Optimizing young tennis players' development: Exploring the impact of emerging technologies on training effectiveness and technical skills acquisition.

The research analyzed the effect of weekly training plans, physical training frequency, AI-powered coaching systems, virtual reality (VR) training environments, wearable sensors on developing technical tennis skills, with and personalized learning as a mediator. It adopted a quantitative survey method, using primary data from 374 young tennis players. The model fitness was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), while the hypotheses were evaluated using structural equation modeling (SEM). The model fitness was confirmed through CFA, demonstrating high fit indices: CFI = 0.924, TLI = 0.913, IFI = 0.924, RMSEA = 0.057, and SRMR = 0.041, indicating a robust model fit. Hypotheses testing revealed that physical training frequency (ß = 0.198, p = 0.000), AI-powered coaching systems (ß = 0.349, p = 0.000), virtual reality training environments (ß = 0.476, p = 0.000), and wearable sensors (ß = 0.171, p = 0.000) significantly influenced technical skills acquisition. In contrast, the weekly training plan (ß = 0.024, p = 0.834) and personalized learning (ß = -0.045, p = 0.81) did not have a significant effect. Mediation analysis revealed that personalized learning was not a significant mediator between training methods/technologies and acquiring technical abilities. The results revealed that physical training frequency, AI-powered coaching systems, virtual reality training environments, and wearable sensors significantly influenced technical skills acquisition. However, personalized learning did not have a significant mediation effect. The study recommended that young tennis players' organizations and stakeholders consider investing in emerging technologies and training methods. Effective training should be given to coaches on effectively integrating emerging technologies into coaching regimens and practices.

SPinPong - Virtual Reality Table Tennis Skill Acquisition using Visual, Haptic and Temporal Cues.

Learning an advanced skill in sports requires a huge amount of practice and players also have to overcome both physical difficulties and the dullness of repetitive training. Returning a fast spin shot in table tennis could be taken as an example, as athletes need to judge the spin type and decide the racket pose within a second, which is difficult for beginners. Therefore, in this paper, we show how to design an intuitive training system to acquire this specific skill using different cues in Virtual Reality (VR). Using VR, we can easily provide visual information, attach haptic devices, and distort the speed of time, however, it is difficult to decide which types of information could benefit the training. In an initial study, by comparing real world training with VR training, we showed the effect of VR training and obtained some insights about augmentation for training spin shots. The training system was then improved by adding three new conditions using different visualizations and temporal distortions, as well as a haptic racket for creating realistic feedback. Finally, we performed a detailed experiment, which suggest a significant improvement of skill for each condition compared to the baseline, while a qualitative evaluation indicates that both users' motivation and their understanding of spin are increased by using our system.

Validation of the learning situations scale for sports coaches - ESATE: development process and validity evidence / Validação da escala de situações de aprendizagem para treinadores esportivos - ESATE: processo de elaboração e evidências de validade

