A descriptive profile of age-specific knee extension flexion strength in elite junior tennis players

This study aimed to investigate the effects of knee flexion during the preparation phase of a serve on the tennis serve performance, using inertial sensors. Thirty-two junior tennis players were divided into two groups based on their maximum knee flexion during the preparation phase of serve: Smaller (SKF) and Greater (GKF) Knee Flexion. Their racket velocity, racket height, and knee extension velocity were compared during the tennis serve. Inertial sensors tracked participants’ shank, thigh, and racket motions while performing five first, flat, and valid serves. Knee flexion was analysed during the preparation phase of serve, knee extension velocity after this phase, racket velocity just before ball impact, and racket height at impact. Pre-impact racket velocity (mean difference [MD] = 3.33 km/h, p = 0.004) and the knee extension velocity (MD = 130.30 °/s, p = 0.012) were higher in the GKF than SKF; however, racket impact height was not different between groups (p = 0.236). This study’s findings support the importance of larger knee flexion during the preparation phase of serve-to-serve performance. This motion should be seen as a contributor to racket velocity.

Download Full-text

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TRADITIONAL ACUPUNCTURE POINT, ST. 36 AND OMURA's ST.36 POINT (TRUE ST. 36) NEEDLING ON THE ISOKINETIC KNEE EXTENSION & FLEXION STRENGTH OF YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS

Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research ◽

10.3727/036012907815844129 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 71-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kemal Nuri Ozerkan ◽

Bulent Bayraktar ◽

Turker Sahinkaya ◽

Omer Can Goksu ◽

Ilker Yucesir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acupuncture Point ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Flexion Strength

Download Full-text

PETTLEP imagery and tennis service performance: an applied investigation

Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity ◽

10.1515/jirspa-2019-0013 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Nafih Cherappurath ◽

Masilamani Elayaraja ◽

Dilshith A. Kabeer ◽

Amila Anjum ◽

Paris Vogazianos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Training Session ◽

Performance Outcomes ◽

Service Performance ◽

Control Group ◽

Specific Training ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Imagery Training ◽

Before And After ◽

Junior Tennis

AbstractTennis is one of the most popular and widely played sports enjoyed by players of different age groups and genders as a profession as well as a mode of recreation. A novel method, PETTLEP imagery combines both conventional and non-conventional style of training of an athlete and improves one’s performance. This study aimed to analyze the tennis service performance of junior tennis players based on PETTLEP imagery training. Forty-four junior male tennis players (Mage=13.22 years, SD=0.42) were selected for the study. The investigator handed over the MIQ-R questionnaire to all the participants in which they scored 16 and above points as per previous research. The participants were equally divided (n=11) into three experimental groups (E1, E2, and E3) and a control group. The service performance outcomes of all the players were compared before and after a training session. The three experimental groups were assigned with service-specific training, service-specific training combined with PETTLEP imagery training, and PETTLEP imagery training alone, respectively, for three days per week for 12 weeks. They were tested on their service accuracy based on the International tennis number (ITN) manual on-court assessment test. The data were assessed for normality and analyzed using non-parametric methods to reveal main effects (each training method alone) as well as to calculate the combined effect of PETTLEP and service-specific training. Certain significant improvements in tennis service were observed with service-specific training alone. Though it marginally outperformed the PETTLEP imagery method, the most improved services were observed with both PETTLEP and service-specific training utilized together. This implies an additive effect when both methods are used together.

Download Full-text

Effect of Long-Term Unilateral Activity on Bone Mineral Density of Female Junior Tennis Players

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research ◽

10.1359/jbmr.1998.13.2.310 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 310-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 195

Author(s):

Heidi Haapasalo ◽

Pekka Kannus ◽

Harri Sievänen ◽

Matti Pasanen ◽

Kirsti Uusi-Rasi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Mineral Density ◽

Bone Mineral ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Junior Tennis

Download Full-text

Acute Sleep Restriction Affects Sport-Specific But Not Athletic Performance in Junior Tennis Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2020-0390 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Jacopo A. Vitale ◽

Matteo Bonato ◽

Lorenzo Petrucci ◽

Giorgio Zucca ◽

Antonio La Torre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Athletic Performance ◽

Test Session ◽

Sleep Restriction ◽

Test Procedures ◽

Ability Test ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Individual Level ◽

Testing Procedures ◽

Junior Tennis ◽

Left And Right

Purpose: Little is known about the effect of sleep restriction (SR) on different domains of athletes’ physical performance. Therefore, the aim of this randomized, counterbalanced, and crossover study was to evaluate the effect of acute SR on sport-specific technical and athletic performance in male junior tennis players. Methods: Tennis players (N = 12; age 15.4 ± 2.6 y) were randomly allocated to either a sleep-restriction condition (SR, n = 6), where they experienced acute sleep restriction the night before the test session (≤5 h of sleep), or to a control condition (CON, n = 6), where they followed their habitual sleep–wake routines. Testing procedures included 20 left and right serves, 15 forehand and backhand crosscourt shots, and a repeated-sprint-ability test (RSA). The accuracy of serves and shots was considered for further analysis. One week later, players of SR joined CON, and players of CON experienced SR, and all test procedures were repeated. Results: Significant decrease in the accuracy of right (−17.5%, P = .010, effect size [ES] = 1.0, moderate) and left serve (−14.1%, P = .014, ES = 1.2, large), crosscourt backhand (−23.9%, P = .003, ES ≥ 2.0, very large), and forehand shot (−15.6%, P = .014, ES = 1.1, moderate) were observed in SR compared to CON, while RSA was similar in both conditions. Conclusion: Coaches and athletes at the team and individual level should be aware that 1 night of SR affects sport-specific but not athletic performance in tennis players.

Download Full-text

The Relationship between Observable Self-Talk and Competitive Junior Tennis Players' Match Performances

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.16.4.400 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 400-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

Judy L. Van Raalte ◽

Britten W. Brewer ◽

Patricia M. Rivera ◽

Albert J. Petitpas

Keyword(s):

Sport Psychology ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Sport Performance ◽

Cognitive Factors ◽

Competitive Sport ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Self Talk ◽

Junior Tennis ◽

The Relationship ◽

Broad Interest

In sport psychology, there is broad interest in cognitive factors that affect sport performance. The purpose of this research was to examine one such factor, self-talk, in competitive sport performance. Twenty-four junior tennis players were observed during tournament matches. Their observable self-talk, gestures, and match scores were recorded. Players also described their positive, negative, and other thoughts on a postmatch questionnaire. A descriptive analysis of the self-talk and gestures that occurred during competition was generated. It was found that negative self-talk was associated with losing and that players who reported believing in the utility of self-talk won more points than players who did not. These results suggest that self-talk influences competitive sport outcomes. The importance of "believing" in self-talk and the potential motivational and detrimental effects of negative self-talk on performance are discussed.

Download Full-text