Query: Upper extremity power in tennis

title: Relationship Between Range of Motion, Strength, Motor Control, Power, and the Tennis Serve in Competitive Level Tennis Players: A Pilot Study
abstract: The tennis serve is a complex skill requiring appropriate energy transfer to maximize serve speed. As the only independently powered shot in tennis, it is important to understand what characteristics contribute to a player's serve.  Upper extremity and lower extremity power variables will be predictive of serve speed.   A total of 42 competitive tennis players underwent range of motion, strength, motor control, power, and serve speed testing. Motion assessment was completed for shoulder external and internal rotation, trunk rotation, hip external and internal rotation, and ankle dorsiflexion. Strength was assessed for the rotator cuff, scapula, and hip musculature. Motor control was evaluated through upper and lower extremity Y balance testing. Power assessments were made using broad jump, single leg hop, and seated unilateral shot put testing. Pearson correlation was conducted to assess associations of skill, height, and tested variables to serve speed. Significant variables were used in a stepwise linear regression model, with serve speed as the dependent variable. Variables are listed in relation to the participant's dominant arm.  Skill, height, contralateral hip external rotation range of motion, nondominant arm Y balance anterolateral reach, bilateral single leg hops, and seated unilateral shot put throws for both arms demonstrated significant positive correlations to serve speed (P 0.05) Serve speed was predicted with 84% variance through skill, height, contralateral hip external rotation range of motion, ipsilateral single leg hop, and the seated unilateral shot put throws.  The ability to generate increased serve speed is multifactorial. The combination of skill, height, hip motion, and upper and lower extremity power may determine serve speed.  The findings suggest that motion, motor control, and power testing should be evaluated when working with this population to improve serve speed.

title: ANGULAR MOMENTUM OF UPPER EXTREMITY IN TENNIS VOLLEY
abstract: Power is a determinative element in today's tennis competition. Many tennis athletes recognized that both powerful serving and excellent volley skills are the most important weapons that could lead to victory. Tennis is a sustaining sport. An effective swing impact process in tennis volley not only reduces the musculoskeletal loading and energy consumption but also has better performance. Most biomechanical studies about tennis volley have not been away from kinematics (Kernodle, et al. 1982; Elliott, et al. 1988; Wang, et al. 2002) Few of the kinetic studies were available in the past (Van Gheluwe and Hebbelinch, 1986; Chow, et al. 1999a) It meant that few studies have attempted in studying the biomechanical aspects of tennis volley, especially the power transfer between segments (Chow, et al. 1999b) Groppel (1984) stated that the development and transfer of angular momentum from the ground reaction force through the body segments and finally to the racket may be one of the least understood concepts in tennis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the angular momentum of upper extremity on tennis punch and drop volley in elite tennis athletes.

title: BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE UPPER EXTREMITY IN TENNIS SERVICE
abstract: The purpose of this study was to calculate the external force, moment and power on the upper extremity of an elite player during the first service. The upper extremity of the subject was separated into three segments. The body segment parameter of the subject was calculated by using the mathematical model of truncated elliptical cone. The dynamical variables in the upper segment joints were determined via the 2D inverse dynamical solution. The present analysis shows the effectiveness of the truncated cone mathematical model as a high precision method for the calculation of body segment parameters. The wrist joint had been determined to sustain the greatest joint power during the contact phase. Regular training on the wrist extensors and elbow flexors is recommended for reducing the possibility of injury due to stress exerted on the flexor through eccentric contraction during the acceleration phase.

