The Physical Demands of Wheelchair Tennis Match Play: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Wheelchair tennis, a globally popular sport, features a professional tour spanning 40 countries and over 160 tournaments. Despite its widespread appeal, information about the physical demands of wheelchair tennis is scattered across various studies, necessitating a comprehensive systematic review to synthesise available data. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to provide a detailed synthesis of the physical demands associated with wheelchair tennis, encompassing diverse factors such as court surfaces, performance levels, sport classes, and sexes. METHODS: We conducted comprehensive searches in the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases, covering articles from inception to March 1, 2023. Forward and backward citation tracking from the included articles was carried out using Scopus, and we established eligibility criteria following the Population, Exposure, Comparison, Outcome, and Study design (PECOS) framework. Our study focused on wheelchair tennis players participating at regional, national, or international levels, including both juniors and adults, and open and quad players. We analysed singles and doubles matches and considered sex (male, female), sport class (open, quad), and court surface type (hard, clay, grass) as key comparative points. The outcomes of interest encompassed play duration, on-court movement, stroke performance, and physiological match variables. The selected study designs included observational cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies (baseline data only). We calculated pooled means or mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and employed a random-effects meta-analysis with robust variance estimation. We assessed heterogeneity using Cochrane Q and 95% prediction intervals. RESULTS: Our literature search retrieved 643 records, with 24 articles meeting our inclusion criteria. Most available information focused on international male wheelchair tennis players in the open division, primarily competing in singles on hard courts. Key findings (mean [95% CI]) for these players on hard courts were match duration 65.9 min [55.0-78.8], set duration 35.0 min [28.2-43.5], game duration 4.6 min [0.92-23.3], rally duration 6.1 s [3.7-10.2], effective playing time 19.8% [18.9-20.7], and work-to-rest ratio 1:4.1 [1:3.7-1:4.4]. Insufficient data were available to analyse play duration for female players. However, for the available data on hard court matches, the average set duration was 34.8 min [32.5-37.2]. International male players on hard court covered an average distance per match of 3859 m [1917-7768], with mean and peak average forward speeds of 1.06 m/s [0.85-1.32] and 3.55 m/s [2.92-4.31], respectively. These players executed an average of 365.9 [317.2-422.1] strokes per match, 200.6 [134.7-299.0] per set, 25.4 [16.7-38.7] per game, and 3.4 [2.6-4.6] per rally. Insufficient data were available for a meta-analysis of female players' on-court movement and stroke performance. The average and peak heart rates of international male players on hard court were 134.3 [124.2-145.1] and 166.0 [132.7-207.6] beats per minute, and the average match heart rate expressed as a percentage of peak heart rate was 74.7% [46.4-100]. We found no studies concerning regional players or juniors, and only one study on doubles match play. CONCLUSIONS: While we present a comprehensive overview of the physical demands of wheelchair tennis, our understanding predominantly centres around international male players competing on hard courts in the open division. To attain a more comprehensive insight into the sport's physical requirements, future research should prioritise the inclusion of data on female and quad players, juniors, doubles, and matches played on clay and grass court surfaces. Such endeavours will facilitate the development of more tailored and effective training programmes for wheelchair tennis players and coaches. The protocol for this systematic review was registered a priori at the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (Registration https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2023.3.0060 ).

Influence of Successive Wheelchair Tennis Matches on Handgrip Strength in High-Level Male Players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on upper strength in high-level male players playing four successive wheelchair tennis (WT) matches. Eight international WT players took part in a competition, playing one match per day over four consecutive tournament days. Before and after the match, the maximal isometric handgrip strength was measured on the dominant and non-dominant hand. Additionally, each player was equipped with one radiofrequency and IMU device on their wheelchair to control his activity profile (distance). The results showed significant differences between successive matches, with decreasing dominant handgrip strength (p = 0.02, η2 = 0.043), and there was a significant interaction between successive matches and the accumulated distance (p = 0.013, η2 = 0.049). The pre- and post-match strength values of the dominant hand decreased throughout the matches over a number of days, and post hoc analysis showed differences between the first and fourth matches only in pre-match strength (49.06 ± 6.96 vs. 45.94 ± 7.1; p = 0.045; ES: 1.04) but not in the non-dominant hand. Successive matches caused a decrease in the strength values of the WT players, mainly in the dominant hand. These results should be taken into account in the recovery and prevention of injuries in competitions with successive matches.

