Analysis of Upper Limbs Strength Training in Table Tennis

Abstract

Introduction: The strength training of superior members currently practiced in the university courses does not correspond to the real necessities of the athletes, demanding the development of optimized methods for more expressive performance gains. To create these methods, it is necessary to collect data scientifically to consolidate a solid analysis for improvement. Objective: Analyze upper limbs strength training in table tennis players. Methods: During the experiment, 20 students were randomly divided into groups to perform daily training according to the original table tennis training plan. The experimental group received a schematized protocol improving the existing teaching by adding upper limb strength training. The experiment totaled eight weeks, with one hour of training conducted twice a week. Results: In the experimental group, the attack distance index increased by 25.378%, the one-minute attack swing index increased by 0.585%, the swing index increased by 12.795%, and the technical attack index increased by 11.452%. Conclusion: The improved upper limb strength training method presented in the protocol of this article can optimize athletes’ muscle strength, increasing balance and swing ability, positively influencing the technical score and final sports performance. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on strength, speed, and endurance performance among racket sports players: A systematic review

“…For racket players, the strength of their hitting ability depends not just on the upper arm, shoulder, elbow, and wrist strength during the hitting motion, but also on power transmission from the lower body to the core, as well as the coordinated engagement of various muscle groups in the upper body [8,29,62]. Within this kinetic chain, explosive force plays a vital role [25]. The accelerated running speeds required by HIIT training lead to increased neural drive, resulting in enhanced anaerobic glycolytic activation and the recruitment of additional fast-twitch motor units for brief durations [45].…”

“…Excellent speed allows for more effective court coverage and better-timed strikes [8,23]. Thus, speed is important for both defending against and launching attacks [24,25]. Moreover, the accumulation of lactic acid during high-intensity exercise can affect internal stability and metabolic processes, leading to fatigue [5,26].…”

“…Racket sports are categorized as middle-level in terms of exercise intensity, necessitating attention to both the anaerobic and aerobic capacities of athletes [8,12,30]. One study demonstrated that racket-playing athletes experienced an increase in average blood lactate levels as match intensity escalated [25]. This suggests that players tend to rely on a relatively high proportion of aerobic energy during matches, due to the extended intervals between games in racket sports [22,31].…”