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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Research
article
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KEY FACTORS AND TIMING PATTERNS IN THE TENNIS FOREHAND OF DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS |
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Johannes Landlinger1  ,
Stefan Lindinger1,2, Thomas Stöggl1,2, Herbert Wagner1,2
and Erich Müller1,2 |
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1Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, Austria, 2CD-Laboratory "Biomechanics in Skiing", University of Salzburg, Austria |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2010) 9, 643 - 651 |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| The main purpose of the present study was to quantify and compare
selected kinematic variables and their timing during the tennis forehand
of different skill levels. An eight-camera 400 Hz, Vicon motion analysis
system recorded kinematic data of six ATP- professionals (elite) and seven
high performance (HP) players when shots were played cross court and down
the line. Timing of the maximum angles, linear and angular velocities was
measured prior to and after impact. A total of twelve strokes per subject
were analyzed from the beginning to the end of horizontal racquet movement.
Significant differences (p < 0.01) and large effect sizes were observed
between elite and HP players in the timing of maximum pelvis (-0.075 ± 0.008
vs. -0.093 ± 0.012 s) and trunk angular velocities (-0.057 ± 0.004 vs. -0.075
± 0.011 s) before impact. The elite group showed a tendency (p < 0.05)
towards higher peak horizontal shoulder (3.0 ± 0.4 vs. 2.5 ± 0.4 m·s-1)
and racquet velocities (33.1 ± 2.4 vs. 31.1 ± 1.9 m·s-1) compared to the
HP players. Depending on the situation (cross court vs. down the line),
different peak hip, racquet and separation angles were found for both groups.
Similar peak values were detected between groups for maximum angular velocities
and displacement of key variables that had been selected for analysis. The
findings of this study can be vital for successful player development, improved
performance or injury prevention. The later occurrence of maximum angular
pelvis and trunk rotations were the main reasons for the tendency towards
higher horizontal shoulder and racquet velocities in the elite group.
Key words: Biomechanics, racquet speed, kinematics, proximal-to-distal sequencing. |
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