Abstract
Background: The identification of gender differences in kinematics and coordination of movement in different body segments in sports may improve the training process by emphasizing the necessity of its differentiation, and consequently individualization, developing, and improving the technique in women and men. Indicating differences can also help in determining the risk of injury in order to prevent from them by diversifying training programs. However, there is no information regarding this problem in the existing literature pertaining to table tennis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the differences in the values of selected angular and kinematic parameters during topspin forehand and topspin backhand shots between male and female table tennis players. Methods: Six male and six female advanced table tennis players performed topspin forehand and topspin backhand shots, both receiving a backspin ball. The angular parameters in four events (ready position, backswing, maximum acceleration, and forward) at chosen joints as well as the maximal acceleration of the playing hand were measured, using the myoMotion system, and were compared between male and female players. Results: Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found in the magnitude of angular parameters and maximum hand acceleration between men and women. The movement pattern of topspin strokes performed by men takes into account, more than that in the case of women, movements that use large muscle groups and large joints (hip joints, trunk joints, shoulder joints in extension, and flexion). The difference in the values of maximal acceleration reached almost 50 m/s2 in topspin forehand (p < 0.01) and 20 m/s2 in backhand (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Differentiation of movement patterns can be a manifestation of movement optimization due to anthropological differences and limitations. The differences in the values of maximal acceleration suggest that women could use both sides to perform a topspin attack against the backspin ball, while men should seek opportunities to make a stronger shot with a forehand topspin.
Highlights
IntroductionVarious studies have highlighted the benefits of playing table tennis as a form of recreation and leisure, such as improving hand-eye coordination [1], improving balance, coordination, brain stimulation and development of cognitive functions [2], development of body build, and improving fat distribution [3].as a sport practiced by professional players, table tennis is extremely demanding.The skill level in this sport is determined by a great number of factors, which are combined in terms of physical preparation (fitness and coordination aptitudes), technical preparation (e.g., perfection, variability, and variety of playing techniques), tactical preparation (e.g., planning and “reading” the game and adjustment), and mental preparation (e.g., positive attitude, attention, level of emotions, etc.) [4,5]
Various studies have highlighted the benefits of playing table tennis as a form of recreation and leisure, such as improving hand-eye coordination [1], improving balance, coordination, brain stimulation and development of cognitive functions [2], development of body build, and improving fat distribution [3].as a sport practiced by professional players, table tennis is extremely demanding.The skill level in this sport is determined by a great number of factors, which are combined in terms of physical preparation, technical preparation, tactical preparation, and mental preparation [4,5]
The aim of the study was to evaluate the differences in the values of selected angular and kinematic parameters during topspin forehand and topspin backhand shots between men and women in table tennis
Summary
Various studies have highlighted the benefits of playing table tennis as a form of recreation and leisure, such as improving hand-eye coordination [1], improving balance, coordination, brain stimulation and development of cognitive functions [2], development of body build, and improving fat distribution [3].as a sport practiced by professional players, table tennis is extremely demanding.The skill level in this sport is determined by a great number of factors, which are combined in terms of physical preparation (fitness and coordination aptitudes), technical preparation (e.g., perfection, variability, and variety of playing techniques), tactical preparation (e.g., planning and “reading” the game and adjustment), and mental preparation (e.g., positive attitude, attention, level of emotions, etc.) [4,5]. The identification of gender differences in kinematics and coordination of movement in different body segments in sports may improve the training process by emphasizing the necessity of its differentiation, and individualization, developing, and improving the technique in women and men. The aim of the study was to evaluate the differences in the values of selected angular and kinematic parameters during topspin forehand and topspin backhand shots between male and female table tennis players. Methods: Six male and six female advanced table tennis players performed topspin forehand and topspin backhand shots, both receiving a backspin ball. The angular parameters in four events (ready position, backswing, maximum acceleration, and forward) at chosen joints as well as the maximal acceleration of the playing hand were measured, using the myoMotion system, and were compared between male and female players.
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