Kinematic analysis of the wheelchair tennis serve: Implications for classification

The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of the classification system used in Open-class wheelchair tennis by investigating the relationship between post-impact ball velocity in the serve (measured using a sports radar gun) and the severity of impairment. Shoulder and wrist angles at the instant of ball impact were also estimated from 2D motion analysis. Forty-three nationally ranked Italian Open-class wheelchair tennis players were assigned to four groups (A–D) according to descending level of activity limitation. Ten successful flat serves (WFSs) and 10 successful kick serves (WKSs) for each player were recorded. One-way ANOVA showed that the severity of impairment significantly (P < 0.05) affected post-impact ball velocity and shoulder angle at the instant of ball impact. Furthermore, the mean value of post-impact ball velocity in WFS increased from group A to group D, i.e., with descending level of activity limitation. The results of this cross-sectional study indicate that the severity of impairment per se is associated with velocity of the wheelchair tennis serve, suggesting that the current classification is flawed in that it overlooks the impact of severity of impairment on players' performance.