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to present the first pieces of evidence on the validity of the Learning Situations Scale for Sports Coaches [Escala de Situações de Aprendizagem para Treinadores Esportivos] (ESATE) - referring to content; model fit; and internal consistencies. Four evaluating judges participated in the content validation. In the other procedures, the ESATE was applied to 104 tennis coaches. Initially, the ESATE had 25 items divided into three dimensions: Mediated, Non-Mediated and Internal Situations. The items were evaluated in terms of clarity of language, practical relevance and theoretical dimensionality. Those items that did not reach desired levels were reformulated or reallocated into another dimension. All items presented satisfactory indices (CVC ≥ 0.80) for clarity of language and practical relevance, and "substantial"/"almost perfect" indices of agreement between judges (K ≥ 0.79) for theoretical dimensionality. The model that best fitted the available data was the second-order three-dimensional model with 18 items. It presented "reasonable"/"good" fit indices. The internal consistency of the scale was classified as "good" (α = 0.873), whereas the internal consistency of its dimensions was "weak"/"good" (0.676 ≤ α ≤ 0.801). Thus, it is possible to state that the final version of the ESATE showed satisfactory psychometric qualities for the assessment of learning situations when applied to tennis coaches.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi apresentar as primeiras evidências de validade da Escala de Situações de Aprendizagem para Treinadores Esportivos (ESATE) - relativas ao conteúdo; ao ajuste do modelo; e às consistências internas. Na validação de conteúdo participaram quatro juízes-avaliadores. Nos demais procedimentos, a ESATE foi aplicada a 104 treinadores de tênis. Inicialmente a ESATE possuía 25 itens divididos em três dimensões: Situações Mediadas, Não Mediadas e Internas. Os itens passaram por avaliação de clareza de linguagem, pertinência prática e dimensionalidade teórica. Aqueles itens que não atingiram níveis desejados passaram por uma reformulação, ou foram realocados em outra dimensão. Todos os itens apresentaram índices satisfatórios (CVC ≥ 0,80) para clareza de linguagem e pertinência prática, e índices "substanciais"/"quase perfeitos" de concordância entre juízes (K ≥ 0,79) para dimensionalidade teórica. O modelo que melhor se adequou aos dados disponíveis foi o tridimensional de segunda ordem com 18 itens. Apresentou índices de ajustamento "razoáveis"/"bons". A consistência interna da escala foi classificada como "boa" (α = 0,873), e de suas dimensões foi "fraca"/"boa" (0,676 ≤ α ≤ 0,801). Assim, afirma-se que a versão final da ESATE demonstrou qualidades psicométricas satisfatórias para avaliação das situações de aprendizagem quando aplicada a treinadores de tênis.

Programas de entrenamiento para mejorar el rendimiento en jóvenes tenistas: revisión sistemática / Training programs to improve performance in young tennis players: systematic review

En los últimos años, el tenis ha crecido en popularidad, provocando que la competitividad se haya incrementado considerablemente en todos los grupos de edad. Los jugadores de tenis, para ser competitivos y alcanzar el éxito, requieren de un alto nivel de desarrollo en cuatro habilidades fundamentales: táctica, técnica, física y psicológica. A la hora de diseñar programas de entrenamiento para los tenistas, es importante tener en cuenta los requerimiento físicos y fisiológicos de los jugadores, ya que pueden variar según el nivel del jugador, el estilo de juego, el sexo o la superficie de la pista, entre otros. Estas habilidades fundamentales y requerimientos se deben trabajar en edades tempranas para lograr el éxito en edades adultas, por lo tanto, el objetivo de la presente revisión sistemática fue estudiar las características de los programas de entrenamiento que se han llevado a cabo en jóvenes tenistas para mejorar su rendimiento. Se realizó una estrategia de búsqueda electrónica utilizando las bases de datos PubMed, SPORTDiscus y los términos tennis, performance, adolescent, male, female, training e intervention. Veintitrés artículos fueron revisados y solo 7 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. El programa de entrenamiento pliométrico es el más utilizado para mejorar el rendimiento de los jóvenes tenistas, siendo un programa de corta duración, barato y de fácil cumplimentación para entrenadores y preparadores físicos de tenis. Esta revisión sistemática podría contribuir al diseño de futuros programas de entrenamiento para mejorar el rendimiento de jóvenes tenistas(AU)

In recent years, tennis has grown in popularity, causing competitiveness to have increased significantly in all age groups. Tennis players, in order to be competitive and achieve success, require a high level of development in four fundamental skills: tactical, technical, physical and psychological. When designing training programs for tennis players, it is important to take into account the physical and physiological requirements of the players, as they may vary according to player level, the play style, sex or track surface, among others. These fundamental skills and requirements must be worked at an early age to achieve success in adult ages, therefore, the systematic review objective was to study the training programs characteristics in young tennis players for improve their performance. An electronic search strategy was performed using PubMed, SPORTDiscus and the terms tennis, performance, adolescent, male, female, training and intervention. Twenty-three articles were reviewed and only seven met the inclusion criteria. The plyometric training program is the most used to performance improve of young tennis players, being a short, inexpensive and easy rogram for tennis trainers. This systematic review could contribute to future design for training programs to performance improve of young tennis players(AU)

