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Lambrich J, Muehlbauer T. The role of increased post-impact ball speed on plantar pressure during topspin and slice longline forehand groundstrokes in female tennis players. BMC Res Notes 2023; 16:330. [PMID: 37957744 PMCID: PMC10644409 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-023-06614-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Performing groundstrokes is a fundamental skill for tennis players. However, little is known about changes in plantar pressure when post-impact ball speed is increased during topspin and slice groundstrokes. The objective of the present study was to examine how elite (International Tennis Number ≤ 2) female tennis players (N = 15, mean age: 22.7 ± 7.8 years) change their plantar pressure in the dominant (equals the stroke arm) and non-dominant foot when executing topspin and slice longline forehand groundstrokes in order to increase post-impact ball speed (i.e., 80 km/h, 90 km/h, 100 km/h, vmax). RESULTS The repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant ball speed × foot dominance interaction. Post-hoc analyses showed larger mean forces during topspin compared to slice groundstrokes for the dominant foot (p ≤ .026, d ≥ 0.34) but lower values for the non-dominant foot (p ≤ .050, d ≥ 0.28). Further, with increasing post-impact ball speed, increases in mean forces in both feet during topspin could be observed but only in the dominant foot during slice groundstrokes. Varying mean forces depending on the stroke type and foot dominance imply that specific physical exercises related to these two factors are necessary to optimise plantar pressure distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Lambrich
- Division of Movement and Training Sciences, Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg- Essen, Gladbecker Str. 182, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Muehlbauer
- Division of Movement and Training Sciences, Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg- Essen, Gladbecker Str. 182, 45141, Essen, Germany
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Lambrich J, Muehlbauer T. Plantar pressure is changed to increase post-impact ball speed during longline forehand and backhand groundstroke in elite female tennis players. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1165628. [PMID: 37274620 PMCID: PMC10232765 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1165628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Achieving high ball speed during the execution of groundstrokes represents a performance-relevant factor in tennis. However, it is unclear how plantar pressure data undergo change during the execution of groundstrokes by tennis players to achieve high postimpact ball speed. Thus, the objective of the present study is to determine how tennis players change the plantar pressure in each foot when they execute longline forehand and backhand groundstrokes in order to increase postimpact ball speed. Methods Seventeen healthy nationally ranked female tennis players (mean age: 21.7 ± 7.7 years) participated in this study. The players performed longline forehand and backhand groundstrokes (topspin) at four postimpact ball speed levels, i.e., at 80 km/h, 90 km/h, 100 km/h, and vmax. Plantar pressure was measured in each foot [i.e., dominant (equals the stroke arm) and non-dominant] using flexible instrumented insoles. Results Irrespective of the stroke technique, the repeated measures ANOVA procedure showed significant ball speed × foot dominance interactions. For the forehand stroke, post hoc analyses revealed significantly increased (dominant foot) and decreased (non-dominant foot) pressure values when the postimpact ball speed increased from 100 km/h to vmax. For the backhand stroke, the post hoc analyses yielded significantly decreased (dominant and non-dominant foot) plantar pressure values when the postimpact ball speed increased from 100 km/h to vmax. There were no further significant differences between the other ball speed levels. Discussion The significantly varying plantar pressure changes depending on the stroke technique and foot dominance to increase postimpact ball speed suggest that specific physical exercises related to the foot (dominant vs. non-dominant foot) and groundstroke (forehand vs. backhand) seem to be necessary for plantar pressure optimization.
