scholarly journals Using Smart Sensors to Monitor Physical Activity and Technical–Tactical Actions in Junior Tennis Players

Author(s):  
José María Giménez-Egido ◽  
Enrique Ortega ◽  
Isidro Verdu-Conesa ◽  
Antonio Cejudo ◽  
Gema Torres-Luque

The use of smart devices to obtain real-time data has notably increased in the context of training. These technological tools provide data which monitor the external load and technical–tactical actions related to psychological and physical health in junior tennis players. The purpose of this paper is to monitor technical–tactical actions and physical activity during a current tennis competition in the Green stage using a Zepp Tennis Smart Sensor 2. The participants were 20 junior tennis players (under 10 years of age), with an average age of 9.46 years. The total number of strokes (n= 21,477) during 75 matches was analyzed. The study variables were the following aspects: (a) number of strokes, (b) ball impact in the sweet spot; (c) racket speed; (d) ball spin; (e) calories burned; and (f) match time. The current system of competition, based on knockout, does not meet the World Health Organization’s recommendations for daily physical activity time. Players mainly used flat forehands with a lack of variability in technical–tactical actions which did not meet the current learning opportunity criteria of comprehensive methodologies. The competition system in under-11 tennis should be adapted to the players’ characteristics by improving the variability and quantity of practice.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0252650
Author(s):  
Janina Fett ◽  
Nils Oberschelp ◽  
Jo-Lâm Vuong ◽  
Thimo Wiewelhove ◽  
Alexander Ferrauti

Purpose According to the official rules of the International Tennis Federation, players have to serve alternately from two different positions: the deuce (right, D) and the ad court (left, AD) side. This study aimed to compare body and ball kinematics of flat serves from both service sides. Methods In a controlled, semi-court laboratory setting, 14 elite male junior players served eight flat first serves to a target field directed to the receiver’s body from both service positions in a matched and counterbalanced order. An 8-camera-Vicon-System was used to capture the 3D-landmark trajectories. Results The mean service velocity was found to be similar on both sides (D: 151.4 ± 19.8 vs. AD: 150.5 ± 19.4 km/h), while multiple characteristics of the serve and ball kinematics differed significantly (p < .05). At starting, the front-foot angle relative to the baseline (D: 39.7±17.6° vs. AD: 31.1±17.4°) and lateral distance between the feet (D: 16.3 ± 12.9 cm vs. AD: 26.2 ± 11.9 cm) were significantly different. During the service, upper torso range of motion from maximum clockwise rotation until impact was significantly greater on the deuce court (D: 130.5 ± 19.8° vs. AD: 126.7 ± 21.1°). This was especially pronounced in foot-back technique players. Further, differences in the lateral ball impact location (D: 30.0 ± 24.1 cm vs. AD: 10.3 ± 23.3 cm) were observed. Conclusions Changing the service side affects the serve and ball kinematics in elite junior tennis players. Our results underline biomechanical differences regarding the starting position (feet and upper torso) as well as the movement and ball kinematics which could be relevant for skill acquisition, injury prevention and performance enhancement.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaak Jürimäe

For The Year that Was—2016, I have selected three papers in the area of growth, maturation, and exercise during youth. The year of 2016 was a successful year and it was not an easy task to highlight the most significant publications in this specific area of pediatric exercise science. The first paper has been chosen because it provides, for the first time, the growth and maturational status of elite junior tennis players belonging to the top eight players in the National rankings in various ages and compares against population norms. It appeared that individual differences in growth and maturation contribute towards the selection of elite junior tennis players in both sexes, with a bias towards these athletes who are comparatively tall and heavy for their age already in younger ages. The second paper is a methodological paper and was selected because it provides a unique perspective on the use of different tracking coefficients to investigate short-term tracking of cardiorespiratory and performance-related physical fitness among adolescents during growth and maturation. Specifically, three distinct statistical approaches were applied in this paper: auto-correlations, mulitilevel modeling corrected tracking values for time-varying covariates and Cohen`s Kappa in order to identify group and individual tracking as well as individuals whose trajectories are unstable across time. This methodological paper demonstrated the importance of the selection of the statistical approach to monitor and describe short-term tracking of cardiorespiratory and performance-related physical fitness variables in adolescents during growth and maturation. The third selected paper provided some evidence that the consequence of physical activity during childhood can be far reaching as physical activity might not only promote health benefits but also have positive effects on adulthood earnings.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5254
Author(s):  
Joana Ferreira Hornestam ◽  
Thales Rezende Souza ◽  
Fabrício Anício Magalhães ◽  
Mickäel Begon ◽  
Thiago Ribeiro Teles Santos ◽  
...  

