Activity patterns, blood lactate concentrations and ratings of perceived exertion during a professional singles tennis tournament * COMMENTARY (original) (raw)
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A physiological profile of tennis match play
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2001
Purpose: The aim of this investigation was to examine physiological demands of single match play in tennis. Methods: 20 players performed 10 matches of 50 min. Respiratory gas exchange measures (RGEM) and heart rates (HR) were measured using two portable systems. Lactate concentration was determined after each game. The average oxygen uptake (V O 2 ) of 270 games was 29.1 Ϯ 5.6 mL·kg -1 ·min -1 (51.1 Ϯ 10.9% of V O 2max ). Average V O 2 for a game ranged from 10.4 to 47.8 mL·kg -1 ·min -1 (20.4 and 86.8% of V O 2max ). Average lactate concentration (LA) was 2.07 Ϯ 0.9 mmol·L -1 (ranging from 0.7 to 5.2 mmol·L -1 ). Furthermore, we monitored the duration of rallies (DR), the effective playing time (EPT), and the stroke frequency (SF). The average values of 270 games were DR: 6.4 Ϯ 4.1 s, EPT: 29.3 Ϯ 12.1%, SF: 42.6 Ϯ 9.6 shots·min -1 . Results: Multiple regression revealed that the DR was the most promising variable for the determination of V O 2 in match play (r ϭ 0.54). The body surface area (BSA) and EPT were also entered into the calculation model. In games of two defensive players, V O 2 was significantly higher than in games with at least one offensive player. Conclusion: Our results suggest that energy demands of tennis matches are significantly influenced by DR. The highest average V O 2 of a game of 47.8 mL·kg -1 ·min -1 may be regarded as a guide to assess endurance capacity required to sustain high-intensity periods of tennis matches compared with average V O 2 of 29.1 mL·kg -1 ·min -1 for the 270 games. Our results suggest that proper conditioning is advisable especially for players who prefer to play from the baseline.
Physiological demands of match-play in elite tennis: A case study
European Journal of Sport Science, 2011
The physiological and perceptual demands together with match notation of a four-set tennis match were studied in two elite professional players during the preparation for the 2008 Davis Cup. The design of this case report is unique in that it is the first to describe the demands of prolonged match-play (197 min) over four sets in ecologically valid conditions. The variables measured before and after each set included blood lactate and glucose concentrations, body mass, and perception of effort. Stroke count for each rally and heart rate were recorded during each set while salivary cortisol concentration was determined before and after the match. The rally length decreased as the match progressed. The results showed significant physiological stress, with each player losing greater than 2.5% of body mass (as fluid) and having elevated salivary cortisol concentrations after the match. Heart rate and perception of effort were also increased following each set indicating increasing stress. However, blood lactate decreased following the fourth set while blood glucose was maintained. The results also suggest that elite players may adjust work rates or tactics to cope with the increased perception of effort. This report shows that four sets of tennis are associated with increasing stress and fatigue.
Match activity and physiological responses during a junior female singles tennis tournament
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007
Objective: To assess physiological load in conjunction with individual patterns of match-play activity in junior female tennis players during actual singles tennis competition. Methods: Eight elite junior female tennis players (n = 8; mean (SD) age, 17.3 (1.9) years) took part in a 2 day invitational tournament. Activity pattern analysis was performed during competitive matches. Heart rate and blood lactate concentrations were measured during selected changeovers breaks in play. Results: The activity profile of junior female players were: rally duration, (mean (SD)) 8.2 (5.2) s; rest time between rallies, 17.7 (6.5) s; effective playing time, 21.9 (3.8)%; strokes per rally, 2.7 (1.7); changes of direction per rally, 2.3 (1.4). The mean (SD) heart rate and blood lactate concentration recorded during the matches were 161 (5) beats/min and 2.0 (0.8) mmol/litre. Heart rate and blood lactate concentration values were influenced by the characteristics of the match and mean (SD) heart rate was significantly higher (p = 0.004) during service games (166 (15.4) beats/min) than in return games (156 (19.6) beats/min), while blood lactate concentrations were not significantly different (p = 0.83) between service (2.3 (0.6) mmol/litre) and return games (2.3 (0.9) mmol/litre). We found a significant (p,0.05) positive relationship between rally duration, strokes per rally, changes of direction and blood lactate and heart rate responses, with stronger correlations when the players were serving. Conclusions: The physiological (ie, blood lactate and heart rate) responses associated with match play were influenced by the characteristics of the match (rally duration, strokes per rally and changes of direction), with higher heart rate on service position. Training programs should reflect these demands placed on female players during competitive match play.
Journal of Human Kinetics, 2016
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of serve and return game situations on physiological responses and match characteristics in professional male tennis players during one hour-long simulated singles tennis matches. Ten internationally ranked tennis players (age 22.2 ± 2.8 years; body height 180.7 ± 4.4 cm; body mass 75.9 ± 8.9 kg) participated in this study. Their physiological responses were measured using two portable analyzers during indoor hard court matches. Ratings of perceived exertion were also determined at the end of the game. The variables describing the characteristics of the matches determined from video recordings were: (a) duration of rallies; (b) rest time; (c) work-to-rest ratio; (d) effective playing time; and (d) strokes per rally. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between serving and returning conditions in an hour-long simulated singles tennis match in terms of oxygen uptake, a heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, pulmona...
