Lower limb kinetic comparisons between the chasse step and one step footwork during stroke play in table tennis

Abstract

Background Biomechanical footwork research during table tennis performance has been the subject of much interest players and exercise scientists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lower limb kinetic characteristics of the chasse step and one step footwork during stroke play using traditional discrete analysis and one-dimensional statistical parameter mapping. Methods Twelve national level 1 table tennis players (Height: 172 ± 3.80 cm, Weight: 69 ± 6.22 kg, Age: 22 ± 1.66 years, Experience: 11 ± 1.71 year) from Ningbo University volunteered to participate in the study. The kinetic data of the dominant leg during the chasse step and one step backward phase (BP) and forward phase (FP) was recorded by instrumented insole systems and a force platform. Paired sample T tests were used to analyze maximum plantar force, peak pressure of each plantar region, the force time integral and the pressure time integral. For SPM analysis, the plantar force time series curves were marked as a 100% process. A paired-samples T-test in MATLAB was used to analyze differences in plantar force. Results One step produced a greater plantar force than the chasse step during 6.92–11.22% BP (P = 0.039). The chasse step produced a greater plantar force than one step during 53.47–99.01% BP (P < 0.001). During the FP, the chasse step showed a greater plantar force than the one step in 21.06–84.06% (P < 0.001). The one step produced a higher maximum plantar force in the BP (P = 0.032) and a lower maximum plantar force in the FP (P = 0) compared with the chasse step. The one step produced greater peak pressure in the medial rearfoot (P = 0) , lateral rearfoot (P = 0) and lateral forefoot (P = 0.042) regions than the chasse step during BP. In FP, the chasse step showed a greater peak pressure in the Toe (P = 0) than the one step. The one step had a lower force time integral (P = 0) and greater pressure time integral (P = 0) than the chasse step in BP, and the chasse step produced a greater force time integral (P = 0) and pressure time integral (P = 0.001) than the one step in the FP. Conclusion The findings indicate that athletes can enhance plantarflexion function resulting in greater weight transfer, facilitating a greater momentum during the 21.06–84.06% of FP. This is in addition to reducing the load on the dominant leg during landing by utilizing a buffering strategy. Further to this, consideration is needed to enhance the cushioning capacity of the sole heel and the stiffness of the toe area.

Lower Limb Biomechanics during the Topspin Forehand in Table Tennis: A Systemic Review

“…The lower limb biomechanics of cross-step, chasse step, and one-step footwork seem to have received more attention and research. The chasse step footwork is a side movement that could combine with racket movement to perform offensive and defensive strokes in table tennis [ 11 , 28 ]. Comparing the long-distance chasse step footwork with the short-distance chasse step footwork, the ankle joint ROM and angular velocity in the coronal and transverse planes of the long-distance chasse step footwork were significantly faster than the short-distance chasse step footwork during the topspin forehand [ 28 ].…”

“…In addition to the movement of COP [ 24 ], indexes such as pressure in various plantar regions [ 5 , 11 , 20 ], plantar force [ 11 ], contact area [ 6 ], force-time integral [ 11 ], and pressure-time integral [ 5 , 11 ] have been successively studied and reported. Overall, the differences in plantar mechanical characteristics were concentrated in the first metatarsal, the medial-lateral of the forefoot, and the medial-lateral of the rearfoot [ 5 , 6 , 11 , 20 ]. The peak pressure in the total foot and toe regions of the cross-step and chasse step footwork were significantly greater than that in the one-step footwork [ 5 ].…”

“…The peak pressure in the total foot and toe regions of the cross-step and chasse step footwork were significantly greater than that in the one-step footwork [ 5 ]. The peak pressure in the total foot and first metatarsal regions was significantly greater in the cross-step than in chasse step footwork [ 5 , 11 ]. Chasse step footwork showed significantly greater plantar force, force-time integral, and pressure-time integral than one-step footwork in both backward and forward phases.…”

“…Chasse step footwork showed significantly greater plantar force, force-time integral, and pressure-time integral than one-step footwork in both backward and forward phases. In the foreword phase, the peak pressure in the toe region of chasse step footwork was significantly greater than that of one-step footwork [ 5 , 11 ]. Differences in performance levels also led to differences in plantar mechanics, with AP exhibiting higher peak pressures in the medial-lateral forefoot region and the medial-lateral rearfoot region when performing chasse step footwork [ 20 ].…”

“…The whole-body coordination mechanism is very important in table tennis, and the performance level of the upper limbs is largely determined by the lower limbs [ 4 , 5 ]. In recent years, the important role of lower limb function in table tennis has been widely studied and reported [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. As the origin of the kinetics chain, perfect lower limb movement performance will benefit the velocity of the racket and ball [ 4 , 12 , 13 ].…”