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 709-716
Author(s):  
Slavica Ostojić Krsmanović ◽  
Ljiljana Crnčević Radović

The modern way of life means a quick pace that carries a tremendous amount of stress, irregular diet and lack of physical activity, which poses a health risk. For this reason, the World Health Organization recommends physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day which can be, among others, achieved using the pool. Only safe swimming pool water can provide users with all the benefits of its use, which will lead to overall health improvement. Although microbiological hazards pose the greatest danger to the health, chemical risks, as a result of unhygienic user behavior, should not be neglected since they can lead to a reduced effect of disinfection. The presence of urine in the pool water leads to a chemical reaction between nitrogen compounds from the urine and chlorine-based disinfectant, which creates chloramines which are the prerequisite for the occurrence of by-products of disinfection. As a result of their presence, the pool users may experience irritation of respiratory tract, skin and eyes. Our study was designed to determine the presence of urination during the use of the pool and examine the regularity of using the toilet before entering the pool. The survey was conducted on 1,506 respondents, divided into two age groups. In the age group of 12 to 15 years there were 380 respondents and in the age group of 18 to 25 years, 1,126 participants. Data of our study show that 27.0% of respondents had at least one episode of urination inside the pool. At least one episode of urination inside the pool had nearly one third of respondents aged 12 to 15 years (30.2%) and every fourth respondent in age group 18 to 25 years (25.9%). Of the total number of respondents in our research, 59.5% considered that the use of the toilet before entering the pool is very important hygienic measure. Hygienic significance of this measure identified 41.5% of the respondents in age group 12 to 15 years and 65.7% of respondents aged 18 to 25 years. In relation to the regularity of use, the results of our survey show that 50.5% of respondents, or half of our respondents, regularly use the toilet before entering the pool. In the age group 12 to 15 years hygienic measure regularly applied 35.7% of respondents. A significantly higher percentage of regular use of this hygienic measure, but still not sufficiently high, was recorded in the age group of 18 to 25 years (55.5%). The results of our study lead to conclusion that urination inside the pool is present as a form of unhygienic behavior of pool users, which represents a public health problem. Since the younger age group, from 12 to 15 years, showed a higher degree of risk-taking behavior, fundamental and continuous education on the importance of implementation of hygiene measures when using the pool is necessary. Code of conduct in the context of sports facilities, which include the swimming pools, should start since an early age. Learning about forms of behavior in public places and public sports facilities begins in the family and later continues throughout schooling. Health education is a part of the general culture of every individual, regardless of gender, age, education and standard.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-140
Author(s):  
Alfonso Mate ◽  
Claudia Reyes-Goya ◽  
Álvaro Santana-Garrido ◽  
Carmen M. Vázquez