Implementation of Motor Imagery during Specific Aerobic Training Session in Young Tennis Players.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of implementing motor imagery (MI) during specific tennis high intensity intermittent training (HIIT) sessions on groundstroke performance in young elite tennis players. Stroke accuracy and ball velocity of forehand and backhand drives were evaluated in ten young tennis players, immediately before and after having randomly performed two HIIT sessions. One session included MI exercises during the recovery phases, while the other included verbal encouragements for physical efforts and served as control condition. Results revealed that similar cardiac demand was observed during both sessions, while implementing MI maintained groundstroke accuracy. Embedding MI during HIIT enabled the development of physical fitness and the preservation of stroke performance. These findings bring new insight to tennis and conditioning coaches in order to fulfil the benefits of specific playing HIIT sessions, and therefore to optimise the training time.

Another day, another tennis coaching intervention, but does this one do what coaches purport?

A proficient serve is critical to successful tennis performance, and consequently coaches and players devote considerable time refining this stroke. In so doing, a wide variety of interventions are used or trialled, generally with very little empirical support. This study examined the efficacy of a commonly used service intervention, where players focus on exaggerating their finish (arabesque) position to promote specific changes in lower limb and trunk kinematics. The kinematics of eight high-performance junior players hitting flat serves were compared to the acute changes in kinematics elicited by the arabesque follow through position on serves using a 10-camera VICON MX motion analysis system. The significantly greater front (landing leg) hip flexion (p < 0.05) and forward trunk flexion (p < 0.05) confirmed the more exaggerated arabesque landing position following the arabesque instruction. The arabesque instruction resulted in increased frontal plane trunk range of motion and peak angular velocity in the forward swing, and increased leg drive during the drive phase. Practically, the results support the use of the arabesque instruction, effectively promoting the desired acute changes in trunk kinematics (i.e. increased frontal plane trunk rotation angular velocity) and leg drive (i.e. increased back knee extension angular velocity and front/back vertical hip velocity).

Empirical links between instruction with teaching tools and the hierarchical model of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in a Korean college tennis class.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the sequential process (i.e., social factors→mediators→motivation→consequences) underlying the Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation at the contextual level in instruction using three teaching tools, modified balls, a high net, and colored balls and cones in a college-level tennis class in South Korea. 126 students enrolled in a 15-week tennis class participated in the study. The results indicate that the three teaching tools positively affected students' perceived competence, with perceived competence's beta on intrinsic motivation equal to 0.45. Intrinsic motivation was found to reduce negative affect further by -0.33, thereby demonstrating the sequential process of the Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation.

Modifying equipment in early skill development: a tennis perspective.

PURPOSE: The International Tennis Federation recently launched a worldwide campaign advocating the use of equipment scaling for children learning to play tennis. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence that varying racquet sizes and ball compressions had on children's ability to play a forehand groundstroke. METHOD: This was a quantitative repeated-measures design experiment. Children were required to perform a forehand hitting task using each of 9 combinations of tennis racquets and balls (i.e., 3 racquet sizes x 3 ball compressions). Children's hitting performance was measured using a points system. The aim for the children was to score as many points as possible. Hitting technique was measured via video replay. RESULTS: Hitting performance was best when the smallest racquet combined with the ball with the least compression was used. The ball with the least compression also promoted 2 technique benefits: swinging the racquet from low to high and striking the ball in front and to the side of the body. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the benefits for young children playing with scaled racquets and low-compression balls. The findings are discussed with regards to their relevance to theories of skill acquisition.

Visual- spatial capacity: gender and sport differences in young volleyball and tennis athletes and non-athletes.

BACKGROUND: In the general population visual-spatial ability is better in males, due to the influence of biological and socio-cultural factors. We know that sport activity improves motor skills. The aim of this work is to determine if these gender differences exist in young athletes. The orientation test described by Terzi and standardized by Cesaroni, used to measure spatial ability, was carried out on 60 volleyball or 60 tennis athletes as well as on 60 non-sporting subjects. RESULTS: The data analysis revealed a worse performance for non-athletes in comparison with athletes in both components of test (p < 0.0001; p = 0.04), with no differences between the volleyball and tennis groups. As far as gender comparison is concerned, as expected in the non- sport group the males presented better values (p < 0.001; p = 0.006). However in both sports groups there weren't any gender differences in either part of the test (p = 0.18; p = 0.056). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that during athletic preparation in volleyball and tennis the specific training is able to develop spatial ability. Besides, boys and girls have similar performance demands and training experience. It appears that this specific training could be responsible for modifying gender differences in performance of spatial ability during adolescence.

