The importance of the International Tennis Federation's junior boys' circuit in the development of professional tennis players

The relationship between junior boys' tennis success, as measured by a top 20 International Tennis Federation's Junior Circuit (ITFJC) ranking, and subsequent ranking accomplishments in professional men's tennis is discussed. The names, countries, and birthdates of all players to achieve a top 20 ITFJC boys' year-end ranking from 1992 to 1998 were recorded. The progress of these players through the professional ranks was then tracked to the end of 2004. Results indicate that 91% of top 20-ranked boys achieved a professional men's ranking, while a stepwise regression analysis revealed junior ranking (JR) to be a predictor of future, professional ranking (beta = 0.232, r(2) = 0.054, p < 0.05). A regression equation [predicted professional rank = 78.17 + 6.31*(JR)] accounted for a significant amount of variance in professional ranking. For male players, therefore, the achievement of a top 20 junior ranking appears to be a reasonable yardstick for future, professional success. The type of surface upon which junior players develop their games was also shown to influence professional ranking highs, with play on clay courts or a combination of clay and hard courts helping to produce higher, professionally ranked players than hard court play alone (p< or = 0.01).     

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.     

对我国青少年优秀男子乒乓球运动员打法发展现状的调查研究

通过对四城会乒乓球比赛参赛男选手的握拍方法打法类型的调查,结合以往的有关资料报道,对我国现阶段青少年优秀男运动员的打法现状作了较深入的分析和研究。     

The Hit & Turn Tennis Test: An acoustically controlled endurance test for tennis players

Abstract

This study was conducted to validate and evaluate the “Hit & Turn Tennis Test”, an acoustically progressive on-court endurance test for tennis players. Ninety-eight competitive tennis players (53 males, 45 females) of different age groups participated in the study. For validation, the adult male players completed three Hit & Turn tests, one on a clay court and two on a carpet surface, a tennis-specific ball machine test and an incremental treadmill run in a randomized order. A stronger correlation between maximal performance (r = 0.81, P < 0.01) and maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.96, P < 0.01) was observed between the Hit & Turn test and the ball machine test, than between the Hit & Turn test and the treadmill test. For test–retest, we found a significant correlation between maximal performance on the same (r = 0.83, P < 0.01) and on different surfaces (r = 0.74, P < 0.01). During test evaluation, maximal performance was higher in males than in females (P < 0.01) and increased by consecutive age group in boys (P < 0.01) but not in girls (P = 0.97). In conclusion, Hit & Turn maximum test performance can be recommended as a valid and reliable indicator for tennis-specific endurance.     

From endurance to power athletes: The changing shape of successful male professional tennis players

The aim of the present study was to identify whether the relative shape and size characteristics of elite male tennis players have changed over time, and in addition whether any anthropometric parameters characterise the more successful players in Grand Slam tournaments. The height and body mass of the players qualifying for the first round in all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments during the period 1982–2011 was obtained, and successful players defined arbitrarily as those reaching round 3 or beyond. Body mass index (BMI) and the reciprocal ponderal index (RPI) were used as our measures of body shape. Multilevel modelling was used to explore the trend over time using non-linear polynomials. The results suggest that the body shape of elite tennis players has changed over time, with a non-linear (cubic polynomial regression model) increase in BMI and a similar non-linear decline in the RPI. BMI, reflecting greater muscle mass rather than greater adiposity, has emerged as an important factor associated with success, identified by a significantly positive (steeper) “successful player”-by-“year” interaction term. The evidence that the RPI of elite tennis players has also decreased over time, together with a significantly negative “successful player”-by-“year” interaction term, suggests that a more linear (ectomorphic) body shape is a less important factor in terms of success. These results suggest that elite male tennis players are becoming more power trained athletes as opposed to endurance athletes, with greater muscle mass being an important factor associated with success in all Grand Slam tournaments.     

Gross motor coordination in junior tennis players

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the gross motor coordination performance levels of junior tennis players and (2) to analyse the effects of age and gender. Participants were junior male (n = 50) and female (n = 51) tennis players aged 6–14. Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) was used to assess the gross motor coordination of the participants. Results revealed that none of the participants performed lower than normal level in motor coordination. Besides, 40.6% of the participants performed above normal level. No gender differences were found on all subtests of KTK and also on total motor quotient. Although older players performed better on each test than their younger counterparts for the raw scores, no significant age effect was observed on motor quotient scores among different age groups.     

