Background: The purpose of this study was to introduce a new Oral Health Activities Questionnaire (OHAQ, hereinafter) that examines different activities and behaviours related to the oral hygiene regimen of each analysed subject. Methods: A sample of 658 students was analysed to determine the OHAQ scale’s basic metric characteristics. To determine the construct validity of the OHAQ, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, as well as differences testing, were applied to groups of subjects on the basis of self-reported oral status measures. Results: The dimensions of oral health activities were determined, and the scales for their measurement were constructed. Females and males differed in the OHAQ questionnaire measures. Significant but low intercorrelations were found among the measures. In the female and male subsample, four different oral health (OH, hereinafter) types of subjects were identified, exhibiting different characteristic behaviours regarding oral health. OHAQ scales showed good discriminant validity, revealing the differences related to specific self-reported oral status measures (e.g., frequency of toothache and the number of filled teeth). Conclusions: The OHAQ represents a satisfactory measurement instrument for determining the level of OH activities and for doing quick and reliable classifications of the participating subjects according to their OH activities and behaviours. The process of further validation and advancements of the OHAQ scales and measures should be continued through a clinical examination of subjects.

Article: Influence of cognitive performance and swimming capacities on selection of youth water polo players to national team - The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2022 Mar 01 - Minerva Medica - Journals

Objectives: Water polo players ought to possess various physical capacities and well-developed cognitive functions that reflect the requirements of their specific playing position. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the cognitive performance, anthropometric characteristics and specific swimming capacities of youth water polo players in different playing positions. Methods: The present cross-sectional study involved 106 youth water polo players. The subjects were recruited as part of a project for talent identification and selection for the Croatian National Water Polo Team. Testing included anthropometric measurements, specific swimming capacities and cognitive performance (Stroop test). Results: Among the 106 youth water polo players, there were 15 goalkeepers (14.2%), 21 center-defenders (19.8%), 17 center-forwards (16.0%), 34 drivers (32.1%) and 19 wings (17.9%), with the mean age of 14.14 ± 0.38 years. The wings performed faster than center-forwards in both StroopOff time (wings: 57.14 ± 10.04 s vs. center-forwards: 67.03 ± 9.72 s, p = 0.016) and StroopOn time (wings: 66.18 ± 15.86 s vs. center-forwards: 80.24 ± 15.64 s, p = 0.019). Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrated significant differences between different playing positions in youth water polo players, specifically between center-forwards and wings. They performed faster than center-forwards in all tested variables of the Stroop test, measures of psychomotor ability, response inhibition and motor speed, as well as in specific swimming capacities measured in the 50 m crawl and the 400 m crawl. The results of this study provide a valuable foundation for establishing developmental recommendations for different playing positions, aimed at improving player’s performance. These recommendations should take into account anthropometric characteristics, specific functional swimming capacities and cognitive functions that influence players’ game intelligence, which can be enhanced through properly designed training programs.