Tennis Training Research Articles

Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in tennis players: risk factors.

Tennis practice involves repetitive stresses through several strokes and movements during several hours. These factors can lead to injuries on musculoskeletal structures. This study aims to determine injury epidemiology in tennis players, as well as their type, location, mechanism of injury and risk factors. The sample was constituted by 218 tennis athletes, aged 9 to 72, being 156 (71.6%) male. The measurement instrument was a questionnaire concerning characterization of the population, and aspects related to the modality and injuries. 86 athletes (39.4%) referred having an injury in a 12-month period, totalizing 107 injuries, and 76 athletes (34.9%) in a 6-month period, totalizing 95 injuries. There were 3.49 injuries per 1000 hours of tennis training. The most common injuries were joint injuries (29.5%), following by tendinopathy (22.1%), located in the ankle (20%) and wrist (15.8%), both occurred by service (23.2%). Tennis athletes who trained three times or more per week had 2.29 higher probability of injury (95% CI: 1.28-4.13; P=0.006), those who trained more than 4.5 hours per week had 2.04 more chances (95% CI: 1.16-3.60; P=0.013), those who were elite tennis players had 2.81 more chances (95% CI: 1.41-5.59; P=0.003), and those who trained on a clay court more frequently, had 4.11-fold higher probability of injury (95% CI: 1.46-11.55; P=0.007). In the analyzed sample, data revealed a high prevalence of injuries in tennis athletes, being joint injuries the most common type of injuries, and the most affected body area were the ankle and the wrist.

Reflection of positive and negative professional qualities as a criterion for the success of training tennis players

Reflection of positive and negative professional qualities as a criterion for the success of training tennis players

Video-based tactic training in tennis

The goal of the current study was the adaptation of the method of video-based tactics training, successfully established in other sports, to tennis for 10–14 yr old tournament players and to assess the effects with a field experiment. The concept for video-based tactics training is based on the qualitative method for video-based game analysis with reconstruction and interpretation of own match scenes in real competition in order to link match and training. In combination with findings in the fields of embodiment, mental training and expertise studies a cognitive perceptive link was created offcourt followed by the integration in the holistic Game-Based-Approach oncourt. With respect to highest possible practical relevance a field experiment with an experimental and control group of 12 players each was conducted. The experimental group participated in a 12-week-program devoted to video-based tactics training, the control group continued the regular training without video. In a pre- and post-experiment test three types of variables were assessed: First, players‘ ability in interpreting tactical behavior, second players‘ tactical behavior in official matches and finally psychological characteristics. Players‘ ability in interpreting tactical behavior was measured using the specifically developed video-based tactics test VITT, players‘ tactical behavior in official matches was analyzed by the specifically developed match-tactics test MATT. Results showed significantly stronger improvements in the cognitive ability in interpreting tactical behavior and the tactical behavior in real matches in the experimental group. The new tests VITT and MATT deliver as instruments of performance analysis complex information about tactical behavior.

Energy Contributions of Short-distance Running with Change of Direction in Tennis Baseline Practice

Short-distance running with change of direction (SR-COD) is one of the baseline practice regulary performed in tennis training, but the energy contributions of this practice is relatively lacking. PURPOSE: To investigate the energy contributions of tennis SR-COD, with the emphasis on the duration, distance, and frequency. METHODS: 16 collegiate male tennis players (22.2 ± 1.7yrs, 175 ± 5cm, 69.2 ± 6.1kg) volunteered to this study. Two duration (1 and 2min), two distance (1 and 2min) and two frequency (20 and 30 stroke/min) were utilized, i.e. 1min-2m-20stroke/min, 2min-2m-20stroke/min, 1min-4m-20stroke/min and 1min-2m-30stroke/min. A portable spirometric system (K4b2, Cosmed, Italy) was utilized to measure the ventilatory activities. Capillary blood from earlobe was collected and analyzed with blood lactate analyzer (Biosen C-line, EKF, Germany) prior to and post the test. The aerobic (Aer), anaerobic lactic (Anl), anaerobic alactic (Anal) energy contributions were calculated with the method based on the accumulated oxygen uptake and blood lactate during the practice, as well as the fast part of the oxygen uptake kinetics during the recovery, respectively. The relative energy contributions from the coresponding three pathways were also calculted as Aer%, Anl%, and Anal%. RESULT: The energy contributions of SR-COD was Anal 37.4~40.1kJ (32.1~41.7%), Anl 15.1~33.5kJ (14.8~30.4%) and Aer 37.8~100.8kJ (33.9~61.9%), respectively. With the increase of duration, distance and frequency, there was no significant change in Anl, there was significant increase in Anal and Aer (P<0.05, except Aer when increasing frequency). Further, %Anal decreased with the increase of duration, distance, and frequency (P<0.05). %Anl enhanced significantly with the increased distance and frequency (P<0.05), but declined insignificantly with increased duration (P<0.05). %Aer increased significantly with longer duration (P<0.05), but reduced with longer distance and higher frequency (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Longer duration of SR-COD mainly increases the stimulation on Aers system, while longer distance and higher frequency of SR-COD mainly increases the stimulation on Anl energy. These findings should be taken into account when designing the SR-COD training program in tennis.

