Female Tennis Players Research Articles

TRAINING METHODS FOR ATHLETES’ NEUROLOGICAL REACTION TIMES

ABSTRACT Introduction: By observing the characteristics of the development of competitive tennis in the world, it is not difficult to find that tennis requires extremely fast reaction times from players. Objective: To explore the relationship between athlete's reaction time and different training methods. Methods: 48 outstanding female tennis players were selected. They received four weeks of regular training (from March 2 to March 28, 2020) and two weeks before the competition (from June 8 to June 20, 2020). After the training, the Omega Wave system was used for testing, and urine samples were taken for catecholamine testing. Results: In the test of 48 people before the competition, 30 people experienced central fatigue, from which 24 people (80%) were in the regular training stage, and only six people (20%) were in the training stage before the competition. HRV indicators: In the regular training stage, the results of time-domain indicators such as SDNN (NN interval standard deviation), SDSD (NN interval difference standard deviation), RMSSD (NN interval difference root mean square), and frequency-domain indicators such as LF (low frequency) and HF (high frequency) in the second and third week of the athletes were lower than those in the first and fourth week, showing the characteristics of first falling and then rising. However, there was no significant change. Conclusion: Different training methods can improve athletes› competitive level and reaction speed. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

The Association Between Chronological Age and Maturity Status on Lower Body Clinical Measurements and Asymmetries in Elite Youth Tennis Players.

Tennis is one of the most popular sports among youths. At elite levels, a notable increase in injury incidence and a temporary decline in performance may occur when children progress through puberty. However, limited research has explored maturity-associated variations in clinical measurements suggested as predictors of injury and tennis performance in elite youth players. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to analyze the association between chronological age and maturity status on several measures of neuromuscular capability and physical performance as well as bilateral (interlimb) asymmetries in elite youth tennis players. Youth tennis players around peak height velocity (PHV) will show higher growth-related impairments or deficits in measures of neuromuscular capability and physical performance than their less (pre-PHV) and more (post-PHV) mature counterparts irrespective of sex. Level 4. A total of 68 male (age, 13.7 ± 1.1 years; height, 162.4 ± 9.4 cm; body mass, 51.4 ± 10.3 kg [Mean values ± SD]) and 60 female (age, 13.6 ± 1.1 years; height, 162.8 ± 7.2 cm; body mass, 52.7 ± 7.5 kg [Mean values ± SD]) elite youth tennis players from 2 different age groups (under 13 [U13] and under 15 [U15]) and maturity status (pre-PHV, around PHV, and post-PHV), were tested during national training camps. Tests included the Y Balance Test, isometric hip abduction and adduction strength, hip ranges of motion (ROMs), and countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Bayesian analysis was used to establish any significant between-group differences. Only dynamic balance (in boys; Bayesian factor [BF10] = 88.2) and jump height (in both boys and girls; BF10 >100) were significatively associated with chronological age, whereby the U15 group showed lower Y Balance Test reach distances (-6%; standardized effect size δ = 0.62) but higher CMJ height scores (+18%; δ = 0.73) than the U13 group. Although boys jump higher (+11%; δ = 0.62) and were stronger in isometric hip adduction strength (+14%; δ = 0.92) than girls, the latter had greater hip internal ROM values (+15%; δ = 0.75). Furthermore, relevant maturity-associated effects (BF10 = 34.6) were solely observed for the CMJ test in boys, with the most mature players demonstrating higher jump height scores (+12%; δ = 0.93). Finally, a significant percentage (>25%) of tennis players, independent of sex, demonstrated bilateral asymmetries in hip ROM, hip strength, and jump height values. The findings of this study show that in U13 and U15 male and female tennis players, there were neither positive nor negative maturity-associated variations in the clinical measurements analyzed (with the exception of jump height in male players). The high proportion of tennis players showing bilateral asymmetries in dynamic balance, hip ROM, and strength and jump performance highlight the need of future studies to analyze these factors in relation to unilateral tennis-specific adaptations in the musculoskeletal and sensorimotor systems. These results may help to better understand how different clinical measurements are associated with the process of growth and maturation in elite youth tennis players and may aid in the design of specific training interventions during these stages of development.

