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Upper extremity physical factors affecting tennis serve velocity
D B Cohen1, M A Mont, K R Campbell
1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Baltimore, Maryland.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Tennis serve velocity is linked to specific flexibility and strength measures. Enhancing these physical attributes may improve a player's serve speed, warranting further research.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Optimizing tennis serve velocity is crucial for competitive performance.
- Understanding the biomechanical factors influencing serve velocity is essential for player development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between anthropometric data, extremity strength, flexibility, and serve velocity in elite tennis players.
- To identify key physical parameters that correlate with high functional serve velocity.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of 40 tournament-level tennis players.
- Inclusion of physical examinations, video analysis of serve technique, and radar gun measurements of serve velocity.
- Assessment of upper extremity strength and flexibility, including wrist and shoulder range of motion and torque production.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations found between serve velocity and dominant wrist flexion, dominant shoulder flexion, and dominant shoulder internal rotation.
- Significant relationships identified between serve velocity and elbow extension torque production.
- Serve velocity also correlated with the ratios of internal to external rotational torque production (concentric and eccentric).
Conclusions:
- Flexibility and strength are key determinants of tennis serve velocity.
- Targeted training programs focusing on specific muscular strengthening and stretching may enhance serve velocity.
- Further prospective studies are required to confirm the efficacy of these training interventions.