Fitness testing in tennis: Influence of anthropometric characteristics, physical performance, and functional test on serve velocity in professional players.

The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between anthropometric variables, physical performance, and functional test with serve velocity regarding tennis players' level and to design regression models that effectively predict serve velocity. A sample of sixteen male tennis players participated in this study (national level = 8, professional level = 7). Anthropometric measurements (body mass, height, body mass index and body segments) and physical test (hand strength, countermovement jump, jump on serve, and serve velocity) and functional test (medicine ball throw overhead and shot put) were performed. No differences in anthropometrics and physical test were found between national and professional levels. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05, ranging for 0.603 to 0.932) was found between some anthropometrics measurements (body mass, height, arm, forearm, and leg segments), physical parameters (hand strength, countermovement jump) and functional test (medicine ball throw shot put and overhead) with serve velocity for all tennis players. Multiple regression analysis indicated that medicine ball throw shot put was the most important test to explain serve velocity (r2 = 0.869). The results showed how the combination of physical and anthropometric factors have an impact on serve velocity. In addition, a new functional fitness test (medicine ball throw shot put) is proposed as an alternative to traditional medicine ball throw overhead due to its high reproducibility (inter-trial reliability) and predictive validity values, as well as by multi-segmental coordination movement similar to tennis serve.

Gender Differences in Physical Fitness Characteristics in Professional Padel Players.

The aims of the present study were to examine the fitness characteristics of professional padel players and to determine differences in physical performance regarding players' gender. Thirty professional padel players (men: n = 15, age = 27.4 ± 6.8 years, height = 177.9 ± 4.0 cm; women: n = 15, age = 30.0 ± 4.2 years, height = 166.6 ± 4.8 cm) completed a 4-day evaluation process, including: isometric handgrip strength, sit and reach, 10 × 5 shuttle test, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), Abalakov test, one-repetition maximum test (bench press, leg extension, leg curl, lat pulldowns, overhead press, and shoulder press), anthropometry and VO2 max tests. The men players had higher values in terms of weight, height, one maximum repetition, jump tests (CMJ and ABK) and VO2 max test than the women (p < 0.005). By contrast, the women had higher values for fat mass (p = 0.005; ES: 2.49). The values from this multifaceted test battery can be a useful guide for coaches regarding players' development in future evaluations and monitoring.

Competitive Evolution of Professional Wheelchair Tennis from the Paralympic Games in Athens 2004 to Rio 2016: An Observational Study.

The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the activity pattern and technical-tactical parameters of men's wheelchair tennis matches from the Paralympic Games (PG) in Athens 2004 (A), Beijing 2008 (B), London 2012 (L) and Rio 2016 (R). A total of 5702 shots from twelve final round matches were analysed. Activity patterns (e.g., rally duration, shots per rally…) and technical effectivity (e.g., errors, winners…) were recorded. An ANOVA test with post hoc pairwise comparisons was conducted to compare the mean differences among matches of different PG. Game duration, points and shots per game differed according to the PG (R and L > B and A). Rally duration (p < 0.001) and shots per rally (p < 0.001) were longer at R and L than B and A. The effectivity of the last shots was different, the errors have been increasing and the winners have been decreasing. The main finding indicates that activity patterns and technical parameters have evolved mainly between A and B to L and R. This study gives an overview of the development of the sport over time, and coaches can use this information to adapt their training sessions to the current needs of the competition.

