of the tongue musculature. The male subjects had significantly lower tongue strength in the seventh decade or older as compared with the younger individuals, whereas in the female subjects, a similar result was noted, although tongue strength was not significantly lower until the ninth decade.