Full effort compared to partial effort performance of the tennis serve in collegiate tennis players

Abstract

Interval tennis rehabilitation programs (ITRPs) are advocated during later stages of shoulder and elbow rehabilitation. ITRPs utilize gradual increases in hitting or serving effort, based on perceived effort. Over-estimation of effort may increase stress. This investigation purpose was to determine actual tennis serve velocity when asked to hit serves at perceived effort of 50%, 75%. Thirty-nine healthy college tennis players performed a warm-up of groundstrokes and serves. Five maximal effort serves (100% velocity) functioned as the 100% maximal effort serve. Then, five serves were hit at each of two randomly determined velocities. The average of five trials for maximum effort (100% velocity) was calculated. Based on this number, 75% and 50% of maximum velocity was determined. Using one-sample t-tests, the subjects’ perceived efforts were compared against computed percentages. Differences were found between perceived effort and calculated percent. Overall, actual velocity served was greater than percieved. Because velocity at 100% effort was significantly different for males and females, a separate analyses was done by gender. Both males’ and females’ perceived velocities were significantly greater (p < .05) than the athletes’ computed velocities at 75% and 50%, respectively. Perceived serve effort does not equate to actual ball velocity. A need exists to use other measures to determine effort or intensity during ITRPs. Serving at higher velocity levels early after musculoskeletal shoulder or elbow injury may increase the risk of re-injury or lack of progression. This study provides clinicians with guidance for the progression of tennis players during an interval program.