Effects of two different resistance-training programs on mean tennis-serve velocity in adolescents.

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the transferability of 2 different resistance training protocols on service velocity and its precision consistency in junior tennis players. Thirty-six male athletes (15.03 ± 1.64 years) were randomly assigned to a machine-based resistance-training group (RG, n = 12), a plyometric training group (PG, n = 12), and a control group (CG, n = 12). For a period of 8 weeks, both intervention groups resistance trained 2 days per week in addition to their regular tennis training, whereas the CG had no extra training. Mean service velocity over 20 maximum-velocity serves increased significantly more in PG (3.78%; p < .05) when compared with CG, whereas no such changes could be found in the RG (1.18%; p > .05). Service precision did not change from pre- to posttest in all three groups (p > .05). Only the plyometric training program tested, improved mean service velocity over 20 maximum-velocity serves in junior tennis players but did not affect service precision.

An examination of preactivity and postactivity flexibility practices of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I tennis coaches.

The purpose of this study was to determine if National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's tennis programs are in compliance with suggested current preactivity and postactivity stretching protocols. Questionnaires were sent to NCAA Division I men's tennis programs in the USA. Seventy-six coaches (73 men and 3 women) participated in the study. The results of the Chi-Square analysis suggest that the number of years of head coaching experience had a significant relationship with the preactivity stretching routines employed by coaches (p = 0.029). A significant difference was found between preactivity stretching routines and the key sources of influence for the foundation of knowledge regarding preactivity stretching (p = 0.012). Some results indicate that many tennis coaches do not use current suggested practices for preactivity stretching. The results of this study indicate that certification may influence how well research guidelines are followed. Further research is needed to delineate how these factors affect coaching decisions.

A six-week neuromuscular training program for competitive junior tennis players.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a tennis-specific training program on improving neuromuscular indices in competitive junior players. Tennis is a demanding sport because it requires speed, agility, explosive power, and aerobic conditioning along with the ability to react and anticipate quickly, and there are limited studies that evaluate these indices in young players after a multiweek training program. The program designed for this study implemented the essential components of a previously published neuromuscular training program and also included exercises designed to improve dynamic balance, agility, speed, and strength. Fifteen junior tennis players (10 girls, 5 boys; mean age, 13.0 +/- 1.5 years) who routinely participated in local tournaments and high-school teams participated in the 6-week supervised program. Training was conducted 3 times a week, with sessions lasting 1.5 hours that included a dynamic warm-up, plyometric and jump training, strength training (lower extremity, upper extremity, core), tennis-specific drills, and flexibility. After training, statistically significant improvements and large-to-moderate effect sizes were found in the single-leg triple crossover hop for both legs (p < 0.05), the baseline forehand (p = 0.006) and backhand (p = 0.0008) tests, the service line (p = 0.0009) test, the 1-court suicide (p < 0.0001), the 2-court suicide (p = 0.02), and the abdominal endurance test (p = 0.01). Mean improvements between pretrain and posttrain test sessions were 15% for the single-leg triple crossover hop, 10-11% for the baseline tests, 18% for the service line test, 21% for the 1-court suicide, 10% for the 2-court suicide, and 76% for the abdominal endurance test. No athlete sustained an injury or developed an overuse syndrome as a result of the training program. The results demonstrate that this program is feasible, low in cost, and appears to be effective in improving the majority of neuromuscular indices tested. We accomplished our goal of developing training and testing procedures that could all be performed on the tennis court.