Eccentric and Isometric Shoulder Rotation Strength and Range of Motion: Normative Values for Adolescent Competitive Tennis Players

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate isometric internal rotation (IR), external rotation (ER), abduction (ABD), and eccentric external rotation (eccER) shoulder strength and rotational range of motion (ROM) in adolescent male and female competitive tennis players. Additional aims of the study were to provide a tennis-specific normative database based on a large sample of players to deepen the knowledge regarding shoulder strength and ROM for adolescent competitive tennis players, and to discuss differences based on sex, age, and level of play. Shoulder strength and ROM was assessed in 301 adolescent competitive tennis players, 176 boys and 125 girls with a mean age of 14.6 and 14.4 years, respectively. Outcome variables of interest were isometric IR and ER strength, ABD strength, eccER shoulder strength, intermuscular strength ratios ER/IR and eccER/IR, IR ROM, ER ROM, and total range of motion (TROM). A General Linear Model two-way ANOVA was used to analyze differences in sex, age, and level of play. The findings of this study demonstrated age, side, and sex differences in the shoulder isometric strength, the eccER strength and ROM in adolescent competitive tennis players. Furthermore, when strength was expressed as ratios ER/IR and eccER/IR both sexes showed a lower ratio for eccER/IR in national players (0.95 ± 0.22 and 0.95 ± 0.23) compared to regional players (1.01 ± 0.32 and 1.07 ± 0.29) for male and female players, respectively. In conclusion, this paper presents a tennis-specific normative database for shoulder rotation strength and ROM in adolescent male and female competitive players. The key points in this evaluation are strength values normalized to body mass, intermuscular ratios, and TROM.

Binocular vision training for professional athletes

Optimal visual abilities including stereo acuity seem to be an important issue in sports. There is increasing evidence that stereo acuity can be sustainably improved by digital vision training even for people with good stereo acuity. In this study 31male and female tennis players (professionals, young professionals, coaches and former professionals) completed at least 6training units each with 192 dynamic stereoscopic tasks (N = 1152) within 6 weeks including a4-option testwith different levels of difficulty on a3D screen at a distance of 5 m. The parameter reaction time and correctness at 15-300 arcseconds was determined. For amore precise representation of the reaction time improvement as afunction of the difficulty level, the parameter reaction time increase per stereo disparity reduction (ReST) was defined. Reaction time to 15 arcsecond stimuli significantly decreased from 3.9 s to 1.6 s (59%) as aresult of digital vision training. The correctness at 30 arcsecond stimuli significantly increased by 23%. The observed improvement in reaction time during vision training did not result in decreasing correctness when answering the visual questions. This represents an overall improvement in stereo vision. Dynamic visual training over 6 weeks improves stereoscopic performance including stereo acuity, response time and correctness.

The influence of growth and development on shoulder rotators strength in young male and female elite tennis players.

Tennis practice requires a lot of technical, physical and mental qualities that have to be trained from the youngest age. The important number of hours spent on the court can lead, medium-to-long term to strength or flexibility adaptations, even in the youngest players. The current study aimed to explore the developmental consequences of repetitively playing tennis on shoulder range of motion and shoulder rotators' strength in elite male and female tennis players. Eigthy four painfree elite tennis players were assessed during preseason between 2009 and 2019. Clinical assessment included internal and external rotation range of motion and forward shoulder posture while maximal internal and external rotators strength were assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer in concentric and in eccentric modes (at 60°/s and 240°/s). In male players, growth and maturation induced an increase in forward shoulder posture. Absolute peak torque and bodyweight peak torque of internal and external rotators in concentric and eccentric mode were also significantly increased during with age while ER/IR concentric ratios were significantly decreased. In the female players, only absolute peak torque of internal and external rotators in concentric mode and eccentric strength of external rotators were significantly influenced by the development. Specific adaptations were found in male and female players with age and practice. The important variability in the results within the different age categories and the gender strengthens the importance of regular screening (and isokinetic evaluations) in young tennis players in order to highlight potential atypical profiles, which could have a negative influence on performance or increase the risk of injuries during the development of the player.

Effects of integrative neuromuscular training intervention on physical performance in elite female table tennis players: A randomized controlled trial.

ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of integrative neuromuscular training (INT) on physical performance in elite female table tennis players.MethodsTwenty-four Chinese elite female table tennis players were randomized into either INT (n = 12) group or control group (CON; n = 12). INT group performed four INT sessions every week for 8 weeks, while CON group performed traditional physical fitness training. One repetition maximal (1RM), vertical jump, Y balance test and 30-meter sprinting performance were tested before and after intervention.ResultsNo between groups differences were detected for any tests before intervention. Significant group by time (before or after intervention) interaction effects were observed in 1RM, vertical jump, bilateral lower limb reaching distance at posteromedial and posterolateral directions, and right leg at the anterior direction for the Y balance test (all p < 0.05), but not for the left leg at the anterior direction or the 30-meter sprinting performance (both p > 0.05). Post-hoc analysis for measurements with significant interactions revealed that all significant changes were at the ING group (all p < 0.05), while no changes for the CON group were observed (all p > 0.05).ConclusionEight weeks INT significantly improved strength, power and balance in Chinese elite female table tennis players. Adopting INT in table tennis players may improve their physical performance and lead to better sports performance.