: Healthy lifestyle habits spanning from preconception to postpartum are considered as a major safeguard for achieving successful pregnancies and for the prevention of gestational diseases. Among preconception priorities established by the World Health Organization (WHO) are healthy diet and nutrition, weight management, physical activity, planned pregnancy and physical, mental and psychosocial health. Most studies covering the topic of healthy pregnancies focus on maternal diet because obesity increases the risks for adverse perinatal outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus, large for gestational age newborns, or preeclampsia. Thus, foods rich in vegetables, essential and polyunsaturated fats and fibre-rich carbohydrates should be promoted especially in overweight, obese or diabetic women. An adequate intake of micronutrients (e.g. iron, calcium, folate, vitamin D and carotenoids) is also crucial to support pregnancy and breastfeeding. Moderate physical activity throughout pregnancy improves muscle tone and function, besides decreasing the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabesity (i.e. diabetes associated with obesity) and postpartum overweight. Intervention studies claim that an average of 30 min of exercise/day contributes to long-term benefits for maternal overall health and wellbeing. Other factors such as microbiome modulation, behavioural strategies (e.g. smoking cessation, anxiety/stress reduction and sleep quality), maternal genetics and age, social class and education might also influence the maternal quality of life. These factors contribute to ensure a healthy pregnancy, or at least to reduce the risk of adverse maternal and foetal outcomes during pregnancy and later in life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zan Gao ◽  
Jung Eun Lee ◽  
Daniel J. McDonough ◽  
Callie Albers

The December 2019 COVID-19 outbreak in China has led to worldwide quarantine, as recommended by local governments and the World Health Organization. Particularly affected are older adults (i.e., those aged ≥ 65 years) who are at elevated risk for various adverse health outcomes, including declines in motor ability and physical activity (PA) participation, increased obesity, impaired cognition, and various psychological disorders. Thus, given the secular increases in the older adult population, novel and effective intervention strategies are necessary to improve physical activity behaviors and health in this population. Virtual reality (VR)-integrated exercise is a promising intervention strategy, which has been utilized in healthcare fields like stroke rehabilitation and psychotherapy. Therefore, the purpose of this editorial is to synthesize recent research examining the efficacy and effectiveness of VR exercise in the promotion of favorable health outcomes among the older adults. Results indicate the application of VR exercise to facilitate improved physical outcomes (e.g., enhanced motor ability, reduced obesity), cognition and psychological outcomes. VR exercise has also been observed to be an effective intervention strategy for fall prevention in this population. Future research should employ more rigorous research designs to allow for a more robust quantitative synthesis of the effect of VR exercise on the preceding outcomes to elucidate which type(s) of VR-based PA interventions are most effective in promoting improved health outcomes among older adults. Findings from this study will better inform the development of technology-savvy PA programs for wellness promotion in older adults who practice social distancing and exercise from home under the unprecedented global health crisis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-96
Author(s):  
Hsin-Yen Yen ◽  
Hao-Yun Huang

Aims: Wearable devices are a new strategy for promoting physical activity in a free-living condition that utilizes self-monitoring, self-awareness, and self-determination. The main purpose of this study was to explore health benefits of commercial wearable devices by comparing physical activity, sedentary time, sleep quality, and other health outcomes between individuals who used and those that did not use commercial wearable devices. Methods: The research design was a cross-sectional study using an Internet survey in Taiwan. Self-administered questionnaires included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, and World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale. Results: In total, 781 participants were recruited, including 50% who were users of wearable devices and 50% non-users in the most recent 3 months. Primary outcomes revealed that wearable device users had significantly higher self-reported walking, moderate physical activity, and total physical activity, and significantly lower sedentary time than non-users. Wearable device users had significantly better sleep quality than non-users. Conclusion: Wearable devices inspire users’ motivation, engagement, and interest in physical activity through habit formation. Wearable devices are recommended to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior for promoting good health.


Author(s):  
Sergi Blancafort Alias ◽  
César Cuevas-Lara ◽  
Nicolás Martínez-Velilla ◽  
Fabricio Zambom-Ferraresi ◽  
Maria Eugenia Soto ◽  
...  

