Effect of Low-Compression Balls on Wheelchair Tennis Match-Play

P. Sindall; J. P. Lenton; L. Malone; S. Douglas; R. A. Cooper; S. Hiremath; K. Tolfrey; V. Goosey-Tolfrey

doi:10.1055/s-0033-1354384

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(05): 424-431
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1354384

Training & Testing

Effect of Low-Compression Balls on Wheelchair Tennis Match-Play

P. Sindall

¹School of Health Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom

²Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom

,

J. P. Lenton

²Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom

,

L. Malone

³Lakeshore Foundation, Research & Education, Birmingham, United States

,

S. Douglas

⁴School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, United States

,

R. A. Cooper

⁵Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States

⁶Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Research Rehabilitation and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

,

S. Hiremath

⁵Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States

⁶Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Research Rehabilitation and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

,

K. Tolfrey

²Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom

,

V. Goosey-Tolfrey

²Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare court-movement variables and physiological responses to wheelchair tennis match-play when using low vs. standard compression tennis balls. Eleven wheelchair basketball players were monitored during repeated bouts of tennis (20 min) using both ball types. Graded and peak exercise tests were completed. For match-play, a data logger was used to record distance and speed. Individual linear heart rate oxygen consumption relationships were used to estimate match-play oxygen uptake. Significant main effects for ball type revealed that total distance (P<0.05), forward distance (P<0.05), and average speed (P<0.05) were higher for play using a low-compression ball. A lower percentage of total time was spent stationary (P<0.001), with significantly more time spent at speeds of 1–1.49 (P<0.05), 1.5–1.99 (P<0.05) and 2.0–2.49 (P<0.05) m ∙ sec⁻¹ when using the low-compression ball. Main effects for physiological variables were not significant. Greater total and forward distance, and higher average speeds are achieved using a low-compression ball. The absence of any difference in measured HR and estimated physiological responses would indicate that players move further and faster at no additional mean physiological cost. This type of ball will be useful for novice players in the early phases of skill development.

Key words

disability sport - physiological response - data logging - court-movement

Full Text

References

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