Reproducibility and Validity of a Stroke Effectiveness Test in Table Tennis Based on the Temporal Game Structure

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a stroke effectiveness test in table tennis based on the temporal game structure to assess the ball speed and ball placement of the players, with a purpose to analyze its reproducibility and validity.Methods: Nineteen male table tennis players participated in this study. The test was performed twice during the first session and once during the second session to assess the intrasession and intersession reproducibility, respectively. Moreover, the test was examined on its ability to discriminate between regional (n = 10) and local performance-level (n = 9) players and on the relationship between the test results and the table tennis performance to assess the discriminant and concurrent validity, respectively. In general, the test consisted of 11 simulated rallies of 2–5 balls with the effort and rest ratio of 0.5, and focused on attack with offensive strokes at defensive balls delivered by a robot randomly between the left and right positions on the table.Results: Ball speed, ball placement, and ball speed-ball placement index showed satisfactory reliability (ICC range 0.78–0.96, P < 0.05) and agreement (CV range 2.7–16.2%) outcomes. Additionally, the Bland–Altman plots show the systematic error of the analyses closer to 0, and that most values were within the limits of agreements. Concerning validity analyses, regional players had higher scores of ball placement (+51.3%; P = 0.01, ES = 1.33) and ball speed-ball placement index (+56.1%; P = 0.0009, ES = 1.87) as well as made fewer errors (-25.4%; P = 0.017, ES = 1.20) than local players. Moreover, ball placement (r = -0.79, P = 0.04), ball speed-ball placement index (r = -0.78, P = 0.04), and percentage error (r = 0.88, P = 0.01) presented a strong and significant correlation with table tennis performance. However, ball speed was slightly different between the regional than local players (+1.7%; P = 0.78, ES = 0.13) and this variable was not related to table tennis performance (r = 0.32, P = 0.49).Conclusion: Our findings show evidences that the test is reproducible. Moreover, discriminant and concurrent validity are confirmed for ball placement and ball speed-ball placement index.

Biomechanics of Table Tennis: A Systematic Scoping Review of Playing Levels and Maneuvers

“…Common variants included the type of ball spin [1,2,33,35,37,39] and the spin rate [24,25]. Moreover, seven included studies investigated ball, racket, and serve as outcome measures instead of variants [31,38,[40][41][42][43][44][45].…”

Developing a tool to assess technical skills in talented youth table tennis players—a multi-method approach combining professional and scientific literature and coaches’ perspectives

“…The aim of this study was to find the crucial elements of the assessment of technical skills in youth table tennis players (8–12 years) and establish a tool to measure these in practice. This new instrument follows an ecologically valid approach [ 9 ] and addresses the limitations of existing instruments (i.e., focus on single elements of technical skills, “outcome-related” method type (e.g., speed and accuracy) and an operationalization for the elite adult level) [ 8 , 31 , 32 ]. A multi-method design was used to combine findings from professional and scientific literature with the coaches’ expertise.…”

“…First, the scarce tests currently available measure, in general, only single elements of technical skills (e.g., stroke play, stroke effectiveness or footwork) in isolation whereas integration is recommended as they interplay continuously [31]. Accordingly, performance measures that better simulate the demands of the actual competition should be developed [32][33][34]. Second, the outcome parameters most used in racquet sports are the speed and accuracy of the ball [31,32,34].…”

“…Accordingly, performance measures that better simulate the demands of the actual competition should be developed [32][33][34]. Second, the outcome parameters most used in racquet sports are the speed and accuracy of the ball [31,32,34]. These parameters do not provide information about the quality of underlying movement patterns [13] like footwork, stroke-play, or controlling ball rotation, although this quality is essential for future potential development [25].…”

Sport Performance Analysis with a Focus on Racket Sports: A Review

“…For example, we can mention the following: identification of potential by: Arede et al [2], Woods et al [3], Waldron and Worsfold [4], Woods et al [5,6], Lago-Fuentes et al [7], specific performance of a young player by Saphie et al [8], Brito et al [9,10], Karakulak [11], Gimenez-Egido et al [12], Analysis of technical skills (movement patterns, for example) by: Santos et al [13], Nassis [14], Mangan et al [15], Saavedra et al [16], Challis et al [17], Hökelmann and Richter [18]. Player's performance analysis during the game (match analysis that includes stroke position, ball movement, match sequence, and player's substitutions) is covered in detail in: Pereira et al [19], Michael et al [20], Caballero et al [21], Slawson et al [22], Belli et al [23], Gal et al [24]. Some of the authors, such as Tromp and Holmes [25], Monteiro et al [26], Franchini et al [27], Gimenez-Egido et al [12], García-de Alcaraz et al [28] and Ortega-Toro et al [29], attempt to provide a solution for estimating the impact on performance after rule changes, process model analysis by presenting a solution as an example.…”