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

Abstract

PurposeWe aimed to a) introduce a new Test to Exhaustion Specific to Tennis (TEST) and compare performance (test duration) and physiological responses to those obtained during the 20-m multistage shuttle test (MSST), and b) determine to which extent those variables correlate with performance level (tennis competitive ranking) for both test procedures.MethodsTwenty-seven junior players (8 males, 19 females) members of the national teams of the French Tennis Federation completed MSST and TEST, including elements of the game (ball hitting, intermittent activity, lateral displacement), in a randomized order. Cardiorespiratory responses were compared at submaximal (respiratory compensation point) and maximal loads between the two tests.ResultsAt the respiratory compensation point oxygen uptake (50.1 ± 4.7 vs. 47.5 ± 4.3 mL.min-1.kg-1, p = 0.02), but not minute ventilation and heart rate, was higher for TEST compared to MSST. However, load increment and physiological responses at exhaustion did not differ between the two tests. Players’ ranking correlated negatively with oxygen uptake measured at submaximal and maximal loads for both TEST (r = -0.41; p = 0.01 and -0.55; p = 0.004) and MSST (r = -0.38; P = 0.05 and -0.51; p = 0.1).ConclusionUsing TEST provides a tennis-specific assessment of aerobic fitness and may be used to prescribe aerobic exercise in a context more appropriate to the game than MSST. Results also indicate that VO2 values both at submaximal and maximal load reached during TEST and MSST are moderate predictors of players competitive ranking.

Effects of Repeated-Sprint Training in Hypoxia on Tennis-Specific Performance in Well-Trained Players

“…TEST 4 5 was selected to assess participants’ high-intensity intermittent performance. Briefly, TEST consisted of hitting balls thrown by a ‘HighTOF’ ball machine (Echouboulains, France) at constant velocity 6 , alternating forehand and backhand strokes.…”

“…Briefly, TEST consisted of hitting balls thrown by a ‘HighTOF’ ball machine (Echouboulains, France) at constant velocity 6 , alternating forehand and backhand strokes. TEST has been previously reported to be relevant for tennis field testing and training purposes 4 . The TEST started with a 2-min ‘habituation’/warm-up phase where a ball frequency (BF) of 16 shots.min −1 with balls thrown to the central area of ​​the court (minimal lateral displacement) was adopted.…”

“…After 1 min of passive rest (quiet standing), the first TEST stage began with a BF of 10 shots.min −1 , thereafter increased by+2 shots.min −1 every min until the stage corresponding to a BF of 22 shots.min −1 . Thereafter, the increment in BF was set at+1 shots.min −1 until exhaustion 4 . After each 1-min stage, a 30-s passive recovery break (quiet standing) was implemented.…”

Untitled

“…Participants' physical performance was assessed using a testing battery performed in normoxia in a well-ventilated room at a constant temperature of ~21 °C and ~55 % relative humidity. Pre-and Post-testing sessions were completed in the exact same sequence: (i) 20 min of standardized warm-up including athletic and acceleration drills; (ii), RSA test; and (iii) after 40 min of rest, an incremental field test up to exhaustion [i. e., the so-called 'test to exhaustion specific to tennis' (TEST)] [4]. Participants were asked to arrive at the testing sessions in a rested and hydrated state (at least 3 h after a meal and having avoided strenuous training in the preceding 24 h).…”

“…Briefly, TEST consisted of hitting balls thrown by a 'HighTOF' ball machine (Echouboulains, France) at constant velocity [6], alternating forehand and backhand strokes. TEST has been previously reported to be relevant for tennis field testing and training purposes [4]. The TEST started with a 2-min 'habituation'/warm-up phase where a ball frequency (BF) of 16 shots.…”