Effects of a Tennis Match on Perceived Fatigue, Jump and Sprint Performances on Recreational Players

Abstract

Background: Tennis is an intermittent sport, characterized by hundreds of repetitive explosive efforts, including accelerations, and jumps. A single match can last up to 5 hours and players are called to play several matches often separated by less than 48h of recovery. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effects of a standardized tennis match on perceived fatigue and jump and sprint performances on a group of recreational tennis players and to observe if such variables were affected by residual effects of fatigue 24 hours after the match. Methods: Twelve recreational tennis players performed a 120 min match. Before, immediately after and 24h after the match, players completed a set of three countermovement jumps, three 10m sprints, and reported their perception of general fatigue. Results: Significant differences between the three conditions have been found for the perceived fatigue: indeed fatigue was higher both in the immediate post (F(1,10)= 54.422, η2 = 0.845, p<0.001) and 24h post-match (F(1,10)= 10.947, η2 = 0.523, p=0.08), with respect to the pre-match condition. No significant differences were detected in the other variables. Conclusion: During a tournament, the performance of tennis players may be weakened and the recovery prejudiced. To identify fluctuations of and factors linked to fatigue may help tennis practitioners to apply adequate recovery strategies with athletes, limiting performance decrements within a tournament, and indirectly preventing injuries.

Gender Differences in Neuromuscular, Haematological and Urinary Responses during Padel Matches

“…The reported data herein suggest that SC did not cause neuromuscular fatigue in the lower body. These results fall in line with those reported in other racket sports, such as tennis [ 19 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ] or badminton [ 37 , 43 ]. Nevertheless, other authors have obtained contradictory results for the height and mean power in CMJ after playing a tennis match [ 50 ].…”

Exercise-Induced Fatigue Impairs Change of Direction Performance and Serve Precision among Young Male Tennis Players

“…A player who in the intense stages of the match, during accumulated fatigue, can be more precise in performing serves and faster in moving towards the ball and covering the court, creates a greater advantage to win the match. These findings are in accordance with previous studies [ 20 , 24 ], where fatigue significantly affects abilities related to speed and explosiveness, but also certain neurophysical aspects which considerably contribute to sports performance in racket sports. The decrease of agility upon the appearance of fatigue which is represented in all changes of direction during the implementation of the standardized T -test for assessment of ability to change direction [ 24 ].…”

“…These findings are in accordance with previous studies [ 20 , 24 ], where fatigue significantly affects abilities related to speed and explosiveness, but also certain neurophysical aspects which considerably contribute to sports performance in racket sports. The decrease of agility upon the appearance of fatigue which is represented in all changes of direction during the implementation of the standardized T -test for assessment of ability to change direction [ 24 ]. On a sample of 292 tennis players and 146 played matches in the main draw of the US Open Grand Slam tournament, it was determined that fatigue significantly affects performance and tactical adjustment during a tennis match, and therefore also reduces the velocity in changes of direction in any way [ 25 ].…”

“…The results of this, but also of previous studies [ 24 , 25 ], confirm the presumption that tennis players who are subject to fatigue need more time for complete regeneration, and that therefore also their motor abilities are reduced when compared to the beginning of the training or match. The average results for serve precision prior to the fatigue protocol was six successful serves, while after the fatigue protocol the number was significantly reduced to an average of four successful serves.…”