Match activity and physiological load during a clay-court tennis tournament in elite female players

The aim of this study was to determine the match activity and physiological demands of women's tennis during a 3-day clay-court tennis tournament. The activity profile of eight players was determined by filming each competitive match with video cameras. Metabolic-perceptual measurements--blood samples and individual ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)--were taken while the players were sitting during permitted changeover breaks in play. The activity profile of the players was as follows: strokes per rally, 2.5 +/- 1.6; rally duration, 7.2 +/- 5.2 s; rest time between rallies, 15.5 +/- 7.3 s; effective playing time, 21.6 +/- 6.1%; work-to-rest ratio, 1:2.1. Blood lactate concentration [2.2 +/- 0.9 mmol x l(-1) (n = 50) vs. 2.2 +/- 0.7 mmol x l(-1) (n = 48)] and RPE values [12.2 +/- 2.4 (n = 57) vs. 12 +/- 2.3 (n = 57)] were not significantly different (P = 0.65-0.78) between service and return games. The results highlight the importance of taking these factors (i.e. activity patterns and physiological profile) into account when planning training strategies for competitive females players. As such, tennis training regimes should be adapted to the specific demands imposed by match-play in female players on a clay-court surface.     

Match activity and physiological load during a clay-court tennis tournament in elite female players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the match activity and physiological demands of women's tennis during a 3-day clay-court tennis tournament. The activity profile of eight players was determined by filming each competitive match with video cameras. Metabolic-perceptual measurements–blood samples and individual ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)–were taken while the players were sitting during permitted changeover breaks in play. The activity profile of the players was as follows: strokes per rally, 2.5 ± 1.6; rally duration, 7.2 ± 5.2 s; rest time between rallies, 15.5 ± 7.3 s; effective playing time, 21.6 ± 6.1%; work-to-rest ratio, 1:2.1. Blood lactate concentration [2.2 ± 0.9 mmol · l^?1 (n = 50) vs. 2.2 ± 0.7 mmol · l^?1 (n = 48)] and RPE values [12.2 ± 2.4 (n = 57) vs. 12 ± 2.3 (n = 57)] were not significantly different (P = 0.65–0.78) between service and return games. The results highlight the importance of taking these factors (i.e. activity patterns and physiological profile) into account when planning training strategies for competitive females players. As such, tennis training regimes should be adapted to the specific demands imposed by match-play in female players on a clay-court surface.     

The effect of ball compression on the match-play characteristics of elite junior tennis players

The purpose of this article was to examine the effect of equipment scaling, through the modification of tennis ball compression, on elite junior tennis players (aged 10 years) within a match-play context. The two types of ball compressions that were compared were the standard compression (the normal ball) and 75% compression (termed the modified ball). Ten boys and 10 girls participated in the study. Participants were stratified into pairs based on their Australian Age Ranking and gender. Each pair played two two-set matches: one match with standard compression balls and one match with modified balls. The characteristics of each match were analysed and compared. The results showed that the use of the modified ball increased rally speed, allowed players to strike the ball at a lower (more comfortable) height on their groundstrokes and increased the number of balls played at the net. Ball compression had no effect on the relative number of winners, forehands, backhands, first serves in and double faults. The results are discussed in relation to skill acquisition for skilled junior tennis players.     

乒乓球运动员赛前心理训练探索

针对我国乒乓球运动员的赛前心理训练问题，采用查阅文献、资料，专家调访和问卷调查等方法进行了探索性研究。结果表明：８名现役巅峰期乒乓球运动员在以往接受或运用心理训练方法上有较大的差异。论文阐明了８种适合于我国巅峰期乒乓球运动员赛前心理训练运用的训练方法     

Mutual point-winning probabilities (MPW): a new performance measure for table tennis

ABSTRACT

We propose a new performance measure for table tennis players: the mutual point-winning probabilities (MPW) as server and receiver. The MPWs quantify a player’s chances to win a point against a given opponent, and hence nicely complement the classical match statistics history between two players. These new quantities are based on a Bradley-Terry-type statistical model taking into account the importance of individual points, since a rally at 8–2 in the first set is less crucial than a rally at the score of 9–9 in the final set. The MPWs hence reveal a player’s strength on his/her service against a given opponent as well as his/her capacity of scoring crucial points. We estimate the MPWs by means of maximum likelihood estimation and show via a Monte Carlo simulation study that our estimation procedure works well. In order to illustrate the MPWs’ versatile use, we have organized two round-robin tournaments of ten respectively eleven table tennis players from the Belgian table tennis federation. We compare the classical final ranking to the ranking based on MPWs, and we highlight how the MPWs shed new light on strengths and weaknesses of the players.     