Key Physical Factors in the Serve Velocity of Male Professional Wheelchair Tennis Players.

The aim of this study was to identify the physical factors related to serve speed in male professional wheelchair tennis players (WT). Nine best nationally-ranked Spanish male wheelchair tennis players (38.35 ± 11.28 years, 63.77 ± 7.01 kg) completed a neuromuscular test battery consisting of: isometric handgrip strength; serve velocity; 5, 10 and 20 m sprint (with and without racket); agility (with and without racket); medicine ball throw (serve, forehand and backhand movements); and an incremental endurance test specific to WT. Significantly higher correlations were observed in serve (r = 0.921), forehand (r = 0.810) and backhand (r = 0.791) medicine ball throws showing a positive correlation with serve velocity. A regression analysis identified a single model with the medicine ball throw serve as the main predictor of serve velocity (r2 = 0.847, p < 0.001). In conclusion, it is recommended that coaches and physical trainers include medicine ball throw workouts in the training programs of WT tennis players due to the transfer benefits to the serve speed.

Ball Impact Position in Recreational Male Padel Players: Implications for Training and Injury Management.

Racket sports such as padel are characterized by the repetition of unilateral gestures, which can lead to negative adaptations like asymmetries or overuse musculoskeletal injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in ball impact positions (i.e., forward or backward of the center of gravity) in nine stroke types in a sample of forty-eight recreational male padel players. The sample included 14,478 shots corresponding to 18 matches from six tournaments. Forty-eight male padel players were classified into two groups according to their level: trained (n = 24) and novice (n = 24). Type of stroke and ball impact position were registered using a computerized motion tracking video system. The ball impact position was computed from the distance (cm) between the coordinates of the ball and the player's center of gravity. Results show that trained players hit the ball in a more backward position (from 11 to 25 cm, compared to novice) in serve and offensive strokes (volleys, trays, and smashes) but used more forward strokes (from 7 to 32 cm, compared to novice) in defensive shots (groundstrokes, wall strokes, and lobs). Because the current differential variables are trainable and demonstrated to be of relevance for performance, the findings of this study may assist padel coaches in designing proper training plans to improve effectiveness and to prevent musculoskeletal injuries regarding the type of stroke and ball impact position. Such knowledge may constitute a very important factor affecting technique, biomechanics, and injury management in padel players of different competitive levels.

Concurrent validity, inter-unit reliability and biological variability of a low-cost pocket radar for ball velocity measurement in soccer and tennis.

This study aimed to analyse the (i) concurrent validity, (ii) inter-unit reliability, and (iii) biological variability of a low-cost device called Pocket radar. Eleven men recreational soccer players performed 6 kicks to a soccer ball, whereas 13 men recreational tennis players conducted 10 shots to a tennis ball. All executions were simultaneously measured by two Pocket units and the Stalker radar (reference criterion). The within-subject variation among the executions was used for the biological variability analysis. The level of agreement and magnitude of errors included the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), bias, and the smallest detectable change (SDC). A good agreement (ICC ≥ 0.98, r ≥ 0.98) and very low magnitude of error (SDC ≤ 7.70 km·h-1, bias ≤ 3.19 km·h-1) were found between both Pocket units and the Stalker, in soccer and tennis. Inter-unit analysis found limited technical errors (SDC ≤ 5.49 km·h-1, bias ≤ -0.93 km·h-1) and nearly perfect agreement (ICC = 0.99, r ≥ 0.98) in both sessions. These technical errors were lower than the variations due to the biological variability, in soccer (SDC = 2.47 km·h-1 vs. SDC ≥ 8.6 km·h-1) and tennis (SDC = 5.49 km·h-1 vs. SDC ≥ 21.95 km·h-1). These findings suggest the Pocket radar as a valid and highly sensitive tool for BV measurement.

Stroke Analysis in Padel According to Match Outcome and Game Side on Court.