Habilidades especializadas do tênis: um estudo de intervenção na iniciação esportiva com crianças escolares / Tennis specialized skills: a beginning sport intervention study with school children

O objetivo desta pesquisa, de delineamento quase-experimental e correlacional, foi verificar a influência de um Programa de Iniciação ao Tênis (PIT) com duas abordagens, Clássica (AC) e de Contexto Motivacional para a Maestria (AM), no desempenho de habilidades motoras especializadas do Tênis (HMET) e investigar as associações entre o desenvolvimento das habilidades especializadas e as fundamentais. Participaram do estudo 61 crianças (29 meninas e 32 meninos), com idades de seis a 12 anos (M = 9,4), sendo 30 crianças da AC e 31 crianças da AM. Para as avaliações das crianças foram utilizados o Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) e o instrumento de Habilidades Motoras Especializadas do Tênis (HMET). O PIT foi desenvolvido em 26 semanas, implementando, para a AM os pressupostos da estrutura TARGET e do Sport Education Model e para a AC os modelos clássicos de aprendizagem do Tênis. Os resultados indicaram que 1) mudanças positivas e significantes (p < 0,01) nas HMET para todas as crianças; 2) interação não significante da faixa etária (p = 0,519) e do gênero (p = 0,24) nas HMET; 3) associação restrita a locomoção no pós teste entre habilidades especializadas e fundamentais para o grupo da maestria. A implementação de um Programa de Iniciação ao Tênis, baseado em propostas metodológicas eficazes e condizentes com as necessidades reais dos participantes, promove ganhos motores que contribuem para o desenvolvimento infantil.

The purpose of the present study, with a quasi-experimental and correlational design, was to verify the influence of a Beginning Tennis Program (BTP) with two approaches - the Classical approach (CA) and the Mastery Motivational Climate approach (MA) - on the development of specialized tennis motor skills (STMS) and the associations between the specialized skills and fundamental skills. The participantes were 61 children (29 girls and 32 boys), aged 6-12 yr. (M = 9.4). Thirty children were submitted to the CA and 31 to the MA. The children were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) and the Specialized Tennis Motor Skills instrument. The BTP was carried out in 26 weeks and implemented for MA the assumptions of the TARGET structure and the Sport Education Model, and for CA the classical models for tennis learning. Results indicated that 1) all children showed positive and significant changes (p < 0.01) in STMS; 2) there was a non significant interaction of age group (p = 0.519) and gender (p = 0.24) on STMS; 3) a restrict association in the post test between locomotor skills and specialized skills for the Mastery group. The implementation of a Beginning Tennis Program based on effective methodological proposals that are suitable for the participants' real needs fosters motor gains that reinforce children development.

Shoulder terminal range eccentric antagonist/concentric agonist strength ratios in overhead athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The agonist-antagonist strength relationship for shoulder external rotation and internal rotation was formerly described by the relatively more functional ratios of eccentric external rotator to concentric internal rotator moments, and eccentric internal rotator to concentric external rotator moments for the entire range of motion. The aim of this study was to provide descriptive data for terminal range eccentric antagonist/concentric agonist rotator cuff strength in overhead athletes. METHOD: The dominant and non-dominant shoulders of 40 asymptomatic military overhead athletes were tested through a range of 20 degrees of external rotation to 90 degrees of internal rotation using the Cybex NORM isokinetic dynamometer at a speed of 90 degrees /s. Differences between the dominant and non-dominant shoulders were assessed using the paired samples t-test. RESULTS: The terminal range ratios during external rotation (20 degrees of internal rotation - 10 degrees of external rotation) were found to be 2.09 and 1.58 for the dominant and non-dominant shoulders, respectively, whereas the terminal range ratios during internal rotation (60-90 degrees of internal rotation) were 1.03 and 1.19 for the dominant and non-dominant shoulders, respectively. These ratio differences between the dominant and non-dominant shoulders were significant (P<0.01 for external and internal rotation). CONCLUSION: The muscle torque ratios of eccentric antagonist/concentric agonist are different between dominant and non-dominant shoulders of skilled overhead athletes at terminal ranges. This functional assessment of strength testing that reflects dynamic shoulder joint stability during the throwing activity at these specific ranges may provide valuable information either during preventive exercise programs or in the evaluation of the injured shoulder of the overhead athlete. We recommended functional exercises that improve eccentric external rotation strength on the dominant shoulder during the rehabilitation and prevention programs in overhead athletes.

The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour 10 year age eligibility and professional development review.