Analysis of the distances covered and technical actions performed by professional tennis players during official matches

The purpose of this study was to analyse the physical and technical performances of professional tennis players during official matches. The trajectories of eight players were obtained during matches, using an automatic tracking method. The distances covered and technical performances were analysed for the first and second sets. The athletes covered (mean ± standard deviation) a total of 1702.4 ± 448.2 m in the first set, 1457.6 ± 678.1 m in the second set and 3160.0 ± 880.1 in the entire match. No differences were found between the sets for the physical variables (lateral and forward displacements, distance covered per rally, per game and per set, and the percentage of time spent in each range of velocity). However, the distances covered by the athletes during the rallies in which they were serving (median = 5.2; interquartile range (IQR) = 6.7 m) were statistically smaller than when they were returning (median = 6.2; IQR = 7.7 m). Forehand ground stroke proficiency decreased from the first (mean ± standard deviation: 75.2 ± 4.11%) to the second set (mean ± standard deviation = 65.5 ± 14.3%). In conclusion, tennis players did not present reduced physical performance from the first to the second set.     

Metabolic impact of a soccer match on female players

The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic effect of a female soccer match in elite and sub-elite teams. Blood samples were taken (24 h before, immediately after and 18 h after official soccer matches) to determine haematological, electrolytic and hormonal variables, as well as the levels of cell damage and oxidative stress in 14 elite and 14 sub-elite players. Our results show increases in white blood cell count (P < 0.001) and the percentage of neutrophils (P < 0.001), and decreases in the percentage of lymphocytes (P < 0.05), eosinophils (P < 0.001), monocytes (P < 0.001) and basophils (P < 0.05) immediately post-match. Increases were also found in lactate dehydrogenase activity (P < 0.001), uric acid (P < 0.001), albumin (P < 0.001), total antioxidant status (P < 0.001) and free testosterone levels (P < 0.01). Creatine kinase activity significantly increased 18 h post-match (P < 0.01) and the concentrations of several ions, glucose and proteins were found to be altered immediately post-match. Overall, our results show that playing a soccer match exerts specific metabolic effects on female players, resulting in muscle damage, oxidative stress and biochemical and hormonal variations. On the basis of some interesting correlations, we also suggest that exercise-induced cell breakdown may enhance antioxidant capacity of the soccer players.     

Energetic demand and physical conditioning of table tennis players. A study review

Table tennis is a racket sport characterised by an intermittent movement profile, including short rallies interspersed with short breaks. In contrast to other racket sports, information is lacking regarding the: (i) physiological responses during table tennis matches and training; and (ii) practical recommendations for enhancing aerobic and anaerobic performance in table tennis by improving cardio-metabolic and neuro-muscular fitness, anthropometry and nutritional strategies. Therefore, this review article attempts to narratively provide an overview of the physiology of table tennis by describing the metabolic mechanisms underlying match play and outlining a framework for practical recommendations for improving cardio-metabolic and neuro-muscular fitness, anthropometry as well as nutritional strategies. A second aim was to stimulate future research on table tennis and to point out study limitations in this context. In general, the most important finding is that the rally duration is short at around 3.5s, with a longer rest time of around 8–20s, resulting in an effort-rest ratio ranging from 0.15 to 0.22 in official matches and energetic demands during match relatively low. Future studies should focus on the relationship between energetic demand and table tennis performance with a view to predicting performance in table tennis using physiological parameters.     

Division,result and score margin alter the physical and technical performance of elite wheelchair tennis players

ABSTRACT

This study determined the physical and technical demands of elite wheelchair tennis (WT) match-play, how the demands differed between divisions (Men, Women, Quad) and the effect that set result and score margin had on these demands. Seventeen WT players were monitored during a singles competition. Physical measures of performance were analysed using an indoor tracking system and inertial measurement units. Technical measures of performance were examined using video analysis. Physical measures of performance differed by division (Men > Women > Quad) for most parameters. Rallies were longer during Men’s (P = 0.027) and Women’s (P = 0.004) matches compared to Quad’s and fewer shots were hit off 2 bounces in Men’s matches compared to Women’s and Quad’s (P ≤ 0.026). High-speed activity (HSA) increased during losing sets (P = 0.043). Most physical measures of performance increased by moderate to large effects during sets with a small score margin (≤3 games differential). Mean speed and HSA were similar during losing sets, regardless of margin, but decreased (large effects) when winning by a large margin. This study demonstrated the physical and technical demands that elite WT players need to be prepared for and how situational factors can influence these demands.     

