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Lower trunk muscle activity during the tennis serve
1Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
|January 16, 2004
Summary
This study examined lower trunk muscle activation during tennis serves. Results show co-activation of abdominal and low back muscles, crucial for lumbar spine stability in tennis players.
Area of Science:
- Sports biomechanics
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Previous electromyographic (EMG) studies on tennis serves primarily focused on upper limb and shoulder musculature.
- Limited research exists on the role of lower trunk muscles during different tennis serve techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare muscle activation patterns of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and erector spinae (ES) during flat, topspin, and slice tennis serves.
- To understand the contribution of lower trunk muscles to serve-related movements and spinal stability.
Main Methods:
- Five highly skilled male tennis players performed 10 trials of each serve type (flat, topspin, slice).
- Surface EMG recorded activation of RA, EO, IO, and ES muscles.
- Non-parametric ANOVA analyzed average EMG levels across serve phases for selected trials.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in muscle activation patterns were observed across the three serve types.
- Bilateral differences in muscle activation were more prominent in the RA and EO muscles compared to IO and ES.
- Abdominal muscles (RA, EO, IO) showed increased activity during the upward swing in topspin serves.
- Significant co-activation of abdominal/low back muscles was noted during specific serve phases.
Conclusions:
- Lower trunk muscle co-activation, particularly during the arch back and forward swing, likely stabilizes the lumbar spine during tennis serves.
- The findings underscore the importance of incorporating abdominal and lower back strengthening and rehabilitation exercises for tennis players.
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