The Effects of Rhythm Training on Tennis Performance

Mustafa Söğüt,Feza Korkusuz,Sadettin Kirazci

doi:10.2478/v10078-012-0051-3

Mustafa Söğüt, Feza Korkusuz + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2478/v10078-012-0051-3

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Abstract

Rhythm training is an integral part of sports. The purposes of the study were to analyze the effects of rhythm training on tennis performance and rhytmic competence of tennis players, to compare the improvement levels of tennis specific and general rhythm training and to examine the effects of shorter and longer tempos on rhythmic competence. Thirty university students whose mean score of International Tennis Number (ITN) was 7.3 (±0.9) were divided randomly into three sub-groups: Tennis Group, General Rhythm Training Group and Tennis-Specific Rhythm Training Group. The experimental procedure lasted 8 weeks. During this period, all groups had the same tennis training twice a week. The Tennis Group had regular tennis training sessions. In addition to regular tennis training sessions, the General Rhythm Training Group followed the general rhythm training sessions and the Tennis-Specific Rhythm Training Group had tennis-specific rhythm training. The measurement instruments were ITN, Rhythmic Competence Analysis Test and Untimed Consecutive Rally Test. The results indicated that participation in tennis-specific or general rhythm training resulted in progress in tennis playing levels, forehand consistency performance and rhythmic competence of the participants. On the other hand, attendance to the regular 8-week tennis training was enough to solely increase the tennis playing level but not sufficient to develop forehand consistency performance and rhythmic competence. Although the participants in the TRTG had better improvement scores than the ones in the GRTG, no significant difference was found between the rhythm training groups. The results also revealed that participants exhibited higher rhythmic competence scores on fast tempo compared to slow tempo.

Highlights

Previous studies reported the existence and importance of rhythm in sport skills. Weikart (1989) asserted that swimmers are getting their own beat by moving their arms and legs in coordinated pattern of strokes and kicks
It was hypothesized that participants in the rhythm training groups (GRTG and tennis-specific rhythm training group (TRTG)) were expected to exhibit higher improvement scores than the participants in the Tennis Group
The independent variables of the study consisted of regular tennis training, general rhythm training, and tennis-specific rhythm training

Summary

Introduction

Previous studies reported the existence and importance of rhythm in sport skills. Weikart (1989) asserted that swimmers are getting their own beat by moving their arms and legs in coordinated pattern of strokes and kicks. Previous studies reported the existence and importance of rhythm in sport skills. Weikart (1989) asserted that swimmers are getting their own beat by moving their arms and legs in coordinated pattern of strokes and kicks. Zachopoulou et al (2000) pointed out that swimming skills require performing of a constant rhythm. According to Laurence (2000), rhythmic abilities facilitate the success in ballet. Dance movements are performed in rhythmic structure and are affected by the elements of rhythm (Kirchner & Fishburne, 1995). Dance movements are performed in rhythmic structure and are affected by the elements of rhythm (Kirchner & Fishburne, 1995). Pica (1998)

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