中外男子乒乓球运动员技战术发展趋势的研究——以第50届世乒赛男团比赛为例

采用文献资料法、录像观察法、三段指标评估法对第50届世乒赛团体赛中外男子乒乓球运动员的技战术进行统计,分析中外男运动员在本次比赛中的技战术特点,在此基础上合理推测乒乓球技战术未来的发展趋势。结果表明:我国运动员在发抢段和接抢段具有显著优势,而国外运动员相持能力较强;未来乒乓球技战术将朝着更加积极、更加主动、更加全面的方向发展。我国运动员在今后的训练中要在保持优势的基础上重点加强相持能力,使特长技术更加特长,在比赛中采取策略争取更多的机会发挥特长技术,同时相持能力要进一步提高。     

中外优秀女子网球运动员竞技年龄特征比较分析

采用文献资料法、数理统计法、逻辑归纳法等研究方法对中外20名优秀女子网球运动员的竞技年龄特征进行比较分析,发现:中外优秀女子网球运动员在启蒙训练年龄上的差异并不显著;但是外国优秀女子网球运动员转为职业选手的年龄较早,所以其成为职业选手的年限也较长。中国优秀女子网球运动员之间的现役年龄的分布较为离散,中国十名优秀女子网球运动员的现役年龄差异大于国外十名优秀女子网球运动员的现役年龄差异;并且中国优秀女子网球运动员达到最高竞技水平的年龄比国外优秀女子网球运动员达到最高竞技水平的年龄晚。     

An analysis of competition in young tennis players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the temporal structure of individual tennis play on hard courts in adolescence. Thirty-two national-level tennis players (16 females, 16 males) participated in the study (age 15.6±0.9 years, weight 61.7±1.4 kg, height 1.70±0.14 m). All participants played an official competition on hard courts and with the same type of balls. Games were recorded for later analysis of total play time, real play time, and resting time, both in absolute values and as a percentage of total time. The average duration of a point and the number of strokes per rally were also determined. Results showed no differences based on gender, with a total play time of 105.00±20.00 min, real play time of 31.50±5.83 min, and resting time of 73.5±8.50 min. The ratio of work to resting time was 1:2.7, the number of strokes per rally was 5.12±0.17, and a point lasted an average of 9.08±0.60 s. Our results show the importance of keeping in mind the technical evolution of players at this age, with the goal of reaching maximum athletic performance. The adolescent players showed approximately the same number of strokes per rally, but with a greater average duration compared with adult elite athletes.     

浙江省优秀男子乒乓球运动员专项素质聚类分析综合评价研究

通过对浙江省优秀男子乒乓球运动员 10项专项身体素质指标的测试 ,运用聚类分析找出影响运动员专项身体素质的典型指标。对典型指标进行单因素评价和多因素综合评价 ,进行评价模型研究 ,研制出 1套适合浙江省优秀男子乒乓球运动员的评价模型 ,为浙江省优秀男子乒乓球运动员的科学训练和选材评价提供了科学、客观的依据。     

浅谈网球运动的体能训练

网球比赛是由许多个短时间的剧烈运动和休息组成的运动.良好的身体素质是掌握网球技战术的基础,也是在当代网球比赛中充分发挥最佳技战术水平,夺取最后胜利的保障.网球运动属于技能主导类项目,具有速度快、比赛时间长、移动范围大的特点.技术动作主要靠挥臂击球时上肢、肩带和腰腹的肌肉爆发力.在比赛中抽击速度快,要求运动员对来球全面观察,迅速做出判断并想出对策,然后迅速移动步法,调整身体重心和击球位置,进行挥拍击球.这些项目特征决定了运动员必须具备速度、耐力、力量、灵活柔韧性素质.     

A shot taxonomy in the era of tracking data in professional tennis

Shots are an essential part of the language of tennis yet little is known about the distinct types of shots in the professional game. In this study, we build a taxonomy of shots for elite tennis players using tracking data from multiple years of men’s and women’s matches at the Australian Open. Our taxonomy is constructed using model-based multi-stage functional data clustering, an unsupervised machine learning approach. Among 270,023 men’s and 178,136 women’s shots, we found 13 distinct types of serves to both the Ad and Deuce court for male players and 17 and 15 types to the Ad and Deuce for female players. More variety was found among serve returns and rally shots compared to the serve; with less variety on the backhand than forehand. There was also more overlap in the physical characteristics of groundstroke shots between male and female players than on serve. Shot type was strongly associated with winning points and shots in the highest speed and lowest net clearance categories tended to be the most effective. This data-driven dictionary of shots provides a framework for analysis of elite player performance, characterizing playing style, and designing more representative practice.     

