Comparison of Two Aerobic Field Tests in Young Tennis Players

Abstract

COMPARISON OF TWO AEROBIC FIELD TESTS IN YOUNG TENNIS PLAYERSThis study compares the maximal responses of a new aerobic tennis field test, the NAVTEN to a known aerobic field test, often used with young tennis players, i. 208±9.5, respectively) and VO 2 peak (54.2±5.9 vs. 54.9±6.0 ml kg -1 min -1 ). Pearson correlations between both tests were 0.88 and 0.92 for VO 2 peak and maximal speed, respectively. NAVTEN yielded VO 2 peak values that are typical for active subjects of that age and are similar to the 20m SRT supporting its use to measure aerobic fitness of young tennis players in specific and entertaining field conditions. The fact that two thirds of the tennis players achieved a different ranking (± 1 rank) with the NAVTEN and the 20-m SRT, suggests that the NAVTEN may be more specific than the 20-m SRT to assess aerobic fitness of tennis players. From a practical point of view, the NAVTEN test is more specific and pedagogical for young tennis players even though both tests yield similar maximal values.

Classification of selected cardiopulmonary variables of elite athletes of different age, gender, and disciplines during incremental exercise testing

“…The VO 2peak values of our 12- to 13-year-old male and female tennis players were similar to the range documented by Fargeas-Gluck and Léger ( 2011 ) (54.2 ± 5.9 ml min −1 kg −1 ; recreational; 12.9 ± 0.3 years). When comparing with older racquet players higher and lower values of VO 2peak , respectively, have been reported.…”

Physiological responses and match characteristics in professional tennis players during a one-hour simulated tennis match

“…A number of studies have focused on physiological demands of tennis, investigating factors such as body composition and anthropometry (Fernandez et al, 2014; Girard and Millet, 2009), a heart rate (HR) (Baiget et al, 2005; Fernandez et al, 2009b, 2010), blood lactate concentration (LA-) (Martin et al, 2011; Mendez- Villanueva et al, 2010; Smekal et al, 2001), maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) (Botton et al, 2011; Fargeas-Gluck and Leger, 2012; Fernandez et al, 2010), the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (Fernandez et al, 2008, 2011; Mendez-Villanueva et al, 2010) and energy expenditure (EE) (Botton et al, 2011; Fernandez et al, 2009b, 2010). Further studies have investigated performance responses in matches, using methods such as time-motion analysis (Gomes et al, 2011; Vickery et al, 2014) and activity profiles (Fernandez et al, 2007, 2008, 2009b) in players of different levels.…”

On the Use of a Test to Exhaustion Specific to Tennis (TEST) with Ball Hitting by Elite Players

“…While the number of forehands and backhands was kept similar during TEST, the selected ball speed (mean: 86 km.h -1 ) corresponds well to what has already been recorded during tennis drills where players were instructed to hit balls with lift [ 13 ]. While the consistency in speed and length of balls thrown by a tennis coach is questionable even for experienced coaches [ 23 ], the use of an accurate and reliable throwing machine was a strong methodological point to standardize our experimental conditions. Unlike Fargeas-Gluck and Leger [ 23 ], we believe that the determination of the running speed obtained from TEST is not a discriminating criterion in that energy expenditure is related to the level of engagement in strikes.…”

“…While the consistency in speed and length of balls thrown by a tennis coach is questionable even for experienced coaches [ 23 ], the use of an accurate and reliable throwing machine was a strong methodological point to standardize our experimental conditions. Unlike Fargeas-Gluck and Leger [ 23 ], we believe that the determination of the running speed obtained from TEST is not a discriminating criterion in that energy expenditure is related to the level of engagement in strikes. During MSST, directional changes (180°) after 20-m shuttle runs are likely more intense than during TEST after shorter displacements ranging between 4 and 8 m.…”

“…Because it is commonly thought that it would allow a more reliable determination of ventilatory and lactate thresholds [ 5 ], stage durations of 2–3 min and a continuous mode of exercise have often been used in available test procedures [ 9 , 12 ], Nonetheless, Balmer et al [ 24 ] showed that the maximum power determined by one minute increments in load are also highly reliable [ 24 ]. Such stage durations have been adopted in other incremental tennis-specific procedures (NAVTEN, [ 23 ]) and Hit & Turn Tennis Test [ 10 ], while even shorter stage durations have been used elsewhere [ 11 ]. Moreover, relatively short protocols (< 20 min), as used here, allow reliable determination of O 2max with 1-min stages [ 25 ].…”