Alterations in mechanical muscle characteristics and postural control induced by tennis match-play in young players (original) (raw)
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The development of fatigue during match-play tennis
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2014
Data describing the activity profile and physiological characteristics of tennis match-play are extensive. However, these data have generally provided descriptive accounts of the one-off match-play of amateur or lowly ranked professional players lasting <3 h. Accordingly, these research efforts have likely failed to fully capture the demands of Grand Slam tennis match-play, particularly in the men's game where matches can last >5 h. Furthermore, there is a distinct lack of evidencebased insight regarding the manifestation of fatigue within and between tennis matches, notwithstanding that skeletal muscle function has been reported to reduce following prolonged match-play. Moreover, it is evident that match-play evokes pronounced and prolonged physiological, neuromuscular and psychological perturbations that may be exacerbated with consecutive days of match-play. Separate to these internal load responses, a collection of non-uniform movement and technical performance changes are reported, though rarely from match-play data. Consequently, direct or causal links between altered physiological or muscle contractile function and subsequent match-play outcomes are lacking. Indeed, emerging evidence seems to infer that players adjust their game strategy, and the resultant execution of stroke play, to accommodate any such deterioration in physiological function. The purpose of this review was to discuss the available literature in terms of the physiological, mechanical and psychological responses that occur during prolonged match-play in the context of their likely effect on match-play performance. Alistair Murphy for their assistance throughout the manuscript preparation.
Sports
This study investigates the effect of exercise-induced fatigue on change of direction performance and serve precision among young tennis players. A group of 21 players (age 12.90 ± 0.76 years), ranked among the top 50 players on the national tennis federation scale and the top 300 on the “Tennis Europe” scale, participated in the study. They underwent a standardized physiological load protocol using the “300-m running test” which consists of consecutive runs for 15 shares of 20 m (15 × 20). Its intensity was determined using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale where subjects evaluated their level of experienced load on a scale from 0 to 10. Prior to and after the protocol, they performed a pre-planned change of direction T-test and serve precision test. Results showed significant increase of time in the T-test (from 11.75 ± 0.45 s to 12.99 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.00) and decrease in serve precision parameter from (6.00 ± 1.04 to 4.00 ± 1.26, p = 0.00) after the fatigue test pro...
International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 2018
This study examined physical and perceptual responses to multiple daily tennis matches. Six junior males completed 3 x min singles matches, each separated by 45 min recovery. Physical capacity (agility, countermovement jump [CMJ]), shoulder internal and external rotation (IR, ER), serve performance, creatine kinase (CK) and perceptual (soreness, pain, and fatigue) measures were performed before match 1 and following each match. During matches, distances and speeds covered, stroke count and stroke acceleration magnitudes were assessed. Between-match changes (effect size 90% confidence interval [CI]) 75% likely to exceed the smallest important effect size (ES=0.20) were considered practically important. Movement distance (-0.630.90, 81% likely) and mean speed (-0.610.82, 82% likely) decreased only in match 2. Total strokes played also reduced in match 2 (-11.017.7, 84% likely), without changes in stroke acceleration magnitudes. Serve accuracy declined post-match 3 (0.761.15, 81% likely), though speed did not change. CMJ height was unchanged, though shoulder IR and ER declined (-0.570.44, 92% likely), as did agility (0.750.35, 99% likely) by post-match 3. CK, pain, fatigue and soreness ratings increased throughout. Same-day tennis matches impair physical capacities and increase fatigue and soreness. Betweenmatch fluctuations in stroke count and movement also infer altered technical elements of match-play.
Influence of a Prolonged Tennis Match Play on Serve Biomechanics
PLOS ONE, 2016
The aim of this study was to quantify kinematic, kinetic and performance changes that occur in the serve throughout a prolonged tennis match play. Serves of eight male advanced tennis players were recorded with a motion capture system before, at mid-match, and after a 3hour tennis match. Before and after each match, electromyographic data of 8 upper limb muscles obtained during isometric maximal voluntary contraction were compared to determine the presence of muscular fatigue. Vertical ground reaction forces, rating of perceived exertion, ball speed, and ball impact height were measured. Kinematic and upper limb kinetic variables were computed. The results show decrease in mean power frequency values for several upper limb muscles that is an indicator of local muscular fatigue. Decreases in serve ball speed, ball impact height, maximal angular velocities and an increase in rating of perceived exertion were also observed between the beginning and the end of the match. With fatigue, the majority of the upper limb joint kinetics decreases at the end of the match. No change in timing of maximal angular velocities was observed between the beginning and the end of the match. A prolonged tennis match play may induce fatigue in upper limb muscles, which decrease performance and cause changes in serve maximal angular velocities and joint kinetics. The consistency in timing of maximal angular velocities suggests that advanced tennis players are able to maintain the temporal pattern of their serve technique, in spite of the muscular fatigue development.
Effects of a Tennis Match on Perceived Fatigue, Jump and Sprint Performances on Recreational Players
The Open Sports Sciences Journal
Background: Tennis is an intermittent sport, characterized by hundreds of repetitive explosive efforts, including accelerations, and jumps. A single match can last up to 5 hours and players are called to play several matches often separated by less than 48h of recovery. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effects of a standardized tennis match on perceived fatigue and jump and sprint performances on a group of recreational tennis players and to observe if such variables were affected by residual effects of fatigue 24 hours after the match. Methods: Twelve recreational tennis players performed a 120 min match. Before, immediately after and 24h after the match, players completed a set of three countermovement jumps, three 10m sprints, and reported their perception of general fatigue. Results: Significant differences between the three conditions have been found for the perceived fatigue: indeed fatigue was higher both in the immediate post (F(1,10)= 54.422, η2 = 0.845, p<0...
