The Effect of Age on Discrete Kinematics of the Elite Female Tennis Serve

Abstract

The importance of the flat serve in tennis is well documented, with an abundance of research evaluating the service technique of adult male players. Comparatively, the female and junior serves have received far less attention. Therefore, the aims of this study were to quantify the flat serve kinematics in elite prepubescent, pubescent, and postpubescent female tennis players. Full body, racket, and ball kinematics were derived using a 22-camera Vicon motion capture system. Racket velocity was significantly lower in the prepubescent group than in the two older groups. In generating racket velocity, the role of the serving arm appears to become more pronounced after the onset of puberty, whereas leg drive and “shoulder-over-shoulder” rotation mature even later in development. These factors are proposed to relate to strength deficits and junior players’ intentions to reduce the complexity of the skill. Temporally, coupling perception (cues from the ball) and action (body movements) are less refined in the prepubescent serve, presumably reducing the “rhythm” (and dynamism) of the service action. Practically, there appears scope for equipment scaling to preserve kinematic relevance between the junior and senior serve and promote skill acquisition.

Algorithms for Tennis Racket Analysis Based on Motion Data

“…Tracking the motion of the tennis racket together with the player's movements has been studied in many papers [2,3,4,9,12,13,14,15]. Three aspects of the racket are analysed: its velocity, swing and orientation.…”

Influence of Posture-Cuing Shirt on Tennis Serve Kinematics in Division III Tennis Players

“…9 Not surprisingly, shoulder internal and external rotation motions, which are dependent on scapular positioning, are associated with shoulder injury in athletes, including tennis players. 9,10 For instance, glenohumeral internal rotation deficit, which is defined as the imbalance of shoulder arc of rotation, creating excessive external rotation and a lack of internal rotation range of motion (ROM), is associated with scapular dyskinesia and subsequent injury to the shoulder of overhead athletes. 3,[10][11][12] As noted in prior studies, shoulder internal rotation is directly associated with racquet speed and ball velocity after impact, and shoulder external rotation is associated with shoulder internal rotation function.…”

“…3,[10][11][12] As noted in prior studies, shoulder internal rotation is directly associated with racquet speed and ball velocity after impact, and shoulder external rotation is associated with shoulder internal rotation function. [8][9][10] Hence, effective movement of the glenohumeral joint, during the tennis serve, is a critical element to the mechanics of the serve but also critical to minimizing the risk of injury to the shoulder.…”

“…[5][6][7] With tennis in particular, the tennis serve is considered the most important stroke in this sport and is also considered the most influential on injury occurrence to the shoulder in tennis players. 8,9 The tennis serve involves the coordinated effort of the lower extremities and trunk and also the integrated motions of the scapula with the humerus. 9 Not surprisingly, shoulder internal and external rotation motions, which are dependent on scapular positioning, are associated with shoulder injury in athletes, including tennis players.…”

“…8,9 The tennis serve involves the coordinated effort of the lower extremities and trunk and also the integrated motions of the scapula with the humerus. 9 Not surprisingly, shoulder internal and external rotation motions, which are dependent on scapular positioning, are associated with shoulder injury in athletes, including tennis players. 9,10 For instance, glenohumeral internal rotation deficit, which is defined as the imbalance of shoulder arc of rotation, creating excessive external rotation and a lack of internal rotation range of motion (ROM), is associated with scapular dyskinesia and subsequent injury to the shoulder of overhead athletes.…”