Аналіз результатів анкетування тренерів щодо удосконалення техніко-тактичної підготовленості на етапі попередньої базової підготовки в тенісі настільному

Мета: виявити думку тренерів щодо шляхів формування стилю гри в техніко-тактичній підготовці спортсменів на етапі попередньої базової підготовки в тенісі настільному. Матеріал та методи: теоретичний аналіз і узагальнення даних науково-методичної літератури, анкетування, методи математичної статистики. В дослідженні взяли участь 31 тренер України з тенісу настільного (другої, першої та вищої категорії). Результати: Результати проведеного анкетування з тренерами, які працюють з тенісистами дозволили визначити думку тренерів, що для формування стилю гри в тенісі настільному на етапі попередньої базової підготовки. Встановлено необхідність враховувати індивідуальні показники фізичного розвитку, рівня техніко-тактичної та фізичної підготовленості та психофізіологічних здібностей. Висновки: Правильне врахування індивідуальних особливостей юних спортсменів дозволить скоротити період навчання та підвищити ефективність змагальної діяльності тенісистів на етапі попередньої базової підготовки в тенісі настільному.

Table Tennis Training Results with Robot: Spin Rate and Hitting Speed in Forehand Loop-Drives

Table Tennis Training Results with Robot: Spin Rate and Hitting Speed in Forehand Loop-Drives

The impact of a rich media platform to table tennis learners’ performance and participation motivation

ABSTRACT Based on the HTML5 video element, WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks) and MySQL, we developed a Rich Media Platform for Table Tennis learning (RMPTTL). This platform can support online motion analysis. Meanwhile, social agents (peers, coaches and parents) can leave comments to influence players’ participation motivation. A mixed experimental design was followed, whereby researchers conducted pre-tests and post-tests to assess the effect of using RMPTTL on players’ performance and participation motivation. Participants were thirty 7–12 year old schoolchildren from a table tennis training school in Wuhan, China. They were randomly assigned to two groups, one of which used the RMPTTL (Group R) and the other did not (Group C). The intervention lasted 8 weeks. A series of one-way analyzes of covariance (ANCOVAs) were conducted. Analysis of the data illustrated that: (1) differences in mean scores of advanced skill (alternative forehand and backhand drives) and participation motivation between the two teaching groups were significantly different; (2) there was no significant difference in mean scores of basic table tennis skills (forehand drive or backhand drive) between the two groups. The findings conclusively support the effectiveness of using RMPTTL as an adjunct to standard coaching techniques.

Playing AVI During Tennis Training Process

Playing AVI During Tennis Training Process

Ranking in young tennis players—a study to determine possible correlates

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of physical, functional, experiential, and training-related characteristics with ranking in a cohort of competitive U12 tennis players. A total of 119 (boys = 68, girls = 51) nationally ranked Turkish players aged 9.6–12.3 years (10.9 ± 0.7) were measured on stature, sitting height, body mass, skinfolds, grip strength, and agility. Age at peak height velocity (APHV), percentage of predicted adult stature (PAS%), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentages (BF%) and growth status were calculated. Weekly training hours and experiences in regular tennis training and tournament play were recorded. Compared to boys, girls were found to be significantly taller and more advanced in maturation. There were no significant relationships between growth, APHV, BMI, BF% and rankings. In girls, PAS% was significantly correlated with ranking. Results revealed that variables regarding experience, training volume, and motor performance were significantly associated with ranking in both boys and girls. Age to start regular training (r = −0.540) for the girls and weekly training volume (r = −0.489) for the boys were the most correlated variables. These results were confirmed by logistic regression models. The findings highlight the possible positive consequences of early participation in regular tennis training and tournaments, rather than growth and body composition, on the ranking of U12 tennis players in both genders.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOME PSYCHOLOGICAL INDICATORS FOR STUDENTS FROM THE UNWE TABLE TENNIS AND MASS AEROBICS CLASSES

