Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Assessment during the Tennis Serve: Performance and Prevention

Abstract

Addressing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) during a tennis serve is a challenge for both protecting athletes and maintaining performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of MSD occurrence using the rapid whole-body assessment (REBA) ergonomic tool at each time step, using 3D kinematic analysis of joint angles for slow and fast serves. Two force platforms (750 Hz) and an optoelectronic system including 10 infrared cameras (150 Hz, 82 markers located on the whole body and on the racket) were used to capture the kinematics of the six REBA joint areas over five services in two young male and two young female ranked players. The mean REBA score was 9.66 ± 1.11 (ranging from 7.75 to 11.85) with the maximum value observed for the loading and cocking stage (REBA score > 11). The intermediate scores for each of the six joint areas ranged between 2 and 3 and the maximum value of their respective scales. The lowest scores were observed for the shoulder. Neck rotation and shoulder flexion are parameters that could be taken into account when analyzing performance in the context of MSD prevention.

Keywords: 3D motion analysis; REBA; biomechanics; coaching; ergonomic assessment; optoelectronic system; performance; tennis serve.

Figure A1

REBA method summary sheet. The left and right columns show the method for computing the intermediate scores, while the middle section contains the conversion charts for obtaining the final REBA score.

Figure 1

Three-dimensional visualization of markers positioned on players. (A) Position of markers at each key point of interest. (B) Marker trajectories during the serve. The illustration shows the first attempt by the first male player. The green and blue markers represent anatomical points on the right and left sides respectively. Yellow markers represent technical markers. The purple markers relate to the racket. The two blue squares represent the two force plates. The red vertical arrows represent ground reaction forces.

Figure 2

Presentation of the experimental data processing used to carry out an ergonomic assessment of MSD risks during the tennis serve using REBA.

Figure 3

Evolution of the REBA score (mean ± standard deviation) during the tennis serve. The background colors represent the REBA risk level (see last part of Figure 2).

Figure 4

Neck kinematic and ergonomic evaluations during the tennis serve. Top panel: Mean (±standard deviation) intermediate neck REBA score. Bottom panel: Mean (±standard deviation) neck flexion/extension, inclination, and axial rotation.

Figure 5

Trunk kinematic and ergonomic evaluations during the tennis serve. Top panel: Mean (±standard deviation) intermediate trunk REBA score. Bottom panel: Mean (±standard deviation) trunk flexion/extension, inclination, and axial rotation.

Figure 6

Knee kinematic and ergonomic evaluations during the tennis serve. Top panels: Mean (±standard deviation) intermediate leg REBA score. Bottom panels: Mean (±standard deviation) knee flexion.

Figure 7

Shoulder kinematic and ergonomic evaluations during the tennis serve. Top panel: Mean (±standard deviation) intermediate shoulder REBA score. Bottom panel: Mean (±standard deviation) shoulder abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, and axial rotation.

Figure 8

Elbow kinematic and ergonomic evaluations during the tennis serve. Top panel: Mean (±standard deviation) intermediate elbow REBA score. Bottom panel: Mean (±standard deviation) elbow flexion.

Figure 9

Wrist kinematic and ergonomic evaluations during the tennis serve. Top panel: Mean (±standard deviation) intermediate wrist REBA score. Bottom panel: Mean (±standard deviation) wrist flexion/extension and radioulnar deviation.

Figure 10

Evolution of the REBA score for slow (solid line) and fast (dotted line) serves. The background colors represent the REBA risk level (see last part of Figure 2).

Figure 11

Neck kinematic and ergonomic evaluations for the slow (solid line) and fast (dotted line) serves. Top panel: Neck REBA score. Bottom panel: Neck flexion/extension (blue), inclination (green), and axial rotation (red).

Figure 12

Trunk kinematic and ergonomic evaluations for the slow (solid line) and fast (dotted line) serves. Top panel: Trunk REBA score. Bottom panel: Trunk flexion/extension (blue), inclination (green), and axial rotation (red).

Figure 13

Back (left panels) and front (right panels) knee kinematic and ergonomic evaluations for the slow (solid line) and fast (dotted line) serves. Top panels: Knee REBA scores. Bottom panels: Knee flexion/extension (blue).

Figure 14

Dominant shoulder kinematic and ergonomic evaluations for the slow (solid line) and fast (dotted line) serves. Top panel: Dominant shoulder REBA score. Bottom panel: Dominant shoulder abduction/adduction (blue), flexion/extension (green), and axial rotation (red).

Figure 15

Dominant elbow kinematic and ergonomic evaluations for the slow (solid line) and fast (dotted line) serves. Top panel: Dominant elbow REBA score. Bottom panel: Dominant elbow flexion/extension (blue).

Figure 16

Dominant wrist kinematic and ergonomic evaluations for the slow (solid line) and fast (dotted line) serve. Top panel: Dominant wrist REBA score. Bottom panel: Dominant wrist flexion/extension (blue), and radioulnar deviation (green).