A preliminary study on implementation of aerobic fitness training in tennis coaches training program

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to explore the implementation of aerobic fitness training among Malaysian tennis coaches in their training program. Eight qualified with tennis specific and sports science accreditations tennis coaches were interviewed. Their average age and total years of coaching experience are 39.3 ± 10.6 years and 14.9 ± 8.6 years respectively. Five themes were emerged from the qualitative analysis which are the type of training, training period, training frequency, training duration, and training intensity. Analysis of the interviews indicated that the coaches usually allocated about 2 to 4 weeks for aerobic fitness training with frequency of 3 sessions in a week. The coaches also prefer to conduct running activities within 20 to 45 minutes. However, none of the coaches monitor or properly control the aerobic fitness activities. Thus, this study suggesting a specific aerobic fitness training program for tennis players to be developed to assist the coaches conducting a proper aerobic fitness training in the future.