Our university`s sports program is aimed at maintaining the high mental and physical fitness of the students. It also serves to monitor the overall physical condition and development as well as the psychophysical capacities of the students from the non-specialized higher schools and the relation between the different types of practiced sports and the observed changes in some specific personal qualities: the degree of concentration and stability of attention.[ 7]. The problem related to investigating attention is becoming ever more relevant and the very essence of the attention process is based on such components as concentration and stability. [1,4]. Table tennis is an entertaining, generally accessible sport which can be practiced by people of all ages. Mass aerobics is pastime that involves multiple steps and movements performed continuously in a certain sequence and different intensities , in the rhythm of the music. The tools, employed in classical aerobic gymnastics include general physical exercises, a variety of steps in coordination with hand movements as well as exercises targeted at different body muscle groups and stretching exercises. [6]. Playing table tennis and practicing aerobics has a proven positive impact on the individual`s physical development, speed, agility and endurance of the movements and serves to enhance the functional capabilities of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. In addition, it has a positive effect on the psychological development: stability and mental concentration, quickness of mind and willpower plus the modeling of behavioral patterns of higher morality and the ability to control one`s emotions and self-control.[9] It is for these reasons that at the beginning and the end of the 2017/2018 academic year we have decided to make a comparison between the development of some psychological indicators found in our female students who are actively playing table tennis and mass aerobics as a part of the curriculum in the "Physical Education and Sports" discipline at the University of National and World Economy. On the basis of the results we have found that the methods of table tennis and aerobics training are adequate and contribute to the more effective education of the students in the physical education and sports education process at the University of National and World Economy. Table tennis students are better at both levels of concentration and stability.

Seasonal Changes in Performance Related Characteristics and Biochemical Marker Variability of Adolescent Table Tennis Players

Background: There is a shortage of longitudinal surveys in highly trained adolescent table tennis athletes reporting typical changes in performance related, hematological, and biochemical parameters. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to: (1) examine yearly variations of performance related parameters, and (2) report the variability of selected hematological and biochemical markers utilized to ascertain health status, and training influences in a group of young Arab table tennis athletes. Methods: Data were collected from ten male adolescent players with a mean age of 14.2 ± 1.3 years and a mean table tennis training experience of 6 years. Physical and biochemical measures were carried out at three important time points throughout the training season: a baseline measure (PRE - September); a mid-season (transition) measure (MID - February); an end of season measure (END - May). Results: Performance related parameters tended to significantly improve over time (P = 0.05), with lowest values displayed during PRE-measure. Hematocrit (P = 0.05), serum testosterone (P = 0.01), mean cell volume (MCV) (P = 0.001) and reticulocytes (RET) (P = 0.017) significantly increased at the END training period compared to PRE. Moreover, 25(OH)D levels (P = 0.001) showed a drop during MID to then significantly increase at the END whilst sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG; P = 0.005) decreased at the END period compared to MID. Conclusions: In conclusion, based on our findings, changes in certain physical parameters and, hematological and biochemical markers, take place during the training period. Therefore, coaches, sports scientists and nutritionists should take into consideration these fluctuations and plan and alter their training programs accordingly.

