Mechanical, Hormonal and Psychological Effects of a Non-Failure Short-Term Strength Training Program in Young Tennis Players

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a 6-week non-failure strength training program in youth tennis players. Twenty tennis players (age: 15.0 ± 1 years, body height: 170.9 ± 5.1 cm, body mass: 63.3 ± 9.1 kg) were divided into experimental and control groups. Pre and post-tests included half squats, bench press, squat jumps, countermovement-jumps and side-ball throws. Salivary cortisol samples were collected, and the Profile of Mood States questionnaire was used weekly during an anatomical adaptation period, a main training period and after a tapering week. The results showed that, after the main training period, the experimental group significantly improved (p<0.05) in mean and peak power output and in the total number of repetitions during the half-squat endurance test; mean force, power and velocity in the half-squat power output test; Profile of Mood States (in total mood disturbance between the last week of the mean training period and the tapering week); and in squat-jump and countermovement-jump height. Moreover, significant differences were found between the groups at the post-tests in the total number of repetitions, mean and peak power during the half-squat endurance test, mean velocity in the half-squat power output test, salivary cortisol concentration (baselines, first and third week of the mean training period) and in the Profile of Mood States (in fatigue subscale: first and third week of the mean training period). In conclusion, a non-failure strength training protocol improved lower-limb performance levels and produced a moderate psychophysiological impact in youth elite tennis players, suggesting that it is a suitable program to improve strength. Such training protocols do not increase the total training load of tennis players and may be recommended to improve strength.

Effectiveness of Traditional Strength vs. Power Training on Muscle Strength, Power and Speed with Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“… %Δ, Percent change from pre-test to post-test; BPT, balance training before plyometric training; BW, bodyweight; cm, centimeter; CMJ, counter movement jump; CSTS, core strength training on stable surface; CSTU, core strength training on unstable surface; EE, elbow extension; EF, elbow flexor; ET, elastic tubing; Ex, exercises; FFM, fat free mass; Freq, frequency; FW, free weight; Int, intensity; Isok, isokinetic; Isom, isometric; Isot, isotonic; KE, knee extension; KF, knee flexion; kg, kilogram; m, meter; Med, Medicine; Mod, moderate; MVIC, maximal voluntary isometric contraction; N, number of participants; PBT, plyometric training before balance training; PE, physical education students; PHV, peak height velocity; Post, post-test; Power, power measures; Pre, pre-test; PT, peak torque; Reps, repetitions; RM, repetition maximum; RPE, rating of perceived exertion; s, second; SD, standard deviation; Strength, strength measures; T, trained youth; TMS, trunk muscle strength; Tr, training status; U, untrained youth; Var, varied; Wks, weeks . Additional Citations for Table 2A are found in the text reference list (Hettinger, 1958; Funato et al, 1986; Sewall and Micheli, 1986; Weltman et al, 1986; Blimkie, 1989; Ozmun et al, 1994; DeRenne et al, 1996; Gorostiaga et al, 1999; Sadres et al, 2001; Flanagan et al, 2002; Pikosky et al, 2002; Tsolakis et al, 2004; Drinkwater et al, 2005; Benson et al, 2007; Faigenbaum et al, 2007a, 2014, 2015; Channell and Barfield, 2008; Rhea et al, 2008; Teng et al, 2008; Chelly et al, 2009; Dorgo et al, 2009; Lubans et al, 2010; Velez et al, 2010; Wong et al, 2010; Ebada, 2011; Granacher et al, 2011a,b, 2014, 2015; Ignjatovic et al, 2011; Muehlbauer et al, 2012; Santos and Janeira, 2012; Moore et al, 2013; Moraes et al, 2013; Sander et al, 2013; Coskun and Sahin, 2014; Ferrete et al, 2014; Pesta et al, 2014; Piazza et al, 2014; Dalamitros et al, 2015; Gonzalez-Badillo et al, 2015; dos Santos Cunha et al, 2015; Sarabia et al, 2015; Tran et al, 2015; Eather et al, 2016; Harries et al, 2016; Lloyd et al, 2016; Negra et al, 2016; Prieske et al, 2016; Rodriguez-Rosell et al, …”

Effect of an Integrated Resistance Program Based Weightlifting Exercises on Improving Physical Performance of Young Table Elite’s Tennis Players

“…Several previous works in racket sports (Tennis, Squash…) used moderate weight loads (50% -65% 1-RM) (Sannicandro et al, 2014;Fernandez-Fernandez et al, 2015;Sarabia et al, 2015;Pialoux et al, 2015). None the less, different results have been reported by the work that investigated the effect of the unification of resistance programs with low to moderate loads on athletic performance (Sannicandro et al, 2014;Pialoux et al, 2015).…”

“…Among the mechanisms of developing the neuromuscular performance in Table Tennis, we can mention the resistance training (i.e., muscle building) which is a physical progress to adjust biological properties of nerve and muscle tissue (Sarabia et al, 2015).…”

“…Besides, the survey of fitness program containing table tennis heavy loads (i.e., 80% of 1-RM) and their outcomes on the explosive performance has become the subject of that very few previous studies and has produced mixed results (Sarabia et al, 2015).…”

Pliometría y velocidad en jóvenes tenistas

“…Por lo tanto, el entrenamiento pliométrico toma importancia, debido a su componente explosivo, que ayuda a los tenistas a generar una transferencia de fuerza y responde a su necesidad de dinamismo al hacer movimientos multidireccionales (Fernández-Fernández et al, 2016). La efectividad del programa de entrenamiento pliométrico y dicha transferencia de fuerza dependen de la optimización de las cargas, adecuando el manejo de intensidad, volumen y frecuencia de los ejercicios (Sarabia et al, 2015); también se recomienda que estos programas se realicen entre 2 y 3 veces por semana, y se combinen con entrenamiento de otras capacidades, como parte del programa (Jastrzebski et al, 2014), para no tener sobrecargas en los tenistas y permitir tiempos óptimos de recuperación.…”