The relationship between psychological traits and recognition of the physical features and outfit of opponents in female high school tennis players

The relationship between psychological traits and recognition of the physical features and outfit of opponents in female high school tennis players

The Effects of Kinesiology Treatment on Morphological Characteristics of Top Table Tennis Players with Disabilities

Sports results of table tennis players with disabilities depend on the functionality level, but also on morphological characteristics. There is an increased risk of obesity in these athletes with disability due to a reduced level of locomotor functionality. The hitherto practice showed that leading table tennis players with disabilities in Serbia did not have an additional kinesiology treatment implemented as part of their training process, which would encourage both strengthening and flexibility of muscle groups relevant for the efficacy of table tennis game, and reduction of body mass and voluminosity. The goal of this paper is to apply an additional kinesiology treatment and determine its effect of on the morphological characteristics of leading table tennis players with disabilities. Eight representatives, table tennis players with disabilities, both male and female, aged between 23 and 52, were included in the additional kinesiology treatment that lasted for nine months. The measures of longitudinal skeleton dimensionality, body mass and volume, subcutaneous adipose tissue and body mass index were analyzed. In order to establish the effects of kinesiology treatment Student's t-test was used, while the results were processed by means of a statistical package SPSS, version 14.0. The values were estimated at p < 0.05 significance level. Male respondents demonstrated statistically significant changes in biceps skinfold (p = 0.05). In the case of female respondents no statistically significant difference was observed in anthropometric space. The additional kinesiology treatment indicates a trend towards reduced voluminosity and body mass of both male and female respondents, but not at a statistically significant level, which is probably the result of an insufficient number of respondents. Continued additional kinesiology treatment should be included in the training process of male and female table tennis players with disabilities, which has not been the case up until now.

Study of physical tests in the selection of 8-9 year old female table tennis players in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Study of physical tests in the selection of 8-9 year old female table tennis players in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

A case study of serve training for a collegiate female tennis player

A case study of serve training for a collegiate female tennis player

Efficacy of Six Weeks Stability Exercises on the Glenohumeral Joint of Female Tennis Players with Scapular Dyskinesia

Efficacy of Six Weeks Stability Exercises on the Glenohumeral Joint of Female Tennis Players with Scapular Dyskinesia

Mental imagery and tennis: a review, applied recommendations and new research directions

Mental Imagery (MI), which can be defined as the brain’s ability to recreate motor experiences in the absence of actual actions, is a mental strategy commonly used by tennis players and coaches in the context of learning and performance. The purpose of this review was to examine the MI use, interventions and effects on the performance of tennis players. Preferred reporting items for reviews and meta-analyses guidelines were employed and research studies were collected via SCOPUS, PubMed, PsycINFO, Science Direct and Google Scholar, in English and French, from the earliest record up to August 2021. Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. This review (number 2020-05-87) resulted in a wide variety of MI use in tennis and its beneficial effects, whatever the level or age of the players. MI interventions generally improve motor performance, motivational or affective outcomes. Moreover, MI is frequently combined with other mental skills and integrated in pre-performance routines including breathing, positive self-talk, and/or concentration. This study also highlighted the weak representation of female tennis players that’s why future research is needed to better explore the gender effect in MI interventions in tennis. Overall, MI appears to be beneficial for players, whatever their age or level, and should be incorporated in training programs. Practical implications are discussed.

대학 여자테니스선수의 경기력 향상을 위한 심리기술 훈련 적용 단일사례연구

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of psychological skills of in-depth interview and training program on the performance of college female tennis players. Methods: The subject of this study was one 20-year-old college freshman with 10 years of experience. Test of performance Strategies, IZOF model, and athletes’ self-management test paper were measured before and after the test. Psychological skill training and in-depth interview were conducted for a total of 8 months from April to December 2019, and the session was 1 session with a total of 18 sessions. It took about 1 hour 1-20 minutes each. Results: First, there was an overall change in the sports performance strategy according to the application of psychological skill training. Specifically, self-talk, automatism, imagery, motivation/motivation, negative thoughts, and relaxation factors were improved. Second, the IZOF model according to the application of psychological skill training has a large score difference, so technical smashing, physical agility, psychological emotion/thought control, tension control, confidence, and fun factors are required for training. hird, the self-management of athletes according to the application of psychological skill training was improved to 13 in the 1st, 20 in the 2nd, and 31 in the 3rd. Fourth, the basis for the change in performance due to the application of psychological skill training was presented based on the games played during April-December 2019. Before training, she placed 2nd in the University Tennis Federation match in March, 2nd place in the Collegiate Tennis Federation doubles match in July, 2nd place in the University Tennis Federation match in September, and 1st place in the mixed doubles at the University Tennis Championships in November. Conclusion: In a follow-up study, if you receive group psychological training and interview with fellow players from the same university or team, it is thought that the players will understand their colleagues, and urthermore, they will understand each other, overcome difficulties, and increase morale.

