Differential genioglossus muscle responses to changes in breathing route in awake people with and without obstructive sleep apnea

Journal of Applied Physiology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Peter G.R. Burke, L. Jugé, Fiona L Knapman, J. Yeung, C. Bull, E. Brown, Rodrigo Tomazini Martins, Simon C. Gandevia, DJ Eckert, Jane E. Butler, Lynne E. Bilston
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00588.2025
Cited by: 1
References: 61

Abstract

Breathing is supposed to occur through the nose. The switch to oral breathing occurs during exercise, with nasal congestion, or during sleep. This study reports that oral breathing is associated with different patterns of genioglossus muscle activity in individuals with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A subset of participants with OSA showed increased inspiratory genioglossus muscle activity with oral breathing, despite reduced airway resistance, which was unexpected, and may represent a neural adaptation to increased oral breathing in OSA.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research Neuroscience of respiration and sleep Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Applied Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
140
Issue
6
Pages
1487–1498
Publication date
20 April 2026
Language
EN