Our results support the hypothesis that recreational players transmit more shock impact from the racket to the elbow joint and use larger wrist flexor and extensor EMG activities at follow-through phase of the backhand stroke. Follow-through control is proposed as a critical factor for reduction of shock transmission. Clinicians or trainers should instruct beginners to quickly release their grip tightness after ball-to-racket impact to reduce shock impact transmission to the wrist and elbow.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the internal and external rotation of the dominant and nondominant shoulders of adolescent female tennis players. The correlation between the shoulder rotation range of motion and the player’s ranking was also analyzed. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-one female junior tennis players who were 13 to 18 years old participated in this study. A standard goniometer was used to measure the internal and external rotation of both glenohumeral joints. The difference in internal and external rotation was calculated as the glenohumeral rotation deficit. The year-end ranking of each player was obtained from the Chinese Taipei Tennis Association. [Results] The internal rotation of the dominant shoulder was significantly smaller than that of the nondominant shoulder. Moreover, player ranking was significantly and negatively correlated with the internal rotation range of motion of both shoulders. On the other hand, the correlations of the internal and external rotation ranges of motion with the age, height, and weight were not significant. [Conclusion] The flexibility of the glenohumeral internal rotation is smaller in the dominant shoulder than of the nondominant shoulder in these junior female tennis players. Flexibility of the glenohumeral internal rotation may be a factor affecting performance in junior female tennis players.

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Background and PurposePoor balance confidence and functional balance can lead to falls in community‐dwelling older adults. Exercises utilising slow movements have been shown to improve balance in this population. It is hypothesised that by superimposing the use of slow movements onto Taekwondo Poomsae, there could be similar benefits in improving balance confidence and functional balance in older adults.MethodsThis was a pre ‐ experimental study. Fifteen community‐dwelling older adults received 11 weeks of Slow Poomsae (SP) training using a proposed 50‐min protocol. Pre‐ and post‐intervention scores of the Activities‐Specific Balance Confidence Simplified Scale (ABC‐S), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and ‘Timed Up and Go’ test (TUG) assessments were recorded and compared.ResultsFifteen eligible participants with mean and standard deviation (SD) of age 73.8 (6.05) years completed the study. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) were seen in the pre‐post differences between ABC‐S, BBS, DGI, and TUG, with median score changes of 15 points (Z = −3.408), 3 points (Z = −3.306), 3 points (Z = −2.852), and 3.5 s (Z = −3.296) respectively.ConclusionThe preliminary findings support the efficacy of SP as a potential balance training programme that is safe for healthy older adults to improve their balance confidence and functional balance. More research is required on this topic that leans towards a large population blinded randomised controlled trial with a longer intervention period and inclusion of a follow‐up to further elucidate the effects of long‐term practice and novelty of SP.