Effects of an oral health intervention/prevention strategy on psychosocial stress in pre-youth female athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v72.116815Keywords:
Oral health interven-tion/prevention, psychosocial stress, female athletes , pre-adolescentsAbstract
Introduction: Oral health in athletes is a fundamental area that is often underestimated, despite its direct impact on physical performance, recovery, and overall well-being. It may also exert a significant psychosocial influence, particularly in female populations. Implementing comprehensive oral health intervention strategies could help prevent psychosomatic symptoms such as stress.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of an oral health intervention/prevention strategy on psychosocial stress in pre-adolescent female athletes.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study with two independent groups (Experimental: n = 64; Control: n = 64) was conducted on a representative sample of female athletes aged 14 to 16 years experiencing moderate to high psychosocial stress. The experimental group underwent an oral health intervention/prevention strategy including educational, clinical, and psycho-affective actions.
Results: Within-group analysis showed statistically significant improvement only in the experimental group (p=0.000), with a reduction in perceived stress from “High” to “Moderate” and an improvement in oral hygiene from “Poor” to “Fair.” Between-group comparisons revealed better average ranks in the experimental group (76.27) compared to the control group (52.73), with significant improvements in both perceived stress (p=0.000) and oral hygiene index (Experimental: 33.09; Control: 95.91; p=0.000).
Conclusions: The oral health intervention/prevention strategy had a positive effect in significantly reducing psychosocial stress among young female athletes, along with improvements in oral hygiene. It is recommended that oral health programs be integrated into broader well-being strategies within youth sports environments.
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