The World Health Organization has developed the Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) strategy, a program based on the measurement of intrinsic capacity (IC) as “the composite of all physical and mental attributes on which an individual can draw”. Multicomponent interventions appear to be the most effective approach to enhance IC and to prevent frailty and disability since adapted physical activity is the preventive intervention that has shown the most evidence in the treatment of frailty and risk of falls. Our paper describes the development of a multi-domain group-based intervention addressed to older people living in the community, aimed at improving and/or maintaining intrinsic capacity by means of promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition, and psychological wellbeing in older people. The process of intervention development is described following the Guidance for reporting intervention development studies in health research (GUIDED). The result of this study is the AMICOPE intervention (Aptitude Multi-domain group-based intervention to improve and/or maintain IC in Older PEople) built upon the ICOPE framework and described following the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) guidelines. The intervention consists of 12 face-to-face sessions held weekly for 2.5 h over three months and facilitated by a pair of health and social care professionals. This study represents the first stage of the UK Medical Research Council framework for developing and evaluating a complex intervention. The next step should be carrying out a feasibility study for the AMICOPE intervention and, at a later stage, assessing the effectiveness in a randomized controlled trial.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097275312199850
Author(s):  
Vivek Podder ◽  
Raghuram Nagarathna ◽  
Akshay Anand ◽  
Patil S. Suchitra ◽  
Amit Kumar Singh ◽  
...  

Rationale: India has a high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which can be lowered by regular physical activity. To understand this association, recent population data is required which is representative of all the states and union territories of the country. Objective: We aimed to investigate the patterns of physical activity in India, stratified by zones, body mass index (BMI), urban, rural areas, and gender. Method: We present the analysis of physical activity status from the data collected during the phase 1 of a pan-India study. This ( Niyantrita Madhumeha Bharata 2017) was a multicenter pan-India cluster sampled trial with dual objectives. A survey to identify all individuals at a high risk for diabetes, using a validated instrument called the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS), was followed by a two-armed randomized yoga-based lifestyle intervention for the primary prevention of diabetes. The physical activity was scored as per IDRS (vigorous exercise or strenuous at work = 0, moderate exercise at home/work = 10, mild exercise at home/work = 20, no exercise = 30). This was done in a selected cluster using a mobile application. A weighted prevalence was calculated based on the nonresponse rate and design weight. Results: We analyzed the data from 2,33,805 individuals; the mean age was 41.4 years (SD 13.4). Of these, 50.6% were females and 49.4% were males; 45.8% were from rural areas and 54% from urban areas. The BMI was 24.7 ± 4.6 kg/m 2 . Briefly, 20% were physically inactive and 57% of the people were either inactive or mildly active. 21.2% of females were found physically inactive, whereas 19.2% of males were inactive. Individuals living in urban localities were proportionately more inactive (21.7% vs. 18.8%) or mildly active (38.9% vs. 34.8%) than the rural people. Individuals from the central (29.6%) and south zones (28.6%) of the country were also relatively inactive, in contrast to those from the northwest zone (14.2%). The known diabetics were found to be physically inactive (28.3% vs. 19.8%) when compared with those unaware of their diabetic status. Conclusion: 20% and 37% of the population in India are not active or mildly active, respectively, and thus 57% of the surveyed population do not meet the physical activity regimen recommended by the World Health Organization. This puts a large Indian population at risk of developing various NCDs, which are being increasingly reported to be vulnerable to COVID-19 infections. India needs to adopt the four strategic objectives recommended by the World Health Organization for reducing the prevalence of physical inactivity.


Author(s):  
Adel Alizadeh ◽  
Reza Negarandeh ◽  
Fahimehe Bagheri Amiri ◽  
Zahra Yazdani

Abstract Objectives This systematic and meta-analysis review was conducted to determine the status of Iranian children and adolescents’ physical activity. Content All the related articles which were published in the major databases, including Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Magiran, SID from the beginning of 2010 to the end of 2019, were reviewed by researchers. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was also used to evaluate the quality of articles. Moreover, I 2 index and chi-square were used to assess the heterogeneity between the results. Summary 490 articles were found as a result of the search in the selected international and local databases, where finally, 10 articles were included into the meta-analysis after the elimination of the duplicated articles and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results indicated that 29.5% of the girls were considered active according to WHO criteria (16.1–42.8: 95% CI) and also 20.5% of the boys (7.3–33.7: 95% CI). Outlook Overall, this study’s findings showed that a large percentage of Iranian children and adolescents do not achieve the level of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization. This can lead to undesirable consequences for this group of population that is considered as the human capital of any country; consequently, it seems necessary to take basic measures at the micro and macro levels in order to reduce such problems in the society.


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