Effects of lower limb power, aerobic capacity and hand grip strength on the technical efficiency of young tennis players

Introduction: Tennis is a sport with no time limit. This can result in matches lasting less than an hour or up to five hours. This variability requires that high-competition tennis athletes be trained both at an anaerobic level for better performance, and at an aerobic level, to help with recovery between points, during the game. Methods: This cross-sectional study intended to analyse how lower limb power, aerobic capacity and hand grip strength influences the technical efficiency of tennis players. Training among young tennis players provides a positive and crucial role in building technique effectiveness, so early but convenient and adapted preparations through training play an essential role in helping these young players to improve their skills in this game. Twenty-six athletes, aged between 8 and 16 (M=11.26±2.25), 18 males (69.2%) and 8 females (30.8%) were included. They performed the Hand-Grip strength test, the aerobic capacity was tested via one-mile (1609 meters) test. For technical efficiency, they performed 50 right and 50 left shots, checking which ones reached the area inside and outside the tennis court and the leg power capacity through the Chronojump system. Non-parametric tests were applied, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis and also Rho Spearman correlations between variables. Results: Comparisons between level of training (p≤0.02) and years of practice (p≤0.04) revealed that all the variables had a direct and positive influence on the technical efficiency of these tennis players. As for correlation results, all independent variables have a strong correlation with tennis technical efficiency (0.480 to 0.736). Conclusions: Findings suggest that higher physical fitness capacities are associated with greater technical efficiency.

Keywords

Tennis Children Lower limb power Aerobic capacity Hand-grip strength Technical efficiency National circuit

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/10389

Citation

HONÓRIO, Samuel [et al.] (2025) - Effects of lower limb power, aerobic capacity and hand grip strength on the technical efficiency of young tennis players [in press]. Comparative Exercise Physiology.