An integrated physiological and performance profile of professional tennis * COMMENTARY
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007
Objective: To describe the physiological responses to tournament tennis in relation to prevailing environmental conditions, match notation, and skills that underpin performance. Design: 14 male professional tennis players (mean (SD) age, 21.4 (2.6) years; height, 183.0 (6.9) cm; body mass, 79.2 (6.4) kg) were studied while contesting international tennis tournaments. Environmental conditions, match notation, physiological (core temperature, hydration status, heart rate, blood variables), and performance indices (serve kinematics, serve velocity, error rates) were recorded. Results: Hard and clay court tournaments elicited similar peak core temperature (38.9 (0.3) v 38.5 (0.6)˚C) and average heart rate (152 v 146 (19) beats/min) but different body mass deficit (1.05 (0.49) v 0.32 (0.56)%, p,0.05). Average pre-match urine specific gravity was 1.022 (0.004). Time between points was longer during hard court matches (25.1 (4.3) v 17.2 (3.3) s, p,0.05). Qualitative analysis of first and second serves revealed inverse relations between the position of the tossing arm at ball release and the position of the ball toss and progressive match time (respectively, r = 20.74 and r = 20.73, p,0.05) and incurred body mass deficit (r = 0.73 and r = 0.73, p,0.05).
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2011
Martin, C, Thevenet, D, Zouhal, H, Mornet, Y, Delè s, R, Crestel, T, Ben Abderrahman, A, and Prioux, J. Effects of playing surface (hard and clay courts) on heart rate and blood lactate during tennis matches played by high level players. J Strength Cond Res 24(x): 000-000, 2010-The aim of this study was to compare tennis matches played on clay (CL) and resin (R) courts. Six matches were played (3 on CL courts and 3 on R courts) by 6 high-level players. Heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously while running time (4.66 m), and blood lactate concentration ([La]) were measured every 4 games. Mean duration of points and effective playing time (EPT) were measured for each match. Mean HR (154 6 12 vs. 141 6 9 bÁmin 21 ) and [La] values (5.7 6 1.8 vs. 3.6 6 1.2 mmolÁL 21 ) were significantly higher on CL (p , 0.05). The [La] increased significantly during the match on CL court. Mean duration of rallies (8.5 6 0.2 vs. 5.9 6 0.5 seconds) and EPT (26.2 6 1.9 vs. 19.5 6 2.0%) were significantly longer (p , 0.05) on CL.
Changes of Reaction Time and Blood Lactate Concentration of Elite Volleyball Players During a Game
Journal of Human Kinetics, 2011
The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in reaction time of elite volleyball players during a game. Fourteen volleyball players participated in the study. Reaction time was measured using the Optojump system. In addition, blood lactate concentration was assessed to monitor physiological load during the game. All measurements were performed during a pre-game test and during sets 1, 2, 3 and 4. Reaction time during set 1 decreased significantly by 13,3 % compared with pre-game values, from 600 ms during the pre-game test to 520 ms during set 1 (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0,05). Blood lactate concentration increased significantly during set 1, 2, 3 and 4 compared with pre-game conditions (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0,05). Reaction time stays in the first phase of its changes pattern and elite volleyball players do not reach psychomotor fatigue threshold throughout the game.
Physiological Responses to On-Court vs Running Interval Training in Competitive Tennis Players
Journal of sports science & medicine, 2011
The aim of this study was to compare heart rate (HR), blood lactate (LA) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) responses to a tennis-specific interval training (i.e., on-court) session with that of a matched-on-time running interval training (i.e., off-court). Eight well-trained, male (n = 4) and female (n = 4) tennis players (mean ± SD; age: 16.4 ± 1.8 years) underwent an incremental test where peak treadmill speed, maximum HR (HRmax) and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) were determined. The two interval training protocols (i.e., off- court and on-court) consisted of 4 sets of 120 s of work, interspersed with 90 s rest. Percentage of HRmax (95.9 ± 2.4 vs. 96.1 ± 2.2%; p = 0.79), LA (6.9 ± 2.5 vs. 6.2 ± 2.4 mmol·L(-1); p = 0.14) and RPE (16.7 ± 2.1 vs. 16.3 ± 1.8; p = 0.50) responses were similar for off-court and on-court, respectively. The two interval training protocols used in the present study have equivalent physiological responses. Longitudinal studies are still warranted but te...
Hormonal and neuromuscular responses during a singles match in male professional tennis players
PloS one, 2018
We sought to measure the response of cortisol concentrations around a professional tennis match and its association with hydration status and neuromuscular performance. Nine professional male tennis players were tested in a rest day, and 2-week after, during the first match of a professional tournament played in a clay-court. Salivary concentrations of cortisol (SalCC) were measured in a resting day (9:00 am and 8:00 pm), at the match day (9:00 am and 8:00 pm) and immediately before and after the match. Hydration status was assessed before the match (urine specific gravity; USG) while fluid turnover was tracked during the match. Finally, counter movement jump (CMJ) and handgrip isometric strength (HS) were measured before and after the match. SalCC, either in the morning (P = 0.161) and afternoon (P = 0.683) was similar in rest and match days. However, SalCC increased after the match (P = 0.033). Participants started the match hypohydrated (USG = 1.026±0.002) and during the match lo...