21 de abril, 2025

Tongue Debate: Should It Rest on the Roof or Floor? Here’s What Science Says

Name: Boquilla de rendimiento AIRWAAV HIIT
Brand: AIRWAAV
SKU: AIR-HIIT-PM-1
Price: 49.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Enhancing performance, recovery, and even sleep often comes down to the little things that make a big difference. And one of the smallest—yet most surprisingly impactful—details is where your tongue rests in your mouth.

Sounds odd? You’re not alone. But research suggests that tongue posture isn’t just about comfort—it’s linked to your breathing efficiency, heart rate function, and muscle tension. And that’s why AIRWAAV has taken a deep dive into this often-overlooked piece of the performance puzzle.

What the Science Says About Tongue Position

A major study that has helped guide AIRWAAV’s product design is “Effects of Tongue Position on Mandibular Muscle Activity and Heart Rate Function” by Schmidt and Carlson (2009). This research asked participants to position their tongue in two ways:

• Against the roof of the mouth (palate)

• Resting on the floor of the mouth

Researchers then measured mandibular muscle activity, breathing rate, and heart rate variability (HRV)—a key indicator of parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) function.

Key Findings:

• Tongue-on-palate positioning led to increased muscle activity in the temporalis and suprahyoid regions.

• It also caused a decrease in HRV, a signal of elevated stress and reduced recovery capacity.

• Breathing rate was also slightly higher with the tongue on the palate.

These findings raise an important question: If placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth ramps up muscle engagement and lowers recovery capacity, why is it still being recommended as a “rest” position?

The Ongoing Tongue Controversy

In clinical circles—dentistry, orthodontics, and some performance coaching protocols—placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth has been widely promoted as ideal. It’s often associated with proper jaw development, posture, and breathwork.

But Schmidt and Carlson’s study, along with similar research, challenges this. Their data suggests that the so-called “resting” position may not promote relaxation at all. Instead, it could lead to increased sympathetic nervous system activity (the fight-or-flight response), muscle fatigue, and inefficient breathing over time.

AIRWAAV’s Science-Driven Approach

At AIRWAAV, we’ve taken this research seriously—and used it to reimagine what a performance mouthpiece can do.

So, what makes AIRWAAV different?

AIRWAAV offers lower-jaw performance and sleep mouthpieces that fit over the lower teeth. One of the most critical features is that it gently guides your tongue beneath a central bite bar, tucking it down and forward—away from the palate.

Why that matters:

• Promotes natural jaw alignment

• Keeps the tongue relaxed and low, reducing muscular tension

• Triggers a physiological response that opens the airway and reduces respiratory rate

• Based on previous research, this may support a reduction in sympathetic overdrive

Breathing Smarter—Not Harder

We advise AIRWAAV users to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth during submaximal efforts. This optimizes oxygen efficiency and activates the parasympathetic system. During high-intensity sessions, where mouth breathing becomes necessary, the mouthpiece continues to help by keeping the airway open and the tongue out of the way.

So, Where Should the Tongue Rest?

That’s the big question—and the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. But research points to the floor of the mouth as the more relaxed, functionally efficient rest position—especially during activity. That’s why AIRWAAV was built to support it, while many traditional methods still unknowingly encourage the opposite.

Whether you’re lifting, sprinting, or cooling down, where your tongue rests can affect how you breathe, how you recover, and how well you perform. The Schmidt and Carlson study—and our own research—makes a strong case for the tongue-down, jaw-aligned posture AIRWAAV facilitates.

Ready to Rethink Your Tongue Position?

This small shift could unlock serious gains. With AIRWAAV, you get a sleek, breathable, scientifically engineered tool that supports better breathing, less tension, and optimized performance.