Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
Association of Cognitive Function and Water Polo Exposure with Sports Injuries in Youth Water Polo Players
By Tea Galić, Ana-Marija Vukas, Frane Mihanović and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Water polo is a sport that combines substantial physical contact with high cognitive demands, exposing athletes to sports-related injuries, including head and orofacial trauma. This study investigated associations between cognitive performance, cumulative water polo exposure and injury history in youth water polo players.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 161 youth water polo players (103 males, 58 females; mean age 15.76 ± 1.53 years). Sports-related injury history was assessed using an online questionnaire. Cognitive performance was evaluated with the computerized Stroop test. Sport exposure time (years of official water polo participation) and number of games played were extracted from the official Croatian Water Polo Federation database. Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for age and sex; additional head injury models were adjusted for years of participation.