Rich lamellar crystal baklava-structured PZT/PVDF piezoelectric sensor toward individual table tennis training

Real-time monitoring of interaction between ball and racket can provide the extremely important information for high quality guidance of individual table tennis training. However, the existing visual monitoring system is hard to reflect the specific interaction force and accurate hit position. Here, we design a self-powered rich lamellar crystal baklava-structured PZT/PVDF piezoelectric sensor for real-time monitoring of table tennis training and the scalable sports. This unique baklava-structured piezocomposite could be massively manufactured by a facile two step method of nonsolvent induced phase separation and hot-press process. As a result, the as-developed sensor exhibits preeminent sensitivity (6.38 mV/N) and ultrafast response time (21 ms). On this basis, we made a smart table tennis racket embedded with 6 × 6 units, which could real-timely fetch the hit location and contact force, then it could provide evaluation and individual guidance for the athletes training. Admittedly, this work not only opens a new way for real-time monitoring of impact location and force in table tennis training beyond current visual detection system, but also paves a new prospect for artificial intelligence electronics toward smart sports.

Statistic Analysis on Techniques Applied by Nadal in 2017 French Open

Focusing on the techniques applied by Rafael Nadal in 2017 French Open, the study adopts the video observation, document literature, mathematical statistics and contrastive analysis to analyze the techniques of Nadal statistically in order to explore the characteristics and rules of his techniques, helping improve the technical level of the amateur tennis sport and providing a theoretical basis for tennis teaching and training in China.

Investigation and Analysis on Sports Fatigue of Tennis Specialized Class Students in Wuhan Institute of Physical Education

Since the 1980s, many scholars have studied fatigue from physiological and biochemical aspects. Exercise fatigue is a physiological phenomenon caused by exercise stimulation. It reflects the tolerance of the body to exercise stimulation. It is a positive process for the body to regulate its own activities and has an alarming effect on the body's activities. Because of its appearance, it can reduce the intensity of exercise, or even stop the movement, in order to prevent excessive consumption of substances in the body and damage to the body function. The high intensity and high load of modern tennis training and competition will inevitably lead to sports fatigue. Energy consumption and lactic acid accumulation in muscle and blood are the main causes of tennis players' fatigue. How to eliminate fatigue quickly is the prerequisite for athletes to adapt to high-intensity training and competition. Starting from the characteristics and main diagnostic methods of tennis sport fatigue, combining with the principles of sport fatigue recovery, this paper will provide constructive suggestions for tennis athletes sport fatigue physical recovery by using the methods of pedagogy, nutrition, psychology, medicine and biology. Fatigue judgment and recovery is an important part of modern sports, and also an important factor affecting training effect and competition results. Aiming at the characteristics of athletic tennis players' fatigue, this paper investigates and analyses the sports fatigue and recovery of tennis players in the special tennis class of Wuhan Institute of Physical Education by using the methods of literature, expert interview, questionnaire and mathematical statistics. By using the theory of sports physiology, the mechanism, diagnosis and recovery methods of exercise physiology were discussed preliminarily. In order to improve tennis players' performance, improve the quality of training and grasp the law of training.

PLAYING ACTIVE VIDEO GAMES WHILE IN A TENNIS TRAINING PROCESS: A NEW TRAINING TOOL OR A HANDICAP FOR CHILDREN?

Aim: The purpose of this pilot study was to quantify the effect of a continued active video games (AVG) playing on the tennis forehand and backhand technique development.&#x0D; Methods: Altogether 24 tennis players (7 – 9 year olds) were randomly divided in two different groups, both involved in a 12-week tennis training program (twice a week for an hour). The participants in the experimental group received an additional twice a week (20-minute) AVG Virtua Tennis 4 game intervention at the end of each regular tennis training hour, while the participants in the control group received no additional intervention. Pre- and post-AVG intervention, the Tennis Rating Score for Children scale (TRSC) was applied to detect tennis training-related changes that occur in each specific stroke.&#x0D; Results: Our results at the post-test show that participants in the experimental group did not significantly improved in one element (TRSC12; p = 0,317) in the forehand stroke and two (TRSC10; p = 0,157 and TRSC12 p = 0,157) in the backhand. The control group significantly improved in all the fifteen evaluated elements in both the forehand and backhand stroke. The experimental group had a higher effect size in all the kinetic chain section in both the forehand and backhand stroke compared to the control. The same happens for the TRSC7 (point of contact – height).&#x0D; Conclusion: Prolonged AVG playing seems to improve visual attentions skills (perception of a moving object) in young tennis players, giving them the opportunity to be able to prepare themselves for the oncoming ball sooner as compared to their control counterparts. From the other perspective, AVG were shown to negatively affect correct players positioning, especially at the beginning and at the end of a stroke.&#x0D; Keywords: exergames, tennis technique, visual attention skills