title: Effects of Dynamic Stretching Combined With Static Stretching, Foam Rolling, or Vibration Rolling as a Warm Up Exercise on Athletic Performance in Elite Table Tennis Players.
abstract: Warm up exercise is an essential preexercise routine for athletes to optimize performance. However, the benefits of combined warm up protocols remain unclear.  This comparative study investigated the acute effects of dynamic stretching (DS) followed by static stretching (SS) self myofascial release using a foam rolling (FR) device, or vibration foam rolling (VFR) as a warm up exercise to improve flexibility, power, agility, and specific skills in elite table tennis players.  A crossover study.  Twenty three elite table tennis players.  Players completed 3 different interventions in a random order (DS SS, DS FR, and DS VFR) The target muscle groups included the bilateral posterior calf, posterior thigh, anterior thigh, back, and shoulder.  Sit and reach test for flexibility, board jump test for lower extremity power, medicine ball throw test for upper extremity power, Edgren Side Step Test for agility, and ball speed of table tennis was assessed before and after intervention.  After intervention, significant increases in flexibility (15.2% 20.4% and 23.8% lower limb power (4.5% 6.6% and 6.3% upper limb power (9.6% 8.5% and 9.1% and ball speed (7.4% 7.6% and 7.7% were observed for DS SS, DS FR, and DS VFR, respectively (all P .001) In addition, only DS coupled with FR (5.1% and DS in conjunction with VFR (2.7% significantly improved agility (P .001) However, no significant improvements in agility were observed after DS SS. In addition, no one protocol was superior to the other in all outcomes.  The authors suggest that a combination of DS with FR or VFR as warm up exercises significantly improved flexibility, power, ball speed, in addition to agility in elite table tennis players. Coach and athletic professionals may take this information into account for choosing more effective warm up protocols to enhance performance.

title: Return to Sport for Tennis
abstract: This chapter describes training techniques essential for return to competitive tennis after major knee injury or surgery. Exercises and drills designed to improve dynamic balance, agility, speed, strength, and aerobic conditioning are illustrated and described in detail. Field tests are described that measure lower extremity power and dynamic balance, upper body strength and power, speed and agility, abdominal strength and endurance, and aerobic fitness. Reference material for training elite national and international players is given, along with normative data regarding strength, power, speed, agility, and aerobic fitness. The authors' program, Sportsmetrics tennis, was found to be safe and effective in improving neuromuscular indices and athletic performance indicators in youth players and is recommended as end stage rehabilitation after a knee injury or surgery before return to competitive play.

title: Subacromial impingement syndrome and lateral epicondylalgia in tennis players
abstract: The purpose of this paper is to review the literature pertaining to subacromial impingement syndrome and lateral epicondylalgia (LE) in tennis players. The mechanisms of joint and muscular imbalances that lead to functional impingement of the shoulder joint may impair the stabilization and power function of the shoulder resulting in overcompensation of the wrist extensors during the tennis swing. This may contribute to microtrauma at the soft tissue structures at the lateral epicondyle thus causing symptoms of LE. Recent interest in the regional interdependence model as well as case studies published in the literature suggests that the relationship of proximal or distal joints should not be overlooked. Compensatory strategies at the distal upper extremity due to changes at the shoulder may overload smaller muscles in the forearm which cannot safely handle the extra stress, especially under repetitive conditions. Conditions of the shoulder and elbow that were previously considered to be independent, specifically subacromial impingement syndrome and lateral epicondylalgia, need to be critically reexamined in the context of regional interdependence given the potential association between the conditions. Specific studies examining the muscle and joint characteristics of the shoulder and elbow are needed as they relate to subacromial impingement syndrome and LE. Anatomic adaptations and biomechanical alterations in the upper extremity could result in abnormal stress loads and microtrauma at the shoulder and lateral elbow.

title: Understanding the Linkage System of the Upper Extremity
abstract: The purpose of this article is to identify interrelationships within the body during pitching, tennis, and swimming. In the pitch the body's forces are relatively low during wind up and early cocking. If the lower extremities and trunk exhibit appropriate mechanics here, the risk of injury to the upper extremity later is minimized. One reason for tennis elbow may be that the feet have not caught up with the body during the backhand. The body's mechanics are off and the power must be generated by the small wrist extensors. In the freestyle stroke the relationship within the scapular muscles is identified. The muscles must antagonistically work together to minimize the risk of injury. If one muscle doesn't function (such as the serratus anterior) other muscles attempt to substitute (such as the rhomboids) and pathology may ensue. These examples demonstrate the clinical need to understand the mechanics of sport as well as to evaluate the patient beyond the painful anatomic area.

