What Are The Physiological Responses To Tennis Tournaments?
Joshua Colmar, iTPA Intern
It is known that tennis is a very demanding sport. Tennis movement is a combination of eccentric-concentric muscle action, all movements are rapid and explosive and include accelerations, decelerations, stretches, jumps and strokes. Previous studies have shown that certain physical parameters such as maximum voluntary force (MVC), velocity, running speed, etc. decrease during a tennis competitive match. However, few papers approach this issue focusing in performance variation during the outcome of a tournament or several daily matches. We will review Ojala & Häkkinen (2013) work on this topic.
Eight male elite tennis players participated in this study, they played three matches during three consecutive days and after recovered for 48 hours. The aim of the study was to analyze maximum strength parameters (MVC), speed strength, hormone response (testosterone, cortisol and creatinekinase) and DOMS, RPE values (via questionnaire).
MVC: Maximal voluntary strength was measured using isometric bilateral leg press. Measurements were made before, during (at 40 and 80 minutes into the game) and after the matches. Results showed a decrease in maximal force already during the first match and consequently reduced results after every match of the tournament.
The tournament led to reductions of 26% of maximal force development during the contest. Neuromuscular impairment or alterations in excitation-contraction process caused by prolonged tennis match or in this case, multiple matches, could be the reason of this decrease and the incapability of players to develop force as they would when they are totally recovered.
Speed Strength: parameters were measured with four different tests. Standing 5-jump, countermovement jump (CMJ), 5m run and serve velocity test. All tests were conducted before, during and after matches, except for the 5-jump (only before and after). Results show that there were no significant changes between matches in CMJ, 5m and 5-jump results. On the other hand, serve velocity decreased during matches and during the tournament.
It’s surprising that speed strength parameters were only affected during serve speed test. Other studies have shown similar results when testing CMJ during matches. These kind of results have, on occasion, been explained by insufficient warm-up before matches and an increase in muscle temperature during play. It may be that the muscles elastic component can function throughout a demanding set of matches or tournament and maintain performance in speed strength actions such as CMJ, 5m run and 5-jump. Serve velocity meanwhile, increased as it could show a greater relationship with muscle force during the loading stage of serve and also potentially due to the more complex movement (multiple phases/stages).
Serum hormones: Blood samples were analyzed before, during and after matches, focusing on cortisol, testosterone and creatinekinase (CK) changes. Results showed cortisol concentration was significantly higher before matches and varied between winners and losers. Testosterone raised during every match and had no differences between winners and losers. Finally, CK increased throughout matches (slightly) and during the tournament, with higher concentrations at the end of the competition.
Cortisol concentrations were higher pre-match and in players that won the matches. This is explained by other studies that relate these elevations to organism preparation for the upcoming bout. Tennis matches causes stress to the player which brings on the release of cortisol. Testosterone also raised during matches and is related to high intensity activity and this high intensity activity likely is the cause of the increase in testosterone. Creatinekinase, meanwhile, raised during matches and tournaments. As we know, CK is a marker of damage and its increase relates to fatigue and high demands of competition. Also, high concentrations of CK correlate to muscle impairment and is likely the reason for maximal strength decrease. CK affects muscle fibers and can impair tennis performance by reducing player’s ability to move between points and perform strokes properly.
DOMS: Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS) was seen to increase in the elgs and upper body during matches compared to pre-tournament values. During the 48 recovery hours, DOMS on the lower body remained high while on the upper body they remained around 24h. This suggests that the lower body may take longer to recover from symptoms of the DOMS compared to the upper body.
Increase in DOMS is directly related to high CK concentrations and it’s important to recover properly after competitions. This study reveals that 24h aren’t enough to recover and 48h after playing, soreness still is present (especially on the lower limbs).
In conclusion, tennis tournaments impair player’s MVC, increases muscle damage and soreness and reduces recovery possibilities. This damage and soreness affects directly physical performance during the tournament. One day of rest after playing is not sufficient to totally recover from previous matches. As to hormonal concentration changes, they don’t seem a good indicator of match outcome.
Practical applications for coaches can be extracted from this study. First of all, affected strength level, soreness and damage should be taken into consideration while planning match preparation and recovery before, during and after tournaments. Also, training must be designed to prepare player’s organism to cope with tennis specific demands and needs.
Additionally, strategies should be carried out to optimize recovery, here are some possibilities:
Massage: it seems to reduce DOMS by approximately 30% but has no effect on muscle function.
Foam rolling: 15-20min of foam rolling seems to decrease DOMS and soreness.
Eccentric load: during preparation for tournament weeks and the player’s general conditioning program it’s interesting to introduce this type of workout to reduce impairment and training disruption.
Moderate-intensity aerobic recovery: it could be recommended after high eccentric overload to improve muscle function.
Protein supplementation ingestion: It could offer post-exercise anabolism and facilitate recovery of muscle function.
References:
Joshua Colmar, iTPA Intern
It is known that tennis is a very demanding sport. Tennis movement is a combination of eccentric-concentric muscle action, all movements are rapid and explosive and include accelerations, decelerations, stretches, jumps and strokes. Previous studies have shown that certain physical parameters such as maximum voluntary force (MVC), velocity, running speed, etc. decrease during a tennis competitive match. However, few papers approach this issue focusing in performance variation during the outcome of a tournament or several daily matches. We will review Ojala & Häkkinen (2013) work on this topic.
