How does prolonged tennis playing affect lower limb muscles' activity during first and second tennis serves?

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Tennis involves repetitive, high-intensity movements.
• Muscle fatigue can impact athletic performance and injury risk.
• Understanding muscle activation changes is crucial for player conditioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of prolonged tennis play on lower limb muscle activity during serves.
• To compare muscle activation changes between first and second serves after a 3-hour match.

Main Methods:

• Surface electromyography (EMG) recorded activity of vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius lateralis, and soleus muscles.
• Ten male competitive tennis players performed serves before and after a 3-hour match.
• Ball velocity and peak vertical forces were also measured.

Main Results:

• EMG amplitude decreased in several left and right leg muscles post-match (p ≤ 0.033).
• Reductions were more pronounced in first serves (-10% to -40%) than second serves (0% to -25%).
• Maximum ball velocity and peak vertical forces remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• A 3-hour tennis match significantly reduces lower limb muscle activation during serves.
• First serves showed greater reductions in muscle activation compared to second serves.
• Players may employ compensatory strategies to maintain performance metrics despite fatigue.