我国优秀女子网球单打运动员技战术运用特征的研究

文章通过对我国优秀女子网球单打选手与世界优秀女子网球单打选手的比赛录像分析,进一步诊断与评价我国优秀女子网球单打选手的技战术运用特征。结果表明,我国优秀女子网球单打选手的一发成功率较高,得分率较差,发球的攻击性不足;非受迫性失误较高,接发球得分率和破发点较差。发球抢攻技术、接发球抢攻技术以及上网技术的使用率比较低。得分方式有17.8%是靠主动得分,45.3%是靠对手的非受迫性失误得分,36.9%是靠对手的受迫性失误得分;失分的主要方式为非受迫性失误。     

The microcycle of inflammation and performance changes after a basketball match

Abstract

Basketball incorporates intense eccentric muscle activity that induces muscle microtrauma and an inflammatory response. This study investigated time-dependent inflammatory and performance responses during a weekly microcycle after a basketball match. Twenty elite-standard players underwent a trial that comprised a match followed by a 6-day simulated in-season microcycle. The trial was preceded by a control condition that did not have a match. Blood sampling and tests of maximal-intensity exercise performance and muscle damage occurred before each condition, immediately after the match and daily thereafter for 6 consecutive days. The match induced marked increases in heart rate, lactate, ammonia, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids and triglycerides. Performance deteriorated for 24–48 h after the match, whereas knee flexor and extensor soreness increased for 48 and 24 h post-match, respectively. Inflammatory (leukocytes, C-reactive protein, creatine kinase activity, adhesion molecules, cortisol, uric acid and cytokines) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, oxidised glutathione, antioxidant capacity, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) markers increased for ~24 h and subsided thereafter. Reduced glutathione declined for 24 h after exercise. These results suggest that a basketball match elicits moderate and relatively brief (~24–48 h) inflammatory responses, is associated with marked but short-lived performance deterioration, but is less stressful than other intermittent-type sports.     

Epidemiology of tennis injuries: An eight-year review of Davis Cup retirements

Tennis practice, especially at elite levels, may place players at risk for debilitating musculoskeletal injuries. The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiological pattern of retirements due to medical conditions sustained by tennis players during Davis Cup matches in the 2006–2013 period. All uncompleted matches due to a medical condition (injuries and illnesses) occurred in the above-mentioned competition were collected from the official source, registered and analysed according to published guidelines. The overall incidence of match retirements was 1.66% (12/719). The injury rate was 6.05/1000 playing hours; and 6.64/1000 match exposures. Musculotendinous lesions were the most common type of injury (66.66%). The incidence of lower-limb injuries was higher than upper-limb and trunk lesions. The incidence of retired matches due to medical conditions was higher in hard courts than in clay courts (2.97% and 0.90%, respectively; p = 0.04), while the median value of inactivity of injuries was 32.0 days (range 3–297). In conclusion, the incidence of retirements due to medical conditions in Davis Cup matches was low supporting the assumption that elite tennis is a low-risk sport activity. Findings provided scientific evidences of injury patterns among male professional tennis players and may contribute to conduct better injury prevention strategies.     

Effects of rule changes on physical demands and shot characteristics of elite-standard men’s squash and implications for training

The physical demands and rally characteristics of elite-standard men’s squash have not been well documented since recent rule changes (scoring and tin height). This information is needed to design optimal training drills for physical conditioning provided here based on an analysis of movement and shot information. Matches at the 2010 (n = 14) and 2011 (n = 27) Rowe British Grand Prix were analysed. Rallies were split into four ball-in-play duration categories using the 25th (short), 75th (medium), 95th percentiles (long) and maximum values. Cohen’s d and chi-squared tests of independence evaluated effects of rally and rule changes on patterns of play. The proportion of long, middle and short shots was related to the duration of the rally with more shots played in the middle and front of the court in short rallies (phi = 0.12). The frequencies of shots played from different areas of the court have not changed after the adoption of new rules but there is less time available to return shots that reflect the attacking nature of match play for elite-standard men players. Aspiring and current elite-standard players need to condition themselves to improve their ability to cope with these demands using the ghosting patterns presented that mimic demands of modern match play.     

中外优秀男子网球运动员竞赛成败归因的研究

对网球运动成败归因的科学研究不仅为丰富运动训练学、运动心理学理论提供实证依据,对网球运动训练的科学化也具有借鉴意义。采用质性研究法以男子网球运动员在大赛后的访谈材料为研究对象,对当前优秀男子网球运动员竞赛成败归因进行详细的研究、分析。结果表明,优秀男子网球运动员的成败基本归因是一致的。从自由节点和相应的总参考点数来看,国内、外优秀男子网球运动员对于失败归因不同。从相应节点比例来看,成功时,国外运动员的归因更加细致和多元化,而失败时,国内男子网球运动员的归因更多。