The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a tennis training session on the balance performance of young tennis players. The study was conducted on 36 elite tennis players (age 14 +/- 2 years; body mass 55 +/- 6 kg; body height 165 +/- 6 cm; mean +/- SD) participating in the national young tennis championship. Balance performance was assessed before and immediately after a tennis training session (pre-training and post-training, respectively). The balance assessment was performed with 2 different balance boards and the Biodex Stability System. In addition, dynamometric measurements of peak isokinetic moment in the knee flexors and extensors were performed pre and post tennis training session, to quantify the degree of muscle fatigue induced by the tennis training session. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to test for differences in balance performance and in isokinetic performance between pre and post tennis training session. The data analysis revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in balance performance, whereas there were significant differences in knee joint moment production between pre and post tennis training measures. Although the tennis training session of the present study had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on any of the balance performance indicators examined, there was a decline in balance performance, which suggests that different level of fatigue for an extended period (games) will have greater effect on balance performance. It is suggested that a tennis-specific balance exercise program should be included in the tennis training session.

[Purpose] The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), foam rolling, and athletic elastic taping on improving elite volleyball players’ shoulder range of motion (ROM) and throwing performance. [Participants and Methods] Fifteen elite male volleyball players (mean age: 24 ± 4.54 years; mean height: 177 ± 0.08 cm; mean weight: 81 ± 7.71 kg) received shoulder Ergon IASTM, foam rolling, and elastic taping treatment in random order on both upper extremities once a week for three weeks. Pre-and post-treatment assessments of their shoulders’ ROM and functional throwing performance were performed. [Results] Ergon IASTM technique resulted in significantly higher shoulder flexion ROM values than foam rolling and elastic taping. Foam rolling, in turn, showed better results than athletic elastic taping. Moreover, the Ergon IASTM technique resulted in significantly higher OSP values than athletic elastic taping. No significant differences were observed between the therapeutic interventions in terms of FTPI. [Conclusion] This pilot study on elite athletes provides evidence that both IASTM and foam rolling techniques may improve their passive shoulder ROM compared to elastic athletic taping while Ergon IASTM can also enhance their shoulder throwing performance.

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AimThe goal of this study was to develop a system which controls and records the posture and the spinal curvature for both diagnostic and therapeutic use.