The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of padel strokes, their effectiveness, direction, and court zone, comparing between the winning and losing pairs in the match and the playing side of the players. The sample included 8441 strokes corresponding to 1055 points out of a total of nine padel matches in the First National Category. The variables analyzed were type of stroke, court area, effectiveness and directions of the strokes, match outcome, and game side. Matches were analyzed through systematic observation. The results showed that the winning pair made a significantly higher percentage of winners, and cross-court smashes and volleys from the offensive zone. In addition, players on the left side executed a higher percentage of cross-court and winning shots than the players on the right side. Such knowledge may constitute a useful guide in the design of appropriate game strategies and specific training sessions based on the shots that will help players to win the match according to the role of the player and depending on their game side.

Analysis of Performance Parameters of the Smash in Male and Female Professional Padel.

The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution and effectiveness of the different types of smash in professional padel according to the area and direction of the strokes and the gender. Through systematic observation, 1.015 smashes from eight finals (four men's and four women's) of the professional matches were analyzed. The smashes were categorized into four types of smash: tray, flat, topspin and off the wall. The results showed both men's and women's that the tray is the most used smash by padel players, presenting a percentage of point continuity of almost 90%. The flat and topspin smashes are the strokes that achieve the highest percentage of winning points (near 60%), although this efficiency decreases significantly when the players move away from the net area (p < 0.05), especially in the flat smash. Men perform a higher percentage of winning smashes than women, mainly in the flat smash (p = 0.02). Furthermore, with regards to direction, flat and off the wall smashes are predominantly down the line strokes and women perform significantly more cross court topspin smashes than men (p = 0.005). The results shown could be used to design tasks and exercises by padel coaches at professional players.

Influencia de dos tipos de calentamiento sobre la fuerza explosiva del tren inferior en estudiantes de Educación Física / Influence of two types of warm-ups on the explosive force of the lower body in physical education students

Resumen Influencia de dos tipos de calentamiento sobre la fuerza explosiva del tren inferior en estudiantes de educación física. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 18(1), 1-13. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar las posibles influencias de dos tipos de calentamiento (tradicional y específico) sobre la fuerza explosiva del tren inferior. Se realizaron dos pruebas (salto con contramovimiento -CMJ- y sprint 5 metros) sobre tres grupos: grupo sin calentamiento (GSC); grupo de calentamiento tradicional (GCT), que incluía movilidad articular, carrera continua y estiramientos estáticos; y grupo de calentamiento específico (GCE), que incluía movilidad articular, carrera continua, estiramientos dinámicos y pliometría. Se realizó un pre y post test y se utilizó la prueba de ANOVA de medidas repetidas para0020comparar la influencia del tipo de calentamiento sobre las pruebas entre los diferentes grupos. Posteriormente, se calculó el tamaño del efecto a través de g de Hedges. Los resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el pre y post test en el GCT y en el GCE; además, se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < .05) entre GSC y el GCE en el post test solo en la prueba de salto. Realizar estiramientos dinámicos y pliometría como parte del calentamiento parece influir positivamente en la capacidad de salto vertical. Los datos sugieren que los profesores de educación física deberían utilizar calentamientos con estiramientos dinámicos y pliometría para mejorar el rendimiento en actividades que incluyan el salto.

Abstract Influence of two types of warm-ups on the explosive force of the lower body in physical education students. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 18(1), 1-13. The present study aimed to determine the possible influences of two types of warm-ups (traditional and specific) on the explosive strength of the lower body. Two tests were conducted (Counter Movement Jump-CMJ and 5-meter sprint) in three groups: a group without warm-up (GSC), a group with traditional warm-ups (GCT) including articulated mobility, continuous running, and static stretching; and another group with specific warm-ups (GCE), including articulated mobility, continuous running, dynamic stretching, and plyometric exercises. A pre and post-test was conducted, and ANOVA was used to compare the influence of the type of warm-ups on tests between groups. Subsequently, the effect size was calculated using Hedges' g. Results showed statistically significant differences between the pre and post-test in GCT and in GCE; furthermore, statistically significant differences (p < .05) were found in CMJ test between GSC and GCE, in the post-test. Performing dynamic stretching and plyometric exercises as part of the warm-ups seems to positively influence the ability to jump vertically. Data suggests that physical education coaches should use warm-ups with dynamic stretching and plyometric exercises to enhance performance in activities that include jumping.