Individualisation of the training process of tennis players using the heart rate monitor

This study aims to demonstrate the efficiency and necessity of heart rate monitoring and especially individualising workouts depending on each athlete’s response to the effort provided in both training and everyday life. The study included a group of 6 female tennis players aged 13-14, with 6-7 years of tennis experience. The methods used to conduct this study were the following: bibliographic documentation, direct and indirect observation, testing and measurement, graphical method. In this research, the Polar M400 Heart Rate Monitor was used during the 14 weeks of training. Each girl athlete has her own device (watch and chest belt) and own Polar Flow account where data are transferred from the watch. The software allowed us to record data during the physical training and tennis training of athletes, as well as their daily activity expressed as a percentage. The assessments of tested parameters highlighted the following: the 50-minutes run at a pace of 150 beats per minute (bpm) recorded an average increase of 1.3 km, with a percentage increase of 19.78%; basal heart rate recorded an average decrease of 14.3 bpm, with a percentage increase of 18.14%; VO2 max recorded an average increase of 6 ml/kg/min, with a percentage increase of 10.81%. Differences between the initial and final tests indicate progress for each athlete, which means that the methodology of teaching training lessons has been efficient and therefore the performance of athletes has increased.

RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE WORKLOAD OF A FEMALE TENNIS PLAYER OVER TWO SEASONS - SINGE CASE STUDY

In recent years, the use of advanced wearable technologies in tennis has improved the ability to monitor workload and performance indicators. Using the device Armbeep Tennis, attached to the wrist of an entry level female tennis player, we recorded 97% of the tennis training and all official matches over two annual competitive seasons. The aim of the study was to determine the variation of different workload indicators during the preparation and competition phases in one annual season and to compare the workload indicators between the two seasons. We found no significant differences in the results of the training, tournament, and performance indicators between the two seasons. Our tennis player trained more on average in the second year (Y1 = 90.9 min, Y2 = 97.5 min) and the percentage of active time was also higher (Y1 = 30.6%, Y2 = 32.4%). A higher number of shots per week (Y1 = 3109.1, Y2 = 2869.4) was observed in the first year, while the number of shots per hour was higher in the second year (Y1 =420.6, Y2 = 430.1). The pace of the rally was higher in the first year (Y1 = 24.6, Y2 = 23.4). The differences between the other workload indicators were not significant in the two years. This single case study provides good insight into the overall progression of training and competition over two annual seasons and can serve as a basis for determining workload indicators for novice tennis players or those just embarking on this path.

Gender bias in morphological inferences

AbstractThe present study explores how language learners apply gender stereotypes in learning a novel language with grammatical gender. Adult, English-speaking participants were exposed to picture–sound pairs from a miniature language. Each picture was of a matched gendered professional (e.g., male tennis player, female tennis player) with a nonsense form [CVCV-go/gu]. Participants were exposed to 32 picture–sound pairs (16 male, and 16 female, all matched) five times in a randomized order. Following training, participants were given a two-alternative forced-choice test with novel picture–word pairs. Participants were presented with a novel picture paired with two words (e.g., [befegu vs. befebo]) and were asked to choose which word most likely portrayed the meaning conveyed by the picture. These novel items contained gender-matched professions (e.g., male and female chemist), neutral items (office supplies), stereotypically female items (makeup), and stereotypically male items (tools). Participants assigned the appropriate gender to the novel professions, and assigned gender in line with the stereotyped objects at a rate significantly greater than chance (but not for neutral items). These results support the hypothesis that learning a language with a binary grammatical gender might be influenced by gender stereotypes.

Surveillance of Injury Types, Locations, and Intensities in Male and Female Tennis Players: A Content Analysis of Online Newspaper Reports.

