Examining the Relation between Physical Characteristics of 10-12 Year-Old Male Tennis Players and Forehand and Backhand Stroke Speeds

Abstract

In the present study, the purpose was to examine the effects of some physical characteristics on the stroke speed in forehand and backhand techniques in tennis. The Study Group consisted of 10-12-year-old tennis players of Isparta Süleyman Demirel University Tennis Courts (mean age 10.15±.37 (years), mean height 1.46±.06 (m) mean body weight 38.77±6.67 (kg), mean sports age 4.76±1.16 (years)). Forehand and backhand strokes were performed in a closed tennis court to control the effect of the weather in measuring ball speed. The athletes warmed up until they reached maximal forehand and backhand speed levels. Three minutes after the athletes warmed up, the tests were started. They were asked to perform forehand and backhand strokes at 8 maximal speed. Sports Radar, Power Madd was used to measure the ball speed. The measurements of the radar used to measure the speed of the ball were taken at the time of the strokes and immediately after the strokes. The strokes were made in line with the rules of tennis, towards the court, and when the ball stroke the net or when it went outside the baseline (out), these strokes were not recorded. The feedbacks of the strokes were reported to the athletes to spend maximal effort. All strokes were directed towards the parallel point of the court. The coach behind the file sent the balls to the athletes for strokes, and all strokes were evaluated by two tennis coaches. The “Descriptive Statistics” and “Correlation Analysis” in the statistical package program to analyze the data. Significance level was taken as “p < 0.05”. As a result, sports scientists and coaches must pay attention to technical development levels of athletes as well as their physical characteristics in the preparation of a training program for 10-12 year old male tennis players. It can be considered that strength development can be achieved with an accurate technique; and depending on this, the speed of the ball will increase. Since physical development is mostly at directly proportional to age, it is considered that ball speed will be affected as the age increases.