Muscle Damage After a Tennis Match in Young Players
Biology of Sport, 2013
The present study investigated changes in indirect markers of muscle damage following a simulated tennis match play using nationally ranked young (17.6 ± 1.4 years) male tennis players. Ten young athletes played a 3-hour simulated match play on outdoor red clay courts following the International Tennis Federation rules. Muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase activity (CK), serum myoglobin concentration (Mb), one repetition maximum (1RM) squat strength, and squat jump (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ) heights were assessed before, immediately after, and 24 and 48 h after the simulated match play. All parameters were also evaluated in a non-exercised group (control group). A small increase in the indirect markers of muscle damage (muscle soreness, CK and Mb) was detected at 24-48 hours post-match (p<0.05). A marked acute decrement in neuromuscular performance (1RM squat strength:-35.2 ± 10.4%, SJ:-7.0 ± 6.0%, CMJ:-10.0 ± 6.3%) was observed immediately post-match (p<0.05). At 24 h post-match, the 1RM strength and jump heights were not significantly different from the baseline values. However, several players showed a decrease of these measures at 24 h after the match play. The simulated tennis match play induced mild muscle damage in young players. Coaches could monitor changes in the indirect markers of muscle damage to assess athletes' recovery status during training and competition.
Effect of Playing Surface Properties on Neuromuscular Fatigue in Tennis
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2012
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the playing surface properties on the development of neuromuscular fatigue in tennis. Methods: Ten subjects played randomly two tennis matches on hard court (HARD) and clay court (CLAY) for an effective playing duration of 45 min (i.e., corresponding approximately to a 3-h game). Before and after each match, the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of the plantar flexors, the maximal voluntary activation level, the maximal compound muscle action characteristic, and the EMG activity were determined on the soleus (SOL) and lateralis gastrocnemius (LG) muscles. Tetanic and single stimulations were also delivered to evaluate the presence of low-frequency fatigue and contractile impairment. Finally, reflex responses were evoked on the relaxed muscle (H-reflex) and during MVC (H-reflex and V-wave). Results: Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant difference between playing surfaces. MVC was similarly reduced after the game (HARD, j9.1% T 8.7%; CLAY, j4.3% T 19.9%) and was associated with alterations of the contractile properties of the plantar flexor muscles. The implication of central factors was less clear, as evidenced by the significant reduction (P G 0.05) of the H-reflex on the relaxed LG (HARD, j16.2% T 33.3%; CLAY, j23.9% T 54.0%) and SOL (HARD, j16.1% T 48.9%; CLAY, j34.9% T 35.9%) and the nonsignificant reduction of the activation level. In addition, the reflex responses evoked during MVC were not significantly modified by the exercise. Conclusion: These results suggest that the ground surface properties influence neither the extent nor the origin of neuromuscular fatigue in tennis. The moderate force decrement observed in the current study was mainly associated with peripheral fatigue.
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...
Influence of a Prolonged Tennis Match Play on Tennis Serve Biomechanics
2016
The aim of this study was to quantify biomechanical changes that occur in the serve throughout a prolonged tennis match. Serves of tennis players were recorded with a motion capture system before (T0) during (T90), and after (T180) a 3-hour match. Before and after each match, EMG data of upper limb muscles were analyzed to determine the presence of muscular fatigue. RPE and ball velocity and biomechanical variables were analyzed. Decreases in ball velocity; maximal angular velocities and increase in RPE were observed. The majority of the upper limb joint kinetics decreases between T0 and T180. No change in timing of maximal angular velocities was observed. A prolonged tennis match induces fatigue in upper limb muscles, which decreases performance and modifies serve biomechanics.
Influence of fatigue on upper limb muscle activity and performance in tennis
Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 2014
The study examined the fatigue effect on tennis performance and upper limb muscle activity. Ten players were tested before and after a strenuous tennis exercise. Velocity and accuracy of serve and forehand drives, as well as corresponding surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of eight upper limb muscles were measured. EMG and force were also evaluated during isometric maximal voluntary contractions (IMVC). Significant decreases were observed after exercise in serve accuracy (À11.7%) and velocity (À4.5%), forehand accuracy (À25.6%) and consistency (À15.6%), as well as pectoralis major (PM) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) IMVC strength (À13.0% and À8.2%, respectively). EMG amplitude decreased for PM and FCR in serve, forehand and IMVC, and for extensor carpi radialis in forehand. No modification was observed in EMG activation timing during strokes or in EMG frequency content during IMVC. Several hypotheses can be put forward to explain these results. First, muscle fatigue may induce a reduction in activation level of PM and forearm muscles, which could decrease performance. Second, conscious or subconscious strategies could lead to a redistribution of muscle activity to non-fatigued muscles in order to protect the organism and/or limit performance losses. Otherwise, the modifications of EMG activity could also illustrate the strategies adopted to manage the speed-accuracy trade-off in such a complex task.