Eight male elite tennis players participated in this study, they played three matches during three consecutive days and after recovered for 48 hours. The aim of the study was to analyze maximum strength parameters (MVC), speed strength, hormone response (testosterone, cortisol and creatinekinase) and DOMS, RPE values (via questionnaire).
MVC: Maximal voluntary strength was measured using isometric bilateral leg press. Measurements were made before, during (at 40 and 80 minutes into the game) and after the matches. Results showed a decrease in maximal force already during the first match and consequently reduced results after every match of the tournament.
The tournament led to reductions of 26% of maximal force development during the contest. Neuromuscular impairment or alterations in excitation-contraction process caused by prolonged tennis match or in this case, multiple matches, could be the reason of this decrease and the incapability of players to develop force as they would when they are totally recovered.
Speed Strength: parameters were measured with four different tests. Standing 5-jump, countermovement jump (CMJ), 5m run and serve velocity test. All tests were conducted before, during and after matches, except for the 5-jump (only before and after). Results show that there were no significant changes between matches in CMJ, 5m and 5-jump results. On the other hand, serve velocity decreased during matches and during the tournament.
It’s surprising that speed strength parameters were only affected during serve speed test. Other studies have shown similar results when testing CMJ during matches. These kind of results have, on occasion, been explained by insufficient warm-up before matches and an increase in muscle temperature during play. It may be that the muscles elastic component can function throughout a demanding set of matches or tournament and maintain performance in speed strength actions such as CMJ, 5m run and 5-jump. Serve velocity meanwhile, increased as it could show a greater relationship with muscle force during the loading stage of serve and also potentially due to the more complex movement (multiple phases/stages).
Serum hormones: Blood samples were analyzed before, during and after matches, focusing on cortisol, testosterone and creatinekinase (CK) changes. Results showed cortisol concentration was significantly higher before matches and varied between winners and losers. Testosterone raised during every match and had no differences between winners and losers. Finally, CK increased throughout matches (slightly) and during the tournament, with higher concentrations at the end of the competition.
Cortisol concentrations were higher pre-match and in players that won the matches. This is explained by other studies that relate these elevations to organism preparation for the upcoming bout. Tennis matches causes stress to the player which brings on the release of cortisol. Testosterone also raised during matches and is related to high intensity activity and this high intensity activity likely is the cause of the increase in testosterone. Creatinekinase, meanwhile, raised during matches and tournaments. As we know, CK is a marker of damage and its increase relates to fatigue and high demands of competition. Also, high concentrations of CK correlate to muscle impairment and is likely the reason for maximal strength decrease. CK affects muscle fibers and can impair tennis performance by reducing player’s ability to move between points and perform strokes properly.
DOMS: Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS) was seen to increase in the elgs and upper body during matches compared to pre-tournament values. During the 48 recovery hours, DOMS on the lower body remained high while on the upper body they remained around 24h. This suggests that the lower body may take longer to recover from symptoms of the DOMS compared to the upper body.
Increase in DOMS is directly related to high CK concentrations and it’s important to recover properly after competitions. This study reveals that 24h aren’t enough to recover and 48h after playing, soreness still is present (especially on the lower limbs).
In conclusion, tennis tournaments impair player’s MVC, increases muscle damage and soreness and reduces recovery possibilities. This damage and soreness affects directly physical performance during the tournament. One day of rest after playing is not sufficient to totally recover from previous matches. As to hormonal concentration changes, they don’t seem a good indicator of match outcome.
Practical applications for coaches can be extracted from this study. First of all, affected strength level, soreness and damage should be taken into consideration while planning match preparation and recovery before, during and after tournaments. Also, training must be designed to prepare player’s organism to cope with tennis specific demands and needs.
Additionally, strategies should be carried out to optimize recovery, here are some possibilities:
Massage: it seems to reduce DOMS by approximately 30% but has no effect on muscle function.
Foam rolling: 15-20min of foam rolling seems to decrease DOMS and soreness.
Eccentric load: during preparation for tournament weeks and the player’s general conditioning program it’s interesting to introduce this type of workout to reduce impairment and training disruption.
Moderate-intensity aerobic recovery: it could be recommended after high eccentric overload to improve muscle function.
Protein supplementation ingestion: It could offer post-exercise anabolism and facilitate recovery of muscle function.
References:
- Ojala, T. Häkkinen, K. Effects of the Tennis Tournament on Player’s Physical Performance, Hormonal Responses, Muscle Damage and Recovery. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2013; 12, 240-248.
- Cheung, K. Hume, P. Maxwell, L. Delayed onset muscle soreness: treatment strategies and performance factors. Sport Med 2003; 33(2): 145-64.
- Pasiakos SM, Lieberman HR, McLellan TM. Effects of protein supplements on muscle damage, soreness and recovery of muscle function and physical performance: a systematic review. Sports Med. 2014 May; 44(5):655-70.
- Zainuddin, Z. et al. Effects of Massage on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness, Swelling, and Recovery of Muscle Function. J Athl Train. 2005 Jul-Sep; 40(3): 174–180.
- Tuffano, JJ. et al. Effect of aerobic recovery intensity on delayed-onset muscle soreness and strength. J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Oct; 26(10):2777-82.
- Pearcey, GE. et al. Foam rolling for delayed-onset muscle soreness and recovery of dynamic performance measures. J Athl Train. 2015 Jan; 50(1):5-13.
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