Nonlinear Pedagogy and the implications for teaching and training in table tennis

Nonlinear Pedagogy and the implications for teaching and training in table tennis

Application for Impact Position Evaluation in Tennis Using UWB Localization

Precise and reliably tracking of players’ location during the action or during the game is important in many sports. In tennis the important information for the game analysis is the position of the player within the court at the moment of each impact; when the racquet hits the ball. We are designing a system for precise and reliable detection, logging, and analysis of the impact position during the tennis practice and training. We designed a prototype system that includes a number of different technologies. For the determination of the impact position we use UWB radio technology and for the detection of the impact time we use wireless inertial sensor devices. The accuracy of the UWB devices is verified by the professional high precision optical tracking system Qualysis. The results of the field tests confirm the usability of the system that helps the coach with organization and conduction of the training practice by providing accurate analysis results that are very hard to acquire otherwise.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training vs. On-Court Tennis Training in Young Tennis Players.

Kilit, B and Arslan, E. Effects of high-intensity interval training vs. on-court tennis training in young tennis players. J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 188-196, 2019-This study aimed to examine the effects of 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. 6 weeks of on-court tennis training (OTT) on the psychophysiological responses, performance responses, and technical scores of young tennis players. Twenty-nine young male tennis players (aged 13.8 ± 0.4 years) were divided into HIIT (n = 14) and OTT groups (n = 15). Both groups trained for the same total training duration with passive rest in each session. Pre-test and post-test included maximum oxygen consumption ((Equation is included in full-text article.)max), sprinting, jumping, 400-m running time, a tennis-specific technical test, and the t-drill agility test. The training interventions resulted in similar improvements in (Equation is included in full-text article.)max responses (HIIT: +5.2%, d = 1.36 [large effect]; OTT: +5.5%, d = 1.50 [large effect]). Both training protocols increased jumping and sprinting performances significantly from pre-testing to post-testing (p < 0.05, d values ranging from 0.40 to 1.10). The OTT group showed significantly higher performance responses in terms of the agility test performance and technical scores (p < 0.05, d = ranging from 0.77 to 0.88 [moderate effect]) compared with the HIIT group. By contrast, the HIIT group exhibited significantly higher performance responses in terms of the 400-m running time (p < 0.05, d = 1.32 [large effect]). Our results showed that tennis-specific on-court drills might be a more effective training strategy to improve agility and technical ability with greater physical enjoyment, whereas HIIT may be more appropriate for speed-based conditioning in young tennis players.

Playing tennis matches on clay court surfaces are associated with more perceived enjoyment response but less perceived exertion compared to hard courts

Background: A few studies have shown that different types of court surfaces can have different effects on tennis match performance in different age groups, however, no studies have researched on tennis match performance responses in young tennis players. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different court surfaces on psychophysiological responses, time-motion and match characteristics of young tennis players. Methods: Twenty-six young male tennis players (age 13.0 ± 0.3 years, body height 158 ± 8 cm, body mass 48 ± 7 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. Heart rate was monitored along with total distance covered in four different speed zones-walking, low-intensity running, moderate-intensity running and high-intensity running, using two portable multivariable integrated 10 Hz GPS monitoring devices over twenty-six outdoor tennis matches; ratings of perceived exertion and enjoyment level were also determined at the end of the matches. Variables describing the characteristics of the matches determined from video recordings were: strokes per rally, rally duration, effective playing time, work-to-rest ratio and rest time between rallies. Differences between hard and clay courts were assessed by a paired t-test. Results: The results showed that clay court surfaces induced significantly more perceived enjoyment scores (29.4 ± 2.8 vs. 26.0 ± 3.2) with lower perceived exertion level (13.4 ± 2.7 vs. 14.4 ± 2.9) compared to hard courts. Moreover, a clay court surface is also more effective at improving physiological responses, time-motion and match characteristics compared to hard court. Conclusions: If a coach strives to improve their young tennis players' tennis-specific performance with greater physical enjoyment, clay court surfaces should be specially used in their tennis training season.

Effect of Table Tennis Training on Reaction Times of Down-syndrome Children

Effect of Table Tennis Training on Reaction Times of Down-syndrome Children