Biomechanical events of swallowing are determined more by bolus consistency than by age or gender

The biomechanics of swallowing saliva and substances of different consistencies were investigated in healthy children and adults. To this end, the duration and mean amplitude value (MAV) of surface electromyography (sEMG) of the submental muscle group (SMG) activity, the maximum anterior tongue pressure (ATP), and the rise and release slopes of ATP were measured while participants (39 female and 39 male participants, age 5-65 years) swallowed saliva, 5 mL water (reference), 5 mL thick liquid, and 5 mL solid food. Mean outcome parameters varied with the consistency of the liquid or food swallowed, with the exception of the rise slope of ATP. Moreover, outcome variables were not substantially affected by age with children of 5 years and older showing similar biomechanical events to those of adults. It is important to gain insight into the biomechanics of swallowing saliva and substances of different consistencies in order to understand the underlying mechanisms of dysphagia children and adults.

► Biomechanical events during swallowing are determined mostly by consistency. ► Children have adult like muscular control strategies during various swallowing acts. ► sEMG and tongue pressure provide useful information on biomechanics of swallowing.