Physical Fitness Profiling of National Category Table Tennis Players: Implication for Health and Performance

Analysis of Technical-Tactical Actions in High-Level Table Tennis Players: Differences between Sexes

Table tennis is a sport played at a high speed; therefore, the technical-tactical variables are very important. The objective of the research is to analyze the technical and tactical characteristics of high-level TT players according to sex. A total of 48 high-level players (24 women and 24 men) participated in the present study. The investigation was carried out during two championships. The matches were recorded and subsequently analyzed by notational analysis. The results indicate that women stroke the ball more times during the rallies. In the men's competition, the forehand technique predominates over the backhand technique. The flip was the most used in the male sex (p < 0.05). At the tactical level, more winning actions were performed in the men's competition than in the women's, both with the forehand and backhand game. Men performed more losing technical actions when using the forehand and backhand flips. The pivot footwork tactical action was higher in the men's competition. The analysis of the technical-tactical actions highlighted important differences between the sexes. The predominant losing techniques among players are forehand and backhand flip. Female players use more defensive strokes, while male players use more offensive strokes, in particular the flip technique. The potential biomechanical progress of the male player characterized by a larger wingspan biotype could facilitate a better technical-tactical performance. The results obtained are of interest to improve the performance of the players as they must train at a technical-tactical level differently depending on the sex and style of play.

The Effects of Physical Activity on Academic Performance in School-Aged Children: A Systematic Review

Schools offer a unique environment to influence children's physical activity (PA) levels positively. This study aims to systematically review the evidence surrounding how PA affects academic performance by analysing how the frequency, intensity, time, and type of PA mediate academic performance outcomes. This review was conducted using the PRISMA framework. Keyword searches were conducted in Science Direct, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus. Children that were obese, typically developing, typical weight, disabled, with a developmental disability, from a low socio-economic background, or an ethnic minority were included. A total of 19 studies were included, with a total of 6788 participants, a mean age of 9.3 years (50.2% boys, and 49.8% girls). Overall, 63.2% were nondisabled, while 36.8% were diagnosed with a disability. Two authors met, reviewed papers with regard to the inclusion criteria, and agreed on outputs to be included. Evidence suggests that associations between PA and academic performance were primarily positive or nonsignificant. PA levels of 90 min plus per week were associated with improved academic performance, as was PA performed at moderate to vigorous intensity. The optimal duration of PA was 30-60 min per session, whilst various sports induced positive academic effects. Importantly, findings support that PA does not have a deleterious effect on academic performance but can enhance it.

LOWER LIMB STRENGTH TRAINING AND MOBILITY IN TABLE TENNIS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Between the existing fast movement ability training program and the real situation of the athletes, there is a discrepancy, which needs to be solved. Objective: Study the effects of lower limb strength training on fast movement ability in table tennis. Methods: A total of 40 volunteers were recruited and divided into the experimental and control groups, with 20 people in each group. The control group followed the traditional table tennis fast-movement training program. In contrast, the experimental group added lower limb strength training based on the traditional table tennis fast movement training program. The experimental and control groups conducted training experiments twice a week, one hour at a time, for a total of 8 weeks. Results: In the specific fast movement fitness test, the number of upper stages before training in the experimental group was 55.91, and after training was 61.25 (P<0.01). In the whole platform turning speed test, the number in the experimental group before training was 61.40, and after training was 64.28 (P<0.01). Conclusion: Fitness in the rapid movement ability of table tennis players was optimized after the addition of the lower limb strength training program. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Heart Rate Response, Temporal Structure and the Stroke Technique Distribution in Table Tennis National Category Matches

The aims of this study were to analyze the heart rate response, the game temporal structure (i.e., mean total time of the matches, real playing time, total rest time) and the stroke technique distribution and to describe its relations in the table tennis national category in simulated competitions. A cohort of 60 table tennis male players (22.06 ± 8.32 years) played 30 simulated matches. The obtained results show a mean heart rate (HR_mean) of 142.69 ± 14.10 bpm and a peak heart rate (HR_peak) of 167.26 ± 16.51 bpm. Total strokes were 7505, being the 57.88% and 42.12% forehand and backhand strokes, respectively. The most frequent forehand strokes were service (SERV) (33.13%) and forward spin technique (SPIN) (40.75%) stroke types, with the left quadrant of the table away from the net (Z_5) (25%) and right quadrant of the table away from the net (Z_6) (20.72%) being the most frequent ball bouncing placements. Meanwhile, the most frequent backhand strokes were backspin technique (PUSH) (42.74%) and SPIN (31.86%) stroke types, with the intermediate left quadrant of the table (Z_3) (17.21%), Z_5 (31.22%) and Z_6 (18.54%) being the most frequent ball placements. The mean total time of the matches was 15.74 ± 3.82 min, the mean real playing time was 4.14 ± 1.47 min and the total rest time was 11.60 ± 2.67 min. Heart rate variables did not correlate significantly with the different stroke types or the game temporal variables (p > 0.05). However, stroke types and game temporal structure variables were significantly correlated (p < 0.01). This information can be useful to reveal players' strengths and weaknesses and prepare subsequent training sessions, adapting training sessions to the needs of the athletes.

Analysis of Specific Physical Fitness in High-Level Table Tennis Players-Sex Differences

Table tennis performance depends on multiple factors such as technique, tactics and fitness. Several studies have focused on investigating different technical-tactical variables. However, research analysing the specific physical qualities of this sport is scarce, particularly in the female sex. The aim of the present study was to assess the physical fitness variables associated with individual performance in elite table tennis players according to sex. Forty-eight elite players divided into males (n = 24; 25.38 ± 4.01 years) and females (n = 24; 22.33 ± 3.83 years) participated in the study. To determine physical fitness, participants performed vertical jump, hand grip strength, ergospirometry and lateral displacement tests (reaction time, displacement time and lateral acceleration). Male players showed higher values in vertical jump, hand grip strength and maximum oxygen consumption (p < 0.001). Likewise, male players moved laterally faster (p < 0.001). On the other hand, female players had a better reaction time towards the dominant side (p < 0.01). Elite male table tennis players showed better physical fitness compared to female players. Due to the scarcity of data on elite table tennis players, these results can serve as reference values for different table tennis practitioners.

Physiological Profile, Metabolic Response and Temporal Structure in Elite Individual Table Tennis: Differences According to Gender

No research that has analyzed the structural characteristics, physiological profile, and energy demands in the game of table tennis as played by women is available. The present study aimed to evaluate the physiological, metabolic, and temporal variables of table tennis players and to observe gender differences. Forty-eight elite table tennis players participated in this study: 24 men (25.3 ± 4.07 years) and 24 women (22.3 ± 3.8 years). During simulated competition, temporal structure, heart rate (HR), and lactate (LA) were evaluated. The maximum ergospirometric evaluations were performed in a laboratory. The total table tennis (TT) time and the total resting time (TRT) were longer for men (p < 0.05), but game density was higher for women (p < 0.05). During rallies, the real playing time (RPT) was longer for women, while the TRT was longer for men (p < 0.05). The maximum HR, minimum HR, and maximum LA concentrations were higher for men (p < 0.05). The obtained data reveal gender differences in the physiological, metabolic, structural, and temporal variables in table tennis players. The analysis of the studied variables could allow training sessions to be planned and organized according to table tennis players’ gender.