ASPECTS OF SPEED AND AGILITY MONITORING IN PUPILS WHO PRACTICE TENNIS AS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

Problem statement. Tennis is a sport that lately demonstrates that the final result is not just the player's talent for handling the rocket or the ability to send the ball where it is needed. The ensemble of physical abilities represents an increasing weight in the training process, even from the beginning in tennis, all these taking into account the specific stages of growth and development of the body. Speed and agility are some of the main directions that can be addressed in the physical training of young juniors, knowing the fact that, at this age, the body development processes are evolving, the approaching of these qualities being done with obvious effects. Purpose of Study. The purpose of the research was to highlight the importance of monitoring speed and agility during tennis players' training periods, the children's category. Methods. The study has had as participants 5 tennis players aged between 10 and 12 years(±0,84years). The tests used to monitor the speed and agility were: 15 m sprint; 5 x 10 m shuttle sprint; visual stimulus reaction and running in a 3x3m square by changing direction; from the "T" running towards the net - approaching to a smart indicator and return to "T". Findings and Results. In terms of monitoring the running during 15 m, the time obtained ranged between 2.91 s - 3.21 s, while in the shuttle test, the time ranged between 12.25 s and 17.73 s. The agility tests expressed very good indicators regarding the ability of the tennis players to react, run to an indicated point and return to the start point. Conclusions. It was revealed that speed and agility monitoring in young junior tennis players is a very useful and important manner to achieve adequate, objective and proper training, especially at this age. The monitoring tests and hardware that were used proved to be motivational tools for the athletes having the chance to interact with some devices that gave them objective and smart feedback.