Basic relevant topics in the high-level competitive tennis players conditioning. Ideal for strength and conditioning coaches review their concepts and training methodologies

1. Physical Training in Tennis
Adriano Vretaros
Strength and Conditioning Coach
São Paulo – BRAZIL – avretaros@gmail.com

2. Bioenergetic in Tennis
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70% - ATP-CP
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20% - Anaerobic Lactic
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10% - Aerobic

3. Biomotor Capabilities in Tennis
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Strength (Maximum, Endurance, Explosive, Power)
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Endurance (ATP-CP, Anaerobic Lactic, Aerobic)
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Speed