Editorial: Tennis: tests and performances

Editorial on the research topic
Tennis: tests and performances

The topic of testing has received considerable attention in the tennis performance literature (1, 2), and the energetic and technical demands of tennis have also been studied extensively, providing considerable insight into the challenges of the game (3). In this context, the main objective of this research topic is to contribute to shedding light on this field by including a series of innovative studies that contribute to the acquisition of additional theoretical and practical knowledge that can offer new research perspectives as well as direct application in the field.

The use of normative values ​​such as those used by Johansson et al. who studied shoulder rotation strength and range of motion in junior boys and girls players and presented a normative database for these aspects. This seminal study showed age and sex differences in both isometric internal rotation, external rotation weakness, as well as eccentric external rotation in these competitive athletes. Following the findings of Reid and Schneiker (4) This research highlighted the importance of strength development during puberty, particularly in female tennis players.

The use of technology is gradually becoming essential in the evaluation of tennis players (5). However, its application to providing information related to the psychological components of the game is still in progress due to the complex nature of identifying mental skills in competitive contexts. This trend is clearly demonstrated in the study conducted by Havlucu et al. The researchers investigated the detection of reaching the “zone” in elite players using standard wearable technology. They used a neural network to predict the achievement of this optimal performance state at a relatively low cost. Their results were successfully applied in a real-world scenario combining wearable technology, expert labels, and machine learning, which could provide all interested parties with a suitable alternative to detecting psychological states in tennis players.

Tactical and technical skills are the fundamental elements of the game (6), For the very first time, Kolman et al. developed a reliable, valid and feasible tool to assess tactical skills during training and game situations in tennis players. This study confirmed the psychometric properties of the Tennis Tactical Skills Questionnaire (TSQT), an instrument by which players can self-assess their tactical skills using reflection on their tactical skills. This tool can provide useful information to generate specific areas to work on during training sessions. Regarding the testing of technical aspects, a crucial element in understanding the performance of technical skills in complex match situations. Kolman et al. They also studied the development of these skills across different age categories in talented young players. They used a dedicated tool, the Dutch Tennis Technical-Tactical Court Test, to find that skills such as ball speed for men and accuracy in complex situations for both sexes develop during adolescence in these players.

As Baiget et al. show (7) indicated, testing the metabolic and conditional demands of play provides valuable insight into the profile of this activity. Several articles in this research area have covered this area. In a systematic review with meta-analysis, Lambrich and Mühlbauer The authors quantified and characterized the effects of training on fitness measures and hitting speed in youth and adult tennis players. They found training adaptations in adult players for lower limb muscle power, upper limb muscle strength, and hitting speed, as well as endurance adaptations in youth players.

In an applied study, Björklund et al. explored energy expenditure and exercise intensity in four different field exercises, following Reid et al. (8). They concluded that the exercises analyzed in the study provided energy expenditure values ​​per minute closer to those of similar sports, and that energy expenditure per meter was significantly higher.

Fatigue is also a major issue in the tennis testing scenario, as noted by Hornery et al. (9). In this context, the relationship between player fatigue and the type of groundstroke in tennis was studied by Murata and Naito The researchers analyzed the physiological demands during simulated matches and hitting tests by considering the ratio of translational to rotational kinetic energy of the ball. The results suggest that players with high lactate levels hit the ball with a higher ratio of rotational to total kinetic energy, which may imply that the type of groundstrokes played is a factor to consider when testing tennis fatigue.

The assessment of movement skills in performance players is also extremely relevant due to the high importance of movement and positioning abilities on the field in today’s game (ten). In this vein, Reiner Volk et al. The authors investigated the correlation between a linear sprint and a change of direction test and the player’s current tennis ranking. The authors found that the change of direction test had a moderate and higher impact on tennis performance compared to the linear sprint. Given these results, the use of specific change of direction exercises during on-court training sessions was recommended.

From a training program perspective, studying the effects of training prescription is extremely relevant (11). Sollliec et al. investigated the impact of an 8-week multimodal program on thoracic posture, glenohumeral range of motion, and serving performance in young competitive players. The program produced moderately relevant effects in correcting sagittal thoracic curvature in the sample. It also helped regain glenohumeral rotational range of motion without producing a degradation in serving performance.

In conclusion, the results of the articles included in this Research Topic provide researchers with directions for future studies and provide coaches and other professionals with evidence-based methods, procedures, and instruments to test and assess the various components and skills required for tennis performance. The information presented in this Topic can be used in tennis-specific testing programs aimed at increasing understanding of the mechanisms underlying the appropriate assessment and evaluation of players.