Vienna Test System measures failed to predict goal and passing efficiency during international water polo matches in world-class-level youth water polo players

Fridvalszki, M.; Matlák, J.; Kovács, B.; Hortobágyi, T.; Petridis, L.; Dudás, D.; Horváth, D.; Langmár, G.; Győri, T.; Matics, Z.; Rácz, L.

Marcell Fridvalszki ^*, János Matlák ^*, Bálint Kovács ^*/**, Tibor Hortobágyi ^{*/***/****/*****}, Leonidas Petridis ^******, Donatella Dudás ^******, Dávid Horváth ^*, Gergely Langmár ^*******, Tamás Győri ^********, Zsolt Matics ^******** and Levente Rácz ^*

^(*) Department of Kinesiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Alkotás u. 42-48, Budapest, Hungary H-1123
^(**) Department of Sport Sciences, Ningbo University, N0.818 Fenghua Ro, Jiangbei
^(***) Department of Sport Biology, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 6, Pécs, Hungary H-7624
^(****) Department of Neurology, Somogy County Kaposi Mór Teaching Hospital, Tallián Gyula u. 20-32, Kaposvár, Hungary H-7400
^(*****) Center for Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen Medical Center, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, Netherlands 9713 GZ
^(******) Research Center for Sport Physiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Alkotás u. 42-48, Budapest
^(*******) Hungarian National Academy of Handball, Gaál Gaszton u. 58, Balatonboglár, Hungary H-8630
^(********) Fit4Race Ltd, Csörsz u. 14-16, Budapest, Hungary H-1123

Citation

Fridvalszki, M., Matlák, J., Kovács, B., Hortobágyi, T., Petridis, L., Dudás, D., Horváth, D., Langmár, G., Győri, T., Matics, Z., Rácz, L. (2023). Vienna Test System measures failed to predict goal and passing efficiency during international water polo matches in world-class-level youth water polo players. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 54(5), 389-403. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2023.54.389

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine whether Vienna Test System measures can reflect water polo players’ offensive game performance. Thirty-six young male water polo players were divided into players selected for the youth national team (n=21) and players not selected (n=15). Composite scores were formed from the cognitive variables, and match performance indi- cators comprised goal and passing efficiency. No significant associations were observed between the composite scores and efficiency indicators; moreover, the composite scores failed to predict goal and passing efficiency in the multiple regression analyses. We did not find significant differences between the selected and nonselected groups, with the exception of mean reaction time in favour of the nonselected group (p<0.05). Vienna Test System did not reflect water polo game performance, therefore future researchers should consider the development and validation of sport-specific neuropsychological laboratory tests to obtain more relevant information about water polo players’ perceptual-cognitive skills.

Keywords: Perceptual-cognitive skills, Match performance indicators, Top-le- vel athletes, Shooting accuracy

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