EVALUATION OF THE SPORT
Movement analysis
Figure 1. Displays all the major muscle movements that are experienced during tennis, as well as the muscles that are involved in these movements.
In tennis, one of the most common actions is striking with a racket. This usually consists of two phases; the preparatory phase and the striking phase. Most physical actions that are conducted in a tennis match are rotational (on the transverse plane and longitudinal axis) and involve three major joints: the wrist, the elbow and the shoulder. All major muscle groups are used, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, pectorals, biceps, rotater cuff muscles and deltoids (Ivančević, Jovanović, Đukić, Marković, & Dukić., 2008).
Figure 1. Displays all the major muscle movements that are experienced during tennis, as well as the muscles that are involved in these movements.
In tennis, one of the most common actions is striking with a racket. This usually consists of two phases; the preparatory phase and the striking phase. Most physical actions that are conducted in a tennis match are rotational (on the transverse plane and longitudinal axis) and involve three major joints: the wrist, the elbow and the shoulder. All major muscle groups are used, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, pectorals, biceps, rotater cuff muscles and deltoids (Ivančević, Jovanović, Đukić, Marković, & Dukić., 2008).
Physiological analysis
Tennis is described as an intermittent, non-cyclical anaerobic sport (Reid & Schneiker, 2007), where short peak loads are broken up by long phases of low intensity or aerobic recovery (Smekal et al., 2001). Smekal et al. (2001) tested the heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (V˙O2) of 20 male tennis players (age 26.0 ± 3.7, height 181.0 ± 5.7cm, weight 73.2 ± 6.8kg) over 270 competitive games. They recorded an average HR of 151 ± 19bpm and an average V˙O2 of 29.1 mL·kg-1·min-1 (51% of V˙O2max), suggesting that physiological energy demands of tennis match play are relatively low.
Tennis is described as an intermittent, non-cyclical anaerobic sport (Reid & Schneiker, 2007), where short peak loads are broken up by long phases of low intensity or aerobic recovery (Smekal et al., 2001). Smekal et al. (2001) tested the heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (V˙O2) of 20 male tennis players (age 26.0 ± 3.7, height 181.0 ± 5.7cm, weight 73.2 ± 6.8kg) over 270 competitive games. They recorded an average HR of 151 ± 19bpm and an average V˙O2 of 29.1 mL·kg-1·min-1 (51% of V˙O2max), suggesting that physiological energy demands of tennis match play are relatively low.
Injury analysis
Several studies (Pluim, Staal, Windler & Jayanthi, 2006; Kibler & Safran, 2005) have conducted literature reviews on tennis injuries. Chronic, microtrauma-related overuse injuries (e.g. rotator cuff tendinitis, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), chronic muscle strain and stress fractures) occur predominantly in the upper extremity, whereas acute injuries occur predominately in the lower extremity, particularly in the ankle (e.g. sprains, abrasions, contusions, and fractures).
EVALUATION OF THE ATHLETE
Movement Assessments
A movement assessment was conducted on the athlete. The results showed that the athlete displayed good basic strength and a reasonable technique, but work was needed to improve the athlete's core stability and their footwork speed during agility drills.
Training Background
The athlete is a professional tennis player who competes in Men's Singles. The athlete has followed a structured resistance training programme over the past three years, and through this can be considered to have acquired an advanced training status and exercise technique. The athlete is currently at the beginning of the off-season. Whilst the athlete has a history of injury, and suffered from lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) as a teenager, they have been free of injury for the past three years.
Training Goals
The athlete's primary resistance training goal is muscular endurance, as the coach has expressed their concerns about the athlete's lack of stamina during competition match play. The findings from the movement assessment have suggested that the athlete's secondary training goals should be to improve the athlete's footwork speed and core stability. Additionally, the coach has conveyed an interest in enhancing the athlete's strength, although the movement assessment suggests that the athlete already has a good basic strength.
tennis strength and conditioning
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