title: RADIO ULNAR PRONATION VS FOREARM EXTENSION: WHICH THE BEST TO REACH THE MAXIMAL BADMINTON RACKET VELOCITY?
abstract: 2020. T. 20, No 2. S. 99 107 99  Overhead movements are used to throw projectiles (e.g. balls, javelins) over distance. Such throwing motions of the upper extremity, where the arm is in abduction, have been analysed in different sports such as handball, volleyball, water polo, and baseball  The different overhead techniques used to launch or strike an object are quite similar in their temporal structure and in the kinematics, as shown by a recent study that compared the tennis serve, volleyball pike and handball throw [33] In the game of badminton, elite players are able to launch the projectile at high velocity. The fastest shot measured was executed by a Malaysian doubles' player Tan Boon Heong with the speed of 493 km*h (Yonex, 2013) To understand how such high velocity is possible, several studies have investigated power strokes, i.e. the clear and the smash [22, 23, 29, 30] Optimal coordination is brought about by transferring a great force from the lower limb [24, 27] to the upper limb  To produce the maximum velocity at the shuttlecock, players add velocity through a sequential proximo distal joint action [29] This proximo distal sequence has also been identified during the tennis serve, volley ball spike and handball throws [33] Specifically, for anover head stroke, players quickly stretch their forearm during the eccentric phase of the movement (lateral rotation of the shoulder and radio ulnar supination) followed by a rapid concentric action(medial rotation the shoulder and radio ulnar pronation)  The inverse sequence is performed for the backhand stroke (stretch by pronation and stroke by supination) Radio ulnar pronation contributes to 5 of the final shuttlecock velocity during a badminton smash [8, 31] Elites produce a higher projectile velocity than novices during a smash [29] Biomechanical analysis has revealed that elite players DOI: 10.14529/hsm200212

title: Shouldering the burden: a case of pain in the middle aged female athlete
abstract: A 56 year old previously well left handed woman presents to her family physician with a 2 year history of pain and stiffness in her left shoulder. She describes a constant 'ache' that became 'sharp' when playing tennis or golf. Over the last 2 months, the pain has become increasingly worse and she has had to reduce her tennis matches from four times per week to only once. On examination, there was a soft tissue swelling over the left shoulder with no bruising or muscle wasting. Her pain reproduced with active abduction of the left shoulder while the passive range of motion was full. There was reduced power with abduction and flexion of the shoulder. Sensation was intact in the upper extremity. Plain films and an ultrasound examination were performed (figures 1 and 2) Figure 1 Anteroposterior radiograph of the patient's left shoulder demonstrating a focus of calcification within a tendon of the rotator cuff, superior to the humeral head (arrow) Calcium deposition can be localised to the rotator cuff by anteroposterior radiographs in internal and external rotation as well as the axillary lateral radiograph. Figure 2 Sonographic image of the shoulder demonstrating a supraspinatus calcium deposit appearing as a well circumscribed, anechoic focus with posterior acoustic shadowing (arrow) What is the most likely diagnosis? For answer see page 1135 Shoulder pain is a frequent complaint among patients and diagnosing the cause can be challenging, often requiring imaging studies. As the first line modality, plain radiography should be ordered for all patients with pain persisting beyond 6  The differential diagnosis for this middle aged female patient with atraumatic shoulder pain includes arthritis and rotator cuff pathology. However, before considering these more common causes, it is important to exclude infection and malignancy. Septic arthritis is

title: Qing Shao Nian Wang Qiu Xuan Shou Ji Qiu Su Du Yu Ji Li Rou Ruan Du Min Jie Ping Heng Biao Xian Zhi Xiang Guan Xing Yan Jiu
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlations among ball speed of serve, forehand, backhand groundstrokes and tennis specific fitness tests for elite junior tennis players.  Twenty three elite junior tennis players were participate in this study. Tennis related fitness testing included body strength, flexibility, agility and balance ability. The data were analyzed by Pearson product moment correlation and multiple stepwise regression analysis to determine the correlation and predicted value.  The ball speed of serve (b=0.720, t=4.401, p<.05) forehand (b=0.798, t=5.453, p<.05) backhand (b=0.583, t=3.043, p<.05) was significantly and positive correlated with the distance of medicine ball throwing.  These results indicated that the junior tennis player hitting ball speed and upper body strength were the most relevant, furthermore, it is suggested that the junior tennis players need to raise training load focusing on the lower extremity muscle strength and explosive power of the jumping training.