Preliminary Research on Physical Performance in Junior Tennis Players U16

Abstract

Physical performance regarding the rankings of U16 junior tennis players is not precisely understood. The purpose of this preliminary research was to check if the top-ranked players had better results in the evaluation of physical tests than the lower-ranked ones. Therefore, the scope was to determine if the national ranking is related to the physical characteristics. The physical tests used were approved by the Romanian Tennis Federation.

The following research methodology has been used: protocol methodology, the recording of data in research methodology, test in research methodology, and the statistical methodology. The tennis players followed their usual physical training for three months and at the end of this period, they were tested.

Twenty-two tennis players, eleven girls, and eleven boys, between 14 and 16 years old, were part of this preliminary research. The following measures were conducted: 5-10 m sprint, 30 m sprint test, 6 x 20 m sprints, long jump, repeated lateral jumps performed on both legs over the gym bench, one-handed medicine ball throw with, overhead medicine ball throw test, lateral steps test, Hexagon test, agility test, and push-ups test. Results The group of tennis players was followed during 12 weeks of their usual training. The variables were expressed in mean and standard deviation. The purpose was to check if there is any correlation between the ranking and the morphological parameters. Pearson correlation has been used. The normality of the variance and covariance was certified with Shapiro-Wilks Normality Test. Conclusion After comparing the results, it was shown that the players from the group with better ranking positions, had superior results in the evaluation tests.