Physical performance changes after unsupervised training during the autumn/spring semester break in competitive tennis players

Abstract

Background: All competitive tennis players take time away from coaches throughout the year; however, little information is available as to the short-term physiological effect of these breaks. Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of a 5 week off-campus structured, yet unsupervised, break from regular training in top collegiate tennis players. Methods: A nationally ranked collegiate NCAA Division I male tennis team (n = 8) performed a test battery in December and again in January after a 5 week period of recommended, yet unsupervised, training. The tests performed were 5, 10 and 20 m sprints, spider agility test, medicine ball power throws, standing long jump, Wingate anaerobic power test, VO 2max , push-up and sit-up test, grip strength and range of motion (ROM) measures (goniometer) of the shoulder, hip, hamstring and quadriceps. Conclusions: These results suggest that a 5 week interruption of normal training can result in significant reductions in speed, power and aerobic capacity in competitive tennis players, likely owing to poor compliance with the prescribed training regimen. Therefore, coaches and trainers might benefit from techniques (eg, pre-and post-testing) requiring athletes' to have accountability for unsupervised workouts.

Performance Enhancement following a Strength and Injury Prevention Program: A 26-Week Individualized and Supervised Intervention in Adolescent Female Volleyball Players

“…Consequently, the players' jumping performance was probably poorer due to training reductions during the summer and then, after one season of regular training, the players in both groups experienced normal adaptation to sport. Previous studies have shown that the physical performance, such as jumping performance and throwing velocity, were enhanced during one season of ordinary training or preparation for competition in sports 21,30 and that interruptions in normal training can result in physical capacity reductions 31 . Since jumping is one of the most important tasks in volleyball, it is likely that this ability will improve during one season of volleyball training.…”

Heart Rate Variability in an Elite Female Alpine Skier: a Case Study

“…Based on our finding, it appears there is specific need to address the challenges of obtaining HRV recordings throughout the competitive season. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining compliance during all periods of the season by coaches may help mitigate this problem (21).…”

Low Sampling Rates Bias Outcomes from the Wingate Test

“…This performance-based test requires little equipment or experience to perform and is generally hypothesized to be a refl ection of anaerobic capacity [3,9,11,21] . Some authors have suggested that the WAnT may not be the most appropriate test for assessing anaerobic power in athletes [22,32] . A common concern in these studies was the applicability of a cycle ergometer test for assessing anaerobic power in athletes who primarily perform sprinting activities.…”