The fractional utilisation of maximal oxygen consumption during execution of ground strokes and simulated match in 14 to 18 years Malaysian singles tennis players

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to determine the fractional utilisation of maximum oxygen uptake capacity (% VO2max) during execution of ground strokes and tennis match play. Ten male Malaysian state-level tennis players participated in this study. Age, height, weight and VO2max of the players were 15.3 + 1.2 years, 164.0 + 7.4 cm, 52.3 + 11.5 kg and 51.7 + 7.3 ml·kg - ¹·min - ¹ respectively. This study was conducted in 3 phases: laboratory test (Phase I), on-court test (Phase II) and simulated match (Phase III). Fraction of VO2max during execution of forehand and backhand strokes were 71.6 + 10.9% and 72.3 + 8.8% respectively, whereas tennis match play demanded 69.3 + 9.8% of VO2max. Execution of forehand and backhand strokes led to a blood lactate concentration of approximately 6 mmol·L??1, indicating the involvement of anaerobic glycolysis. On the other hand, due to the intermittent nature of the game and the work-rest ratio of 1 : 2.2, the post-match blood lactate was found to be 3.21 + 0.2 mmol·L??1, reflecting an aerobic dominance in the game. The mean match heart rate (154.3 + 15.4 beats·min - ¹) was lower than mean anaerobic threshold heart rate (164.7 + 5.7 beats·min - ¹), signifying a lower blood lactate level less than 4.0 mmol·L??1 in a tennis match. It This might be due to the fact that long rest pauses caused removal of blood lactate as well as recovery of heart rate. Video analysis of the matches revealed that the players executed more forehand strokes (P<0.001) than the backhand strokes. Since similar heart rate and VO2 responses were observed for forehand and backhand strokes, it is suggested that the players should train themselves equally on both ground strokes. During the longest rally, mean heart rate of the players was 174.9 + 3.1 beats·min - ¹, which corresponded to 84.5 + 2.2% of VO2max. In addition, rallies per game, mean rally duration and strokes per rally were found to be 5.7 + 2.4, 4.5 + 1.5 seconds and 2.8 + 0.8 shots, respectively. Hence, it is concluded that the Malaysian state-level tennis players possessed a moderately good aerobic capacity. This can be improved to the international standard through endurance and intermittent type of training. Improvement in VO2max may enhance the playing intensity of the match as well a better recovery in the rest pauses and also delay the onset of fatigue during a match. From video match analysis and heart rate VO2 relationship, it is suggested that the players should also improve the alactic anaerobic component through short bursts of repeated movements of 5-8 seconds durations.