Kinematic differences in upper limb joints between flat and topspin forehand drives in competitive male tennis players

Abstract

The topspin tennis forehand drive has become a feature of modern game; yet, as compared to the serve, there has been little research analysing its kinematics. This is surprising given that there is considerably more variation in the execution of the topspin forehand. Our study is the first to examine the amplitude of upper limb joint rotations that produce topspin in the forehand drives of 14 male competitive tennis players using video-based motion analysis. Humerothoracic abduction (-)/adduction (+), extension (-) /flexion (+), and external (-)/internal (+) rotation, elbow extension (-) /flexion (+) and forearm supination (-)/pronation (+), wrist extension (-)/flexion (+) and ulnar (-)/radial (-) deviation were computed. Our findings revealed that the generation of topspin demanded more humeral extension and forearm pronation but less humeral internal rotation angular displacement during the forwardswing. The follow-through phase of the topspin shot was characterised by greater humeral internal rotation and forearm pronation, and reduced humeral horizontal adduction when compared to the flat shot. This study provides practitioners with a better understanding of the upper limb kinematics associated with the topspin tennis forehand drive production to help guide skill acquisition interventions and physical training.

The effect of spin level and ball exit speed on forearm muscle activity in the tennis forehand stroke

“…Our finding that flat forehands have a significantly higher ball speed than topspin forehands is in agreement with a study by Genevois et al. 10 Although faster racket head velocity results in a greater speed of the ball leaving the racket, 12 as mentioned previously, the study by Rota et al. 14 found no significant difference in ECR and FCR activity levels for flat forehands hit at different speeds.…”

“…36 found stress fractures of the second metacarpal in the hand were associated with increased tennis playing intensity and may be associated with use of the semi-western or western forehand grip. Although previous studies typically grouped the different forehand grip positions together, 10,14 the separate analysis of the different forehand grip positions on the potential development of elbow tendinopathy could provide vital information for coaches when recommending the different forehand grip positions.…”

“…9 In the context of recreational tennis, although topspin is the most effective method for controlling the ball in the court, recreational players will typically first learn to hit the ball flat before they learn topspin. 10 There are three levels of spin in a forehand stroke; minimal ball rotation (flat), moderate level of forward rotation (topspin) and high level of topspin (lob). 11 Topspin is generated on the ball by the racket following a low-to-high path (wrist abduction) through the impact zone, while faster racket head velocity results in greater ball exit speed during the forehand stroke.…”

“…12 Kinematic studies have shown a decrease in horizontal and increase in vertical racket head velocity between the flat and topspin forehand strokes. 9–11 This movement involves wrist abduction which uses both the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscles. 13 However, a study by Rota et al.…”

Kinetics Analysis of Overhead Standing Smash in Badminton

“…In addition, (Johnson & McHugh, 2006) reported that the short duration of backswing would result in a higher anterior shoulder force in the backswing phase. Therefore, to prevent shoulder and elbow injuries due to overload movements, the player should pay attention to the maximum shoulder back swing in a chain (Genevois et al, 2020).…”