Competitive achievement may be predicted by executive functions in junior tennis players: An 18-month follow-up study

This study evaluates whether high levels of executive function predict competition results 18 months later in junior tennis players. Forty junior tennis players (20 girls, 20 boys; 9–15 years old) who regularly participate in prefecture tennis tournaments were recruited. All participants underwent executive function evaluations (the Design Fluency Task) in July 2015 and their prefecture junior rankings in August 2015 and February 2017 were recorded. As a result, after controlling for age and gender, the future ranking (February 2017) was significantly predicted by performance in the Design Fluency Task (β = -.30, p = .02; ΔR² = .08), whereas the prediction for August 2015 rank as the baseline was not significant (β = -.19, p = .17; ΔR² = .03). After controlling for age, gender, and ranking in the baseline, the change in ranking was significantly predicted by performance in the Design Fluency Task (β = -.14, p = .02; ΔR² = .02). This suggests that childhood executive function may play a significant role in success later in life. This study highlights how executive function predicts future success in a specific sport; as such, supporting the development of executive function may contribute to higher competition results.     

The core musculature in male prepubescent tennis players and untrained counterparts: a volumetric MRI study

The effects of exercise on the core musculature have not been investigated in prepubescents. The main purpose of the present study was to determine the volume and degree of asymmetry of rectus abdominis, obliques and transversus abdominis, quadratus lumborum, iliopsoas, gluteus and paravertebralis muscles in prepubescent tennis players and in untrained boys. The muscle volume was determined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 7 male prepubescent tennis players and 10 untrained controls (mean age 11.0 ± 0.8 years, Tanner 1–2). After accounting for height and body weight as covariates, the tennis players had 14–34% greater volume than the controls in all the muscles analysed (P < 0.05) except in paravertebralis, dominant quadratus lumborum and non-dominant gluteus, which had similar volumes in both groups (P = NS). Compared to controls, the tennis players displayed a greater degree of asymmetry in quadratus lumborum and rectus abdominis (3% vs. 15%, P < 0.01 and 8% vs. 17%, P = 0.06, respectively). The level of asymmetry of obliques and transversus abdominis, iliopsoas, gluteus and paravertebralis muscles was similar in both groups (P = NS). In conclusion, tennis playing at prepubertal ages induces a selective hypertrophy of the core musculature and exaggerates the degree of asymmetry of quadratus lumborum and rectus abdominis compared to untrained boys.     

Upper extremity bone mineral content asymmetries in tennis players: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to examine the magnitude of upper extremity bone mineral content (BMC) asymmetries in tennis players. Furthermore, the influence of sex (male versus female versus mixed), chronological age (juniors: < 18 years; adults: 18–39 years and seniors: ≥ 40 years) and starting age (early starters: < 14 years and late starters: > 18 years) on these asymmetries were examined. Two databases were searched for scientific articles that examined upper extremity BMC in tennis players. Pooling of the individual study effect sizes was conducted using the random-effects model. Three subgroup analyses were performed based on sex, chronological age and starting age. Out of the 15 included studies 24 effect sizes were extracted resulting in a significant difference in BMC value between the dominant and nondominant upper extremity of the tennis players (Standardised Mean Difference: 0.85 [95% CI: 0.67–1.03]). The three subgroup analyses all showed medium to strong effect sizes and significant intergroup differences. To conclude, BMC was significantly higher in the dominant upper extremity compared to the nondominant upper extremity in tennis players. Nevertheless, the influence of training volume and playing experience on these asymmetries are yet to be examined.     

Growth and maturity status of elite British junior tennis players

Growth and maturation impact the selection, development and progression of youth athletes. Individual differences in the growth and maturity may afford a performance advantage, clouding coaches and practitioners’ perceptions regarding current ability and future potential. This may result in the exclusion of talented, yet less physically gifted athletes. Participants were 91 male (n = 47) and female (n = 44) elite British Junior tennis players, 8–17 years of age (12.5 ± 1.9 years). Height and body mass were measured and compared to growth charts; hand-wrist radiographs were taken. Skeletal age (SA) was estimated with the Fels method and contrasted to chronological age (CA). Mean height and body mass of individual players ranged between the 50th and 90th centiles for age and sex. Females were advanced in SA relative to CA (0.3–0.89 years.) from 8 years. Males were average to delayed in maturation from 8 to 12 years, but advanced in SA from 14 to 16 years (0.75–1.23 years). Individual differences in growth and maturation appear to contribute towards the selection of elite junior tennis players, with a bias towards males and females who are advanced in maturation and comparatively tall and heavy for their age. This has important implications for talent identification and development.     

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.     

