Background: The purpose of the study was to examine whether neuromuscular fitness contributes significantly to the success of eAlite junior tennis players of differing ages and sexes. Methods: The 160 participants, who were elite Hungarian junior tennis players (aged 11–17), were separated into four groups within this study, and 10 different types of field tests were used. Results: A moderate significant correlation was found between the results of the 5 m run (r = −0.42; r = −0.45), standing long jump (r = 0.39; r = 0.56), overhand ball throw (r = 0.44; r = 0.53), serve (r = 0.39; r = 0.64), amount of push-ups in 30 seconds (r = 0.32; r = 0.48), 10 × 5 m run in a shuttle run (r = −0.34; r = −0.45), the spider run (r = −0.34; r = −0.52), and competitive tennis success among U14 and U18 girls. A significant correlation between the overhead medicine ball throw test value (r = 0.47) and the current competitive performance was found only among U18 elite female tennis players. In contrast, no correlation was found between the values of the U14 and U18 male tennis players and their current competitive performance. Conclusions: Additional studies are needed to identify interventions that can increase sport-specific neuromuscular fitness with the ultimate goal of achieving better performance.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of 6 weeks (conducted twice per week for a total of 12 sessions) of plyometric training with resistance bands on different neuromuscular characteristics among the sample of junior tennis players. Thirty junior tennis players between the ages of 12 and 14 years (age 13.5 ± 1.8 years; weight 51.3 ± 12.5 kg; height 162.7 ± 12.6 cm) were allocated to either the control group (standard in-season regimen) (CG; n = 15) or the experimental group, which received additional plyometric training with resistance bands (TG; n = 15). Pre- and post-tests included: anthropometric measures; 20 m sprint time (with 5, 10, and 20 m splits), squat jump (SQ Jump); vertical countermovement jump (CMJ); vertical countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJ_free arms); single leg (left) countermovement jump (CMJ_L); single leg (right) countermovement jump (CMJ_R); standing long jump (L_Jump); single leg (left) triple jump (SLTH-L); single leg (right) triple jump (SLTH-R); generic change of direction speed (CODS) (20Y test and T-test); reactive agility test (WS-S). After the training intervention, the TG showed significant (“p < 0.05”) improvements in CMJ (F = 7.90, p = 0.01), CMJ_L (F = 5.30, p = 0.03), CMJ_R (F = 11.45, p = 0.00), and SLTH-L (F = 4.49, p = 0.04) tests. No significant changes were observed in the CG after the training intervention. Our findings provide useful information for coaches to create a wide range of tennis-specific situations to develop a proper performance, especially for their player’s neuromuscular fitness.
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 protocol. The RPE increased from 5 to 9, after the fatigue protocol, indicating the desired fatigue effect. These findings indicate that exercise-induced fatigue impairs change of direction performance and serve precision among young tennis players.
Sports development of young and talented athletes is a very dynamic process which includes an ample range of challenges and obstacles. The aim of this research is a qualitative analysis of experiences of tennis players’ with a lower-range of efficiency as senior players. The attempt was to identify those factors that prevented efficiency in senior competitions for tennis players who achieved excellent results in junior competitions. A particular emphasis was directed towards three domains which were presented as key factors for a successful athletic career in previous research (specialisation in the chosen sport, environmental impact on sports development and negative life events/circumstances). A series of polystructural interviews with tennis players in senior competitions were conducted (N = 10). The obtained data indicate several factors with a negative impact on the successful development of young and talented tennis players, as follows: premature specialisation, insufficient commitment to the training process, lack of adequate support by the parents and coach, failure to make proper and timely decisions regarding one’s own sports development, injuries and insufficient financial means. The identification of key factors in the sports development of young athletes can be of crucial relevance for quality guidance and direction in sports careers of talented athletes.
In order to provide adequate support for young tennis players, it is important to understand the development path and factors which can have a positive or negative impact on the development of a player. The aim of this research was to determine the factors that affected sports specialization in tennis by means of qualitative analysis (early, optimal, or late). As well as to deepen the knowledge around the phenomenon of specialization in tennis among players of differing success levels through their personal experiences, in order to contribute to a better understanding of their specialization. The authors interviewed 30 tennis players of differing levels, including 10 participants from the most elite level (Grand Slam champions), exploring their contrasting experiences of development. The data set was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three topics were generated, which included the following: engaging in sport, decisions, and time of specialization. The obtained results offer a stimulus to reflect on numerous aspects of athlete development.
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