Resumo Influência de dois tipos de aquecimento sobre a força explosiva dos membros inferiores em estudantes de educação física. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 18(1), 1-13. O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar as possíveis influências de dois tipos de aquecimento (tradicional e específico) na força explosiva dos membros inferiores. Foram realizadas duas provas (salto com contramovimento - CMJ - e sprint de 5 metros) em três grupos: grupo sem aquecimento (GSA); grupo com aquecimento tradicional (GAT), que incluía mobilidade articular, corrida contínua e alongamentos estáticos; e grupo de aquecimento específico (GAE), que incluía mobilidade articular, corrida contínua, alongamentos dinâmicos e pliometria. Foram realizados um pré-teste e pós-teste e foi utilizada a prova da ANOVA de medidas repetidas para comparar a influência do tipo de aquecimento nas provas entre os diferentes grupos. Posteriormente, foi calculado o tamanho do efeito mediante o g de Hedges. Os resultados mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre o pré-teste e o pós-teste no GAT e no GAE; além disso, foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p < 0,05) entre GSA e o GAE no pós-teste, somente na prova de salto. Realizar alongamentos dinâmicos e pliometria como parte do aquecimento parece influenciar positivamente na capacidade de salto vertical. Os dados sugerem que os professores de educação física deveriam utilizar aquecimentos com alongamentos dinâmicos e pliometria para melhorar o desempenho em atividades que incluam salto.

Validity of Skin, Oral and Tympanic Temperatures During Exercise in the Heat: Effects of Wind and Sweat.

This experiment investigates the validity of six thermometers with different measuring sensors, operation and site of application, to estimate core temperature (Tc) in comparison to an ingestible thermometric sensor based on quartz crystal technology. Measurements were obtained before, during and after exercise in the heat, controlling the presence of air-cooling and skin sweating. Twelve well-trained men swallowed the ingestible thermometer 6 h before the trial. After pre-exercise resting measurements at 20 °C, subjects entered a heat chamber held at 40 °C. Exercise in the heat consisted of 60 min of pedalling on cycle ergometer at 90% of the individually determined first ventilatory threshold. Results reveal that wind and skin sweat invalidate the use of skin infrared thermometry to estimate Tc during exercise in the heat. However, better Tc estimations were obtained in wind-restricted situations. We detected important differences between same-technology devices but different models and brands. In conclusion, there are important limitations to assess Tc accurately using non-invasive thermometers during and after exercise in the heat. Because some devices showed better validity than others did, we recommended using tympanic Braun®, and non-contact skin infrared Medisana® or Visiofocus® in wind-restricted and no sweat conditions to estimate Tc during exercise in the heat.

Differences in game statistics between winning and losing for male wheelchair tennis players in Paralympics Games

Aims: The aim of the present study was to analyze the differences in wheelchair tennis game statistics between winning and losing sets. Methods: Data were collected from the 139 sets of 64 matches played by 64 males' players in the 2012 Paralympics Games. The variables studied were grouped in four groups: variables related to serve, to return, to winners and errors, and to net point. Data was collected from official website of the Paralympics Games. A univariate (Wilcoxon test) and multivariate (discriminant) analysis of data was done to the study the four groups of variable in relation to the result of the set (win or lose). Results: The result showed that winning players commit fewer errors and achieved more winning shots than losing players. Conclusion: The values presented could be used as a reference for practice and competition in wheelchair tennis players.(AU)