Effects of Two Training Protocols on the Forehand Drive Performance in Tennis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 2 training modalities on the tennis forehand drive performance. Forty-four tennis players (mean ± SD: age = 26.9 ± 7.5 years; height = 178.6 ± 6.7 cm; mass = 72.5 ± 8.0 kg; International Tennis Number = 3) were randomly assigned into 3 groups. During 6 weeks, the first group performed handled medicine ball (HMB) throws included in the regular tennis practice, the second group (overweight racket-OWR) played tennis forehand drives with an overweighed racket during the regular tennis practice, and the third group (regular tennis training-RTT) practiced only tennis training as usual. Before and after the 6-week program, velocity and accuracy of tennis crosscourt forehand drives were evaluated in the 3 groups. The main results showed that after 6-week training, the maximal ball velocity was significantly increased in HMB and OWR groups in comparison with RTT (p < 0.001 and p = 0. 001, respectively). The estimated averaged increase in ball velocity was greater in HMB than in OWR (11 vs. 5%, respectively; p = 0.017), but shot accuracy tended to be deteriorated in HMB when compared with OWR and RTT (p = 0.043 and p = 0.027, respectively). The findings of this study highlighted the efficiency of both training modalities to improve tennis forehand drive performance but also suggested that the HMB throws may be incorporated into the preseason program preferably, whereas the OWR forehand drives may be included in the on-season program.

The Relationship Between Maximum Isometric Strength and Ball Velocity in the Tennis Serve

“…In order to achieve better results, coaches should consider using training methods that allow for involving these two movements within the specific kinetic chain of service. To develop stroke velocity, other authors have recommended the use of medicine ball throws (plyometrics) (Earp and Kraemer, 2010; Genevois et al, 2013; Reid and Schneiker, 2008; Wakeham and Jacobs, 2009) or cable pulley machines (Keiser pneumatic devices) (Kovacs and Ellenbecker, 2011b; Roetert et al, 2009). These exercises make it possible to incorporate shoulder internal rotation and shoulder flexion into the kinetic chain (i.e., an overhead diagonal cable or a medicine ball throw).…”

The development of fatigue during match-play tennis

“…Through using surrogate approaches to assist the understanding of this relationship, it is noted that ‘expert’ players show greater fatigue resistance and less decrement in stroke accuracy than less well-trained counterparts43 during stroke-play in scenarios ‘representative’ of match-play. Further, when players undergo 6 weeks of fatigue-resistance training (medicine ball and overweight racket swings) in excess of regular hitting practice, an ability to increase stroke velocity, though somewhat at the expense of accuracy, is evident during specific cross-court hitting tasks 44. Hence, while the causation of stroke-play-related reductions in performance are unknown, it would appear as though stroke velocity and accuracy can be altered under match-play conditions with particular training interventions.…”

Efectos del entrenamiento de fuerza en la velocidad de golpeo en tenistas jóvenes / Effects of Strength Training on Hitting Speed in Young Tennis Players

“…Estos resultados son similares a los observados por otros autores quienes en tenis y beisbol observaron mejoras asociadas a un entrenamiento de estas características (Fernández et al, 2013;Genevois et al, 2013;Escamilla et al, 2012). Fernández et al (2013) en un estudio realizado a 30 tenistas varones de categoría junior encontraron que con un entrenamiento de 6 semanas realizando ejercicios de la musculatura del núcleo corporal (CORE), gomas elásticas y ejercicios con balón medicinal, la velocidad de servicio mejoró significativamente (4.9%).…”

“…Fernández et al (2013) en un estudio realizado a 30 tenistas varones de categoría junior encontraron que con un entrenamiento de 6 semanas realizando ejercicios de la musculatura del núcleo corporal (CORE), gomas elásticas y ejercicios con balón medicinal, la velocidad de servicio mejoró significativamente (4.9%). Genevois et al (2013) en un estudio realizado a 44 tenistas varones adultos observaron que con un entrenamiento de 6 semanas de lanzamientos de balón medicinal mejoró significativamente la velocidad de golpeo de derecha (11%). Por otra parte, Escamilla et al (2012), en un estudio realizado a 68 jugadores jóvenes (entre 14 y 17 años) de béisbol, el grupo que realizaba ejercicios de lanzamientos con balón medicinal y ejercicios con bandas elásticas mejoraron significativamente (2.1%) la velocidad de lanzamiento de pelota.…”

“…Diversos estudios han demostrado que el entrenamiento de la fuerza explosiva a través del entrenamiento del CEA (ciclo estiramiento-acortamiento) permite mejorar la velocidad de golpeo en deportes como el tenis (Treiber et al, 1998;Fernández et al, 2013;Genevois et al, 2013) o el béisbol (Escamilla et al, 2012). En este sentido, diversos autores recomiendan realizar lanzamientos rotacionales de balón medicinal para estimular la velocidad de golpeo en tenis (Roetert y Ellenbecker, 2008;Roetert et al, 2009;Earp y Kraemer, 2010;Baiget, 2011) o la utilización de sobrecargas (Kraemer et al, 2000;Kraemer et al, 2003).…”