The popularity of modern tennis has contributed to the increasing number of participants at both recreational and competitive levels. The influx of numerous tennis participants has resulted in a wave of injury occurrences of different types and magnitudes across both male and female players. Since tennis injury harms both players’ economic and career development, a better understanding of its epidemiology could potentially curtail its prevalence and occurrences. We used online-based tennis-related injury reports to study the prevalence, location types, and injury intensities in both male and female tennis players for the past five years. It is demonstrated from the chi-square analysis that injury occurrences are significantly associated with a specific gender (χ2(18) = 50.773; p = 0.001), with male players having a higher risk of injury manifestation (68.10%) as compared with female players (31.90%). Nonetheless, knee, hip, ankle, and shoulder injuries are highly prevalent in both male and female players. Moreover, the injury intensities are distributed across gender (χ2(2) = 0.398; p = 0.820), with major injuries being dominant, followed by minor injuries, whilst a few cases of career-threatening injuries were also reported. It was similarly observed that male players recorded a higher degree of both major, minor, and career-threatening injuries than female players. In addition, male players sustained more elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and thigh injuries than female players. Whereas, female players mostly suffered from Achilles and back injuries, ankle and hamstring injuries affected both genders. The usage of online newspaper reports is pivotal in characterizing the epidemiology of tennis-related injuries based on locations and gender to better understand the pattern and localization of injuries, which could be used to address the problem of modern tennis-related injuries.

How self-reflection and resilience can affect pre-competition anxiety? Evidence from national competitive table tennis in adolescent players

Although previous studies have investigated pre-competition anxiety (PCA), the research examining how to promote the development of self-reflection and resilience in order to regulate PCA is limited. This study has three aims: to examine group differences age, gender, sport level, and exercise duration in (PCA), self-reflection and resilience; to test the relationships between PCA, self-reflection, and resilience; and to determine whether self-reflection and resilience can predict PCA. The included 82 male and 105 female adolescent Chinese table tennis player (ages 12–19). SPSS 25.0 software has used to drive ANOVA, Pearson correlations and regression analysis. The main result was that Pearson correlations demonstrated the strongest relationship between PCA, self-reflection, and resilience. The regression analysis model proved that self-insight predicted cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence; interpersonal assistance and emotional control predicted self-confidence; and emotional control predicted cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety. The result of this study were consistent with those of previous studies: there was a significant relationship between PCA, self-reflection and resilience when using the Chinese Adolescent Resilience Scale, and there were some differences in the test of group differences. However, this study uncovered new evidence that interpersonal assistance and emotional control can predict PCA. Further research should focus on cross-cultural differences in the process of cultivating athlete self-reflection and resilience.

No Relationship between Lean Mass and Functional Asymmetry in High-Level Female Tennis Players.

The relationship between lean mass and functional asymmetry in terms of their magnitude and direction was examined in 22 high-level female tennis players (20.9 ± 3.6 years). Lean mass of both upper and lower extremities was examined using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry. Functional asymmetry was assessed using a battery of field tests (handgrip strength, seated shot-put throw, plate tapping, single leg countermovement jump, single leg forward hop test, 6 m single leg hop test, and 505 change of direction (time and deficit)). Paired sample t-tests compared the dominant (overall highest/best (performance) value) against the non-dominant value (highest/best (performance) value of the opposing extremity). Linear regressions were used to explore the relationship between lean mass and functional asymmetry magnitudes. Kappa coefficients were used to examine the consistency in direction between the extremity displaying the highest lean mass value and the extremity performing dominantly across tests. Significant asymmetry magnitudes (p < 0.05) were found for all upper and lower extremity lean mass and functional values. No relationship was apparent between lean mass and functional asymmetry magnitudes (p-value range = 0.131–0.889). Despite finding perfect consistency in asymmetry direction (k-value = 1.00) for the upper extremity, poor to fair consistency (k-value range = −0.00–0.21) was found for the lower extremity. In conclusion, lean mass and functional asymmetries should be examined independently.

Factors determining the level of high qualification and sports achievements in long-term training of female tennis players (diagnostic aspect)

Table tennis is a complex analytical sport with versatile technique, various specific solutions, which has long outgrown a period of mass enthusiasm. For athletes to achieve sports results, general physical, special and psychological training is now necessary. Modern requirements to the level of special, technical, tactical and physical training of female athletes, to the entire system of their training are extremely high. In this regard, the importance of specialized factors in the sports training of female tennis players increases significantly. In the long-term training of the highly qualified female tennis players, a number of important stages is provided for, which in their structure have specific tasks and a meaningful orientation of their implementation. The task of implementing classification standards of the competitive activity of female tennis players is a complex training process that should be carried out not only taking into account general psychological and pedagogical laws, but also specific scientifically based methods and techniques of pedagogical influence, the organization of this type of activity and an individual approach.