Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Tennis players--Physiology; Athletic ability--Testing;

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to create a physiological profile based on UTR through a series of tests to aid coaches in improving the performance of their athletes of any UTR level and to prepare the athletes physiologically for the level above. The UTR patent details skill and tactical development of players at each level as well as a few psychological skills. Physiological skills are only vaguely mentioned and not quantified creating a desire for a physiological profile. It has been previously agreed upon that high capabilities in linear speed, agility, power, anaerobic, aerobic, and strength are correlated with high-level tennis athletes so testing in these areas was used. Upon arrival to the testing facility, participants were provided a verbal explanation of the study and asked to complete an Informed Consent document before beginning. Athletes then began height and weight measurements followed by an active warm-up. Administration of tests was conducted in the following order: Grip Strength, 20m Sprint, Modified 5-0-5 Agility, Vertical Jump, 10x20 Repeat Sprint Ability, and Multistage Shuttle Run. Means and standard deviations were created for each metric to determine effect size. The calculated z score was used to visualize standard differences. All four subjects struggled with single-leg strength and power which may hinder serve and stroke power production. All subjects also struggled with aerobic capacity, indicating difficulty in longer formatted matches or full third set play. Three of the four subjects were weak in anaerobic capacities, which causes a decrement to their strong acceleration abilities throughout a match. With corrections in these areas, athletes will strengthen another style of play for themselves and have another set of abilities to fall back on when their preferred style doesn’t work against opponents, thus potentially raising their UTR. A physiological profile can help to highlight group or team strengths and weaknesses. In a collegiate or academy setting where strength and conditioning coaches are often training small groups of tennis athletes together, this can help to guide the focus of a new macrocycle and the mesocycles within it.

Year of Submission

2020

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Kinesiology

First Advisor

Jacob Reed, Chair

Date Original

2020

Object Description

1 PDF file (viii, 48 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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