Abstract
ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to analyze the shoulder functional profile of young male and female tennis players and to establish the relationship among physical variables and serve speed.MethodsA total of 128 Spanish tennis players (Under-13 (n = 32/32 males/females) and Under-15 (n = 36/28 males/females), were tested during National training camps. Tests included passive shoulder range of motion (ROM) for both internal (IR) and external rotation (ER) and isometric strength (i.e., IR and ER) of the dominant/non-dominant shoulders, medicine ball throws (MBT), and serve speed. Age and sex pairwise comparisons were carried using the Hedges’ g index (dg).ResultsResults showed age and sex effects on serve speed and all MBT, with males showing greater changes (1.51≤dg≤1.98) with age than females (0.92≤dg≤1.35; p<0.05). U15 males showed higher (p<0.05) absolute shoulder IR and ER strength than U13, with only significant differences between males and females in the U15. Regarding ROM, U15 males showed a decreased IR ROM compared to U13 (dg = -0.84; p<0.05) and higher significant IR bilateral deficit (dg = 0.51; p<0.05). The distances obtained in the different MBT were the variables more correlated to serve speed.ConclusionThe present results suggest that shoulder strength, medicine ball throws and serve speed increased along with age in young elite tennis players of both sexes. However, a decreased range of motion and bilateral deficit for glenohumeral internal rotation is evident in male under-15 tennis players. Muscle strength, power and shoulder range of motion are key factors for serve speed in young tennis players.
Highlights
It is well known that tennis is an early initiation sport which leads players to spend a lot of training time mastering their individual sport-specific skills since early ages [1]
The present results suggest that shoulder strength, medicine ball throws and serve speed increased along with age in young elite tennis players of both sexes
Pairwise comparisons showed that U15 males showed a decreased IR range of motion (ROM) compared to U13 (U13 = 73.0 ̊; U15 = 61.8 ̊; dg = -0.84; p
Summary
It is well known that tennis is an early initiation sport which leads players to spend a lot of training time mastering their individual sport-specific skills since early ages [1]. In this regard, it has been reported that technical and tactical training in young tennis players often exceed 15 to 20 hours per week [2]. Previous research is still scarce, results reported a positive relationship between serve velocity and shoulder strength (i.e., internal (IR) and external rotation (ER)) [10], shoulder range of motion (ROM) (i.e., IR of the dominant shoulder) [11]. Overhead medicine ball throw and serve velocity are the most correlated predictors of overall tennis performance [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