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Lester M, Peeling P, Girard O, Murphy A, Armstrong C, Reid M. From The Ground Up: Expert Perceptions of Lower Limb Activity Monitoring in Tennis. J Sports Sci Med 2023; 22:133-141. [PMID: 36876180 PMCID: PMC9982527 DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2023.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding on-court movement in tennis allows for enhanced preparation strategies to improve player readiness and performance. Here, we explore expert physical preparation coaches' perceptions of elite training strategies for preparation and performance in tennis, with special reference to lower limb activity. Thirteen world renowned tennis strength and conditioning coaches were interviewed in a semi-structured method that explored four key topic areas of physical preparation for tennis: i) the physical demands; ii) load monitoring practice; iii) the direction of ground reaction forces application during match-play; and iv) the application of strength and conditioning for tennis. Three higher-order themes emerged from these discussions: i) off-court training for tennis should be specific to the demands of the sport, ii) the mechanical understanding of tennis lags our physiological approach, and iii) our understanding of the lower limb's contribution to tennis performance is limited. These findings provide valuable insights into the importance of improving our knowledge relevant to the mechanical demands of tennis movement, whilst highlighting important practical considerations from leading tennis conditioning experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lester
- School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Tennis Australia, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Peeling
- School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Western Australian Institute of Sport, Perth, Australia
| | - Olivier Girard
- School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Cameron Armstrong
- School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Tennis Australia, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Machar Reid
- School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Tennis Australia, Melbourne, Australia
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Martin C, Touzard P, Horvais N, Puchaud P, Kulpa R, Bideau B, Sorel A. Influence of shoe torsional stiffness on foot and ankle biomechanics during tennis forehand strokes. Eur J Sport Sci 2022; 23:914-924. [PMID: 36437487 DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2153232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Tennis shoe characteristics need to minimise the risk of athletes suffering ankle injuries and improve players' feet performance. This study aims to evaluate the influence of shoe torsional stiffness on running velocity, stance duration, ground reaction forces and ankle biomechanics during two different tennis forehand runs and strokes. Ten right-handed advanced male tennis players performed two specific tennis forehand runs and strokes at maximal effort (a shuttle run with a defensive open stance forehand - SRDF and a lateral jab run with an offensive open stance forehand - JROF) with four different pairs of tennis shoes with different torsional stiffness. A force platform measured ground reaction forces (GRF). A motion capture system recorded the 3D trajectories of markers located on players' anatomical landmarks. The minimum, maximum angle value, and range of motion were computed using inverse kinematics for each rotation axis of the right ankle. Normalised maximal ankle torques were also computed using inverse dynamics. Shoe torsional stiffness had no effect on running velocity, on stance duration and maximal values of GRF. Shoe torsional stiffness influenced forefoot inversion which was significantly higher for the most flexible shoes. For SRDF, the maximal ankle inversion angle was significantly and largely increased for the stiffest shoe. The stiffest shoe may put the ankle at a higher risk of lateral sprains during SRDF while it was not the case during JROF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Martin
- M2S Laboratory, Rennes 2 University, École Normale Supérieure de Rennes, Campus de Ker Lann, Bruz, France
| | - Pierre Touzard
- M2S Laboratory, Rennes 2 University, École Normale Supérieure de Rennes, Campus de Ker Lann, Bruz, France
| | - Nicolas Horvais
- Sport Sciences Laboratory, Wilson Footwear Department, Salomon SAS, Épagny Metz-Tessy, France
| | - Pierre Puchaud
- M2S Laboratory, Rennes 2 University, École Normale Supérieure de Rennes, Campus de Ker Lann, Bruz, France.,Centre de Recherche des Ecoles de St-Cyr Coëtquidan, Guer, France.,Univ RennesInria, Rennes, France
| | - Richard Kulpa
- M2S Laboratory, Rennes 2 University, École Normale Supérieure de Rennes, Campus de Ker Lann, Bruz, France.,Univ RennesInria, Rennes, France
| | - Benoit Bideau
- M2S Laboratory, Rennes 2 University, École Normale Supérieure de Rennes, Campus de Ker Lann, Bruz, France.,Univ RennesInria, Rennes, France
| | - Anthony Sorel
- M2S Laboratory, Rennes 2 University, École Normale Supérieure de Rennes, Campus de Ker Lann, Bruz, France.,Univ RennesInria, Rennes, France
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Brito AV, Carvalho DD, Fonseca P, Monteiro AS, Fernandes A, Fernández-Fernández J, Fernandes RJ. Shoulder Torque Production and Muscular Balance after Long and Short Tennis Points. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15857. [PMID: 36497932 PMCID: PMC9737849 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Tennis is an asymmetric sport characterized by a systematic repetition of specific movements that may cause disturbances in muscular strength, power, and torque. Thus, we assessed (i) the torque, power, ratio production, and bilateral asymmetries in the shoulder's external and internal rotations at 90 and 180°/s angular velocities, and (ii) the point duration influence of the above-mentioned variables. Twenty competitive tennis players performed external and internal shoulder rotations; an isokinetic evaluation was conducted of the dominant and non-dominant upper limbs before and after five and ten forehands. A higher torque production in the shoulder's internal rotations at 90 and 180°/s was observed for the dominant vs. non-dominant sides (e.g., 63.1 ± 15.6 vs. 45.9 ± 9.8% and 62.5 ± 17.3 vs. 44.0 ± 12.6% of peak torque/body mass, p < 0.05). The peak torque decreased only after ten forehands (38.3 ± 15.8 vs. 38.2 ± 15.8 and 39.3 ± 16.1 vs. 38.1 ± 15.6 Nm, respectively, p < 0.05), but without impacting speed or accuracy. Unilateral systematic actions of tennis players caused contralateral asymmetries, evidencing the importance of implementing compensatory training. The forehand kinematic assessment suggests that racket and wrist amplitude, as well as speed, are important success determinants in tennis.
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Affiliation(s)
- André V. Brito
- Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport and Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Diogo D. Carvalho
- Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport and Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Fonseca
- Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport and Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana S. Monteiro
- Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport and Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Aléxia Fernandes
- Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport and Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Ricardo J. Fernandes
- Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport and Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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