Differences in ball speed and accuracy of tennis groundstrokes between elite and high-performance players

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to identify and compare ball speed and hitting accuracy of forehand and backhand groundstrokes between ATP professionals (elite) and high-performance youth players when shots were played cross-court and down the line to a target square. Six elite and seven high-performance tennis players volunteered to participate in the study. A Doppler-radar device and a digital video camera, operating at 120 frames per second, were used to measure ball speed and accuracy of forehand and backhand groundstrokes in the respective situation (cross-court and down the line). The results of 1040 measured groundstrokes indicate that the ball speed of the forehand and the backhand ground stroke was higher in the elite group when analysing (1) all valid shots, (2) the six fastest shots, and (3) the six most accurate shots (all P < 0.05). In addition, all players achieved a higher forehand speed compared with their backhand when balls were directed cross-court (P < 0.01). The participants demonstrated similar ability when considering accuracy of their groundstrokes (P > 0.05). However, a group difference for accuracy was identified when considering the six fastest forehand shots (P<0.05), and the forehand cross-court stroke was played more accurately than the backhand cross-court stroke by both groups (valid shots and six most accurate shots, P<0.05). Moreover, there was no evidence that players who impacted the ball faster were any less accurate than those who impacted the ball more slowly. Analyses for participants actually revealed a negative correlation between ball speed and mean radial error (accuracy) for the backhand down the line (r= ? 0.77, P<0.01). According to the results of this study, ball speed seems to be the determining factor that separates elite from sub-elite tennis players.     

网球专选班学生和网球运动员注意品质的比较研究

注意是体育教学和训练中对运动技能监控和调节及全面提高教学和训练质量的一个值得十分重视的问题.运用实验测试的方法对网球专选班学生和网球运动员在不同运动年限和性别上注意品质的差异进行了研究,并对网球专选班学生和网球运动员的注意品质进行了比较分析.     

关于国际乒乓球比赛接受报名工作的改革设想

本交通过对目前国际乒乓球比赛接受报名工作的研究,找出了存在的问题和规律,确定了切实可行的参赛选手名单的规范化方案及多字段名单,有一定的理论与实践意义。     

The effect of recovery duration on running speed and stroke quality during intermittent training drills in elite tennis players

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the recovery duration in intermittent training drills on metabolism and coordination in sport games. Ten nationally ranked male tennis players (age 25.3±3.7 years, height 1.83±0.8 m, body mass 77.8±7.7 kg; mean ±s _x ) participated in a passing-shot drill (baseline sprint with subsequent passing shot) that aimed to improve both starting speed and stroke quality (speed and precision). Time pressure for stroke preparation was individually adjusted by a ball-machine and corresponded to 80% of maximum running speed. In two trials (T₁₀, T₁₅) separated by 2 weeks, the players completed 30 strokes and sprints subdivided into 6 2 5 repetitions with a 1 min rest between series. The rest between each stroke-and-sprint lasted either 10 s (T₁₀) or 15 s (T₁₅). The sequence of both conditions was randomized between participants. Post-exercise blood lactate concentration was significantly elevated in T₁₀ (9.04±3.06 vs 5.01±1.35 mmol·l^-1, P ? 0.01). Running time for stroke preparation (1.405±0.044 vs 1.376±0.045 s, P ? 0.05) and stroke speed (106±12 vs 114±8 km·h^-1, P ? 0.05) were significantly decreased in T₁₀, while stroke precision - that is, more target hits ( P ? 0.1) and fewer errors (P ? 0.05) - tended to be higher. We conclude that running speed and stroke quality during intermittent tennis drills are highly dependent on the duration of recovery time. Optimization of training efficacy in sport games (e.g. combined improvement of conditional and technical skills) requires skilful fine-tuning of monitoring guidelines.     

The asymmetry of pectoralis muscles is greater in male prepubertal than in professional tennis players

It is generally accepted that preadolescents have a limited capacity to develop muscle hypertrophy in response to exercise compared with older populations; however, studies are scarce and conflicting. The main aim of the present study was to assess if playing tennis is associated with the hypertrophy of dominant pectoralis muscles (PM) in professional (PRO) and in prepubescent tennis players (PRE). A secondary aim was to assess if the degree of asymmetry of PM is greater in PRO than PRE. The volume of PM of both sides was determined using magnetic resonance imaging in 8 male PRO (21.9 years), 6 male PRE (11 years, Tanner 1–2) and 12 male non-active controls (6 adults: 23.5 years; and 6 prepubescents: 10.7 years, Tanner 1–2). PRO and PRE had 15 and 30% greater volume, respectively, in the dominant than in the contralateral PM (P?P?=?.34 in adults and 5%, P?=?.17 in children). The degree of side-to-side asymmetry in PM volume was greater in PRE than in PRO (P?相似文献   

The role of facial attractiveness in tennis TV-viewership

Social sciences, anthropology, psychology, and economics researchers have shown various effects of physical attractiveness. In this study, the authors analyze 622 live tennis matches from 66 Grand Slam tournaments between 2000 and 2016, examining the relationship between facial attractiveness, measured by tennis players’ facial symmetry, and TV-viewership. Results indicate that facial symmetry plays a positive role for female matches while there is no significant effect for male matches. The effect persists in several subsample regressions and robustness checks. The findings have important implications for managers in the field of sports. While public broadcasters have a public service function and therefore should be careful in exploiting consumer biases to avoid reinforcing non-sports taste-based discrimination types. Commercial broadcasters and media institutions with solely profit-maximizing objectives will likely exploit consumer biases.     

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.