Concerns have long existed over the participation of adolescent athletes in professional sports. In 2004, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour (WTA Tour) commissioned a Professional Development Advisory Panel (PDAP) to evaluate the WTA Tour's age eligibility rule (AER) and professional development programmes (PDPs) for female tennis players since their inception in 1995. More than 75% of the 628 respondents supported the principles of the AER, and 90% indicated a need for PDPs. Statistical analysis of WTA Tour players' careers found that premature retirements (players leaving the Tour at or before age 21) decreased significantly from 7% before the AER to less than 1% afterward, and median career length increased by 43%. The PDAP recommends that the WTA Tour continues a phased-in, developmentally appropriate AER, enhances the PDPs, and works with other sport governing bodies to coordinate rules and programmes at earlier ages to aid the transition of adolescents into adult sports.

The relative effectiveness of various instructional approaches in developing anticipation skill.

The relative effectiveness of explicit instruction, guided discovery, and discovery learning techniques in enhancing anticipation skill in young, intermediate-level tennis players was examined. Performance was assessed pre- and postintervention, during acquisition, and under transfer conditions designed to elicit anxiety through the use of laboratory and on-court measures. The 3 intervention groups improved from pre- to posttest compared with a control group (n = 8), highlighting the benefits of perceptual-cognitive training. Participants in the explicit (n = 8) and guided discovery (n = 10) groups improved their performance during acquisition at a faster rate than did the discovery learning (n = 7) group. However, the explicit group showed a significant decrement in performance when tested under anxiety provoking conditions compared with the guided discovery and discovery learning groups. Although training facilitated anticipation skill, irrespective of the type of instruction used in this experiment, guided discovery methods are recommended for expediency in learning and resilience under pressure.

The early evolution of modern sport in Latin America: a mainly English middle-class inspiration.

In any consideration of cultural diffusion, what matters is not only what happens to a cultural form when it arrives, but that it arrives. In the twentieth century, Latin America, like too many other areas of the world, has been a place of diplomatic turmoil, social inequality, political paranoia, capitalist exploitation and class conflict. However, despite all this, and through all this, it may be stated factually and without sentimentality, that it has also been a place where people have survived and thrived, worked, loved and played. Modern sport has brought to their play both unhappy moments of disillusion and disappointment and marvellous opportunities for illusion and pleasure. Modern sport, with its beauty spots and warts, is the reality and while there are things to criticize, there are also many things to applaud. Along with others, the English middle class played a not insignificant part in the arrival of modern sport in Latin America.

The ropes and challenge course: a quasi-experimental examination.

In answering the call for empirical documentation of the effect of ropes and challenge course participation on the psychosocial function and sport performance of athletes and teams, exploratory studies have identified postcourse changes in group cohesion and approaches to sport competition. The purpose of the current study was to utilize a pretest-posttest comparison group design to expand knowledge in this area. 35 members of a girls' high school tennis team participated. The 16 individuals who participated in a preseason program and the 19 individuals who did not comprised the treatment and comparison groups, respectively. Team members completed the Group Environment Questionnaire and the Sport Orientation Questionnaire four days prior to and two days after the course experience. A series of 2 x 2 analyses of variance, (group x time) run on each of the scales, gave a significant group x time interaction on one social cohesion scale but none for scores on the Sport Orientation Questionnaire. The findings are discussed in relation to research and the implementation of these programs with athletes.

Weight concern, body image, and abnormal eating in college women tennis players and their coaches.

In order to study weight concerns and eating disorders in women tennis players, 107 women tennis players and 26 women's tennis coaches from colleges across the U.S. responded to questionnaires relating to weight concern, body image, and abnormal eating. When evaluating drawings of female figures, players and coaches both considered the ideal body shape to be smaller than the healthiest one. Most players had normal weight, eating habits, and self-esteem; however, they also exhibited noticeable concern about their weight and appearance. Coaches revealed only moderate knowledge of weight related issues, believed such knowledge to be important, recognized that most of their players were of normal weight, and revealed somewhat negative feelings about overweight people. Players and coaches shared a healthy attitude toward tennis. The results of this study do not imply that college women tennis players are at greater risk of eating disorders than other young women, nor that college coaches are encouraging abnormal eating behaviors