Within-Session Sequence of the Tennis Serve Training in Youth Elite Players

Abstract

The influence of muscular fatigue on tennis serve performance within regular training sessions is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the within-session sequence of the tennis serve in youth tennis. Twenty-five young male (14.9 ± 0.9 years) and female (14.5 ± 0.9 years) players participated in this within-subject crossover study, and they were randomly but sex-matched assigned to different training sequences (serve exercise before tennis training (BTS) or after tennis training (ATS)). Pre- and post-tests included serve velocity performance and accuracy, shoulder strength, and range-of-motion (ROM) performance (internal/external rotation). Results showed that after one week of serve training conducted following the ATS sequence, significant decreases were found in serve performance (e.g., speed and accuracy), with standardized differences ranging from d = 0.29 to 1.13, as well as the shoulder function (strength [d = 0.20 to 1.0] and ROM [d = 0.17 to 0.31]) in both female and male players, compared to the BTS sequence. Based on the present findings, it appears more effective to implement serve training before the regular tennis training in youth players. If applied after training, excessive levels of fatigue may cause shoulder imbalances that could be related to an increased injury risk.

Keywords: athletes; athletic performance; fatigue; fitness; range of motion; shoulder strength.

Figure 1

Experimental protocol.

Figure 2

Representation of the serve performance test and target area dimensions. P: Player.

Figure 3

Serve speed and accuracy performance at baseline and after the intervention (before or after tennis training session) according to sex; * = main effect of time (p < 0.05); # = time-by-condition interaction effect (p < 0.05).