Is ACWR Related to Injury Risk in Junior Tennis Players?

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury incidence is often underestimated in tennis players, who are considered as subjects conventionally less prone to knee injuries. However, evaluation of the preactivation of knee stabilizer muscles by surface electromyography (sEMG) showed to be a predictive value in the assessment of the risk of ACL injury. Therefore, this proof-of-concept study aimed at evaluating the role of visual input on the thigh muscle preactivation through sEMG to reduce ACL injury risk in tennis players. We recruited male, adult, semiprofessional tennis players from July to August 2020. They were asked to drop with the dominant lower limb from a step, to evaluate—based on dynamic valgus stress—the preactivation time of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and medial hamstrings (MH), through sEMG. To highlight the influence of visual inputs, the athletes performed the test blindfolded and not blindfolded on both clay and grass surfaces. We included 20 semiprofessional male players, with a mean age 20.3 ± 4.8 years; results showed significant early muscle activation when the subject lacked visual input, but also when faced with a less-safe surface such as clay over grass. Considering the posteromedial–anterolateral relationship (MH/RF ratio), tennis players showed a significant higher MH/RF ratio if blindfolded (22.0 vs. 17.0% not blindfolded; p < 0.01) and percentage of falling on clay (17.0% vs. 14.0% in grass; p < 0.01). This proof-of-principle study suggests that in case of absence of visual input or falling on a surface considered unsafe (clay), neuro-activation would tend to protect the anterior stress of the knee. Thus, the sEMG might play a crucial role in planning adequate athletic preparation for semiprofessional male athletes in terms of reduction of ACL injury risk.

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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.

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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

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Musculoskeletal injury profiles in professional Women’s Tennis Association players

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2017-097865 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (11) ◽

pp. 723-729 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jodie G Dakic ◽

Belinda Smith ◽

Cameron M Gosling ◽

Luke G Perraton

Keyword(s):

Injury Risk ◽

Musculoskeletal Injury ◽

Risk Identification ◽

Injury Incidence ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Exposure Data ◽

Prevention Programmes ◽

Professional Tennis ◽

Type Of Injury ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveThe physical demands of professional tennis combined with high training/match loads can contribute to musculoskeletal injury. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the type, location and severity of injuries sustained during a 12-month tennis season in a cohort of professional female tennis players on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour and (2) prospectively investigate associations between training/match loads and injury.Methods52 WTA players competing at the Australian Open (2015) consented to participate. Injuries reported to WTA medical staff were classified using tennis-specific guidelines. Individual match exposure data were collected for all matches played at international level in 2015 and expressed per 1000 hours of WTA competition matchplay (MP) and 1000 match exposures (MEs). Variables associated with the number of injuries in the season and loss of time from competition were identified with regression analysis.ResultsThe injury incidence rate (IR) was 56.6 (95% CI: 49.5 to 64.6) per 1000 hours of MP or 62.7 (95% CI: 54.8 to 71.6) per 1000 MEs, although the IR of injuries resulting in loss of time from competition was lower (12.8 per 1000 hours of MP, 92 injuries/100 players). Lower limb (51%) and muscle/tendon (50%) injuries were the most common site and type of injury. Common specific injury site subcategories were the thigh, shoulder/clavicle, ankle and knee in order of frequency. Various measures of match load were significantly associated with injury.ConclusionThis study prospectively analysed injury profiles, including severity across an entire season of professional tennis, and investigated the relationship between training/match loads and injury. These data may help medical professionals develop injury risk identification and prevention programmes.

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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.

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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.

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