The Relationship Between Physical Characteristics and Agility Amongst Youth Involved in an Urban Tennis Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Agility and the skill to change direction quickly are necessary attributes for success in tennis. Past research has indicated that these skills can be enhanced through training. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if relationships existed between the physical characteristics of height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio WHR, to agility time as measured by the pro agility drill. METHODS: Youth tennis players (N=205) ages 4-18 were recruited from a 6 week midwest urban tennis program. Each participant's age, height, weight, waist, and hip measurements were recorded, along with their performance time in the Pro Agility test. All tests were conducted prior to and at the conclusion of a six week tennis program. The results were analyzed by using a Pearson correlation to determine if any relationships existed. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between age and pro agility time (r = -0.57), as well as height at pro agility time (r = -0.48). No significant relationships existed between pro agility time and WHR (r =0.2), weight (r = -0.2), or BMI (r = -0.05). CONCLUSION: In an attempt to predict success in the game of tennis, the present study was undertaken to investigate relationships between physical characteristics and ability to change direction. The finding that as athletes mature both in age and stature their pro agility time is not novel, however, this could reflect not only maturation, but coaching as well. The fact that no relationship existed between the other variables indicates that physical characteristics are not valid predictors of agility time.