It is a scientific network formed by researchers from several Spanish universities and created primarily to analyse the factors (technical, tactical, psychological, physiological, biomechanical…) that influence the sporting performance of players and the dynamics of the game of water polo teams from children’s categories to the highest international level. In addition, the network covers other scientific interests such as talent identification, teaching-learning models of players in training and game situations, the influence of regulatory changes and their historical perspective, the development of computer software or the anthropometric and self-efficacy characteristics of water polo players according to the specific position they occupy.
The academic excellence of Water Polo Studies is backed by the accumulated experience of its members, with more than 25 years carrying out studies on this aquatic sport. Throughout all these years, several research projects have earned the trust and funding of institutions such as the Ministry of Education, the Higher Sports Council or the Seneca Foundation. Water Polo Studies has also collaborated closely with water polo clubs and organisations, offering scientific and technical support through research contracts with the universities to which it belongs.
Throughout this time, data from different World Championships (Barcelona-03, Melbourne-07, Rome-09 and Barcelona-13) and European Championships (Seville-97, Belgrade-06, Malaga-08 and Budapest-20) have been collected and analysed. And, since 1997, many of the national and regional, men’s and women’s, senior and age-group leagues, as well as the Mediterranean Games held in Almeria-05 have also been the subject of study, always with the aim of better understanding this sport.
All the experience and knowledge generated from the different studies has been disseminated, and is accessible, through the publication of articles in scientific and specialised journals on aquatic activities, communications in national and international congresses, as well as the doctoral theses written and directed by the members of the network. Some of them have had the opportunity to teach in national and international training courses for trainers.
In short, the purpose of the network is to carry out research on water polo and to collaborate with institutions, federations and clubs to transfer the results to the scientific, sporting and educational fields and to contribute to the development of the sport.