Effects of Playing Surface (Hard and Clay Courts) on Heart Rate and Blood Lactate During Tennis Matches Played by High-Level Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare tennis matches played on clay (CL) and resin (R) courts. Six matches were played (3 on CL courts and 3 on R courts) by 6 high-level players. Heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously while running time (4.66 m), and blood lactate concentration ([La]) were measured every 4 games. Mean duration of points and effective playing time (EPT) were measured for each match. Mean HR (154 ± 12 vs. 141 ± 9 b · min(-1)) and [La] values (5.7 ± 1.8 vs. 3.6 ± 1.2 mmol · L(-1)) were significantly higher on CL (p < 0.05). The [La] increased significantly during the match on CL court. Mean duration of rallies (8.5 ± 0.2 vs. 5.9 ± 0.5 seconds) and EPT (26.2 ± 1.9 vs. 19.5 ± 2.0%) were significantly longer (p < 0.05) on CL. Running time values in speed tests were not significantly different between CL and R. Running time performance was not significantly decreased during the match, whatever the playing surface. This study shows that the court surface influences the characteristics of the match and the player's physiological responses. The court surface should be a key factor for consideration when coaches determine specific training programs for high-level tennis players.

Match activity and physiological load in wheelchair tennis players: a pilot study

“…The playing surface has an implication for physiological player responses; in fact, conventional tennis studies show differences in HR between clay courts and hard court. 20 Our results are similar to other studies in WT on hard courts and lower than the mean in conventional tennis on clay courts. 20 Therefore, more studies are necessary to evaluate the possible differences in the intensity of the game in relation to the playing surface.…”

“…In comparison with conventional tennis players, our data are lower than professional males 19 (3.8 ± 2.0) or pro-competition male players. 20 This reaffirms the view that the intensity is lower in WT than in conventional tennis and shows to the coaches the differences between modalities. Despite the fact that the intensity of play is high (75% HR max ), the rally duration (7.04 s) means that there is not enough time for LA to be determined as a variable that limits performance.…”

Physiological, Perceptual, and Technical Responses to On-Court Tennis Training on Hard and Clay Courts

“…Previous research outlines the differences in the playing characteristics of match play because of court surface (7,9,12,17,19,20). Specifically, match play on clay courts, which possess higher friction coefficients and coefficients of restitution than hard courts, are punctuated by longer rallies, a higher number of strokes per rally, and a predominance of topspin shot selection (12).…”

The effects of grass and clay plyometric training on jumping, sprinting and agility in collegiate cricketers

“…increase heart rate, lactic acid and oxygen consumption etc.) when compared to other surfaces like hard and resin surface and therefore surfaces can choose for different training session and need 20,21 . With attention to the vague and different results from the effect of plyometric training on different surfaces like water, grass, mat and land, and effect of clay surface on physiological parameters, this question existing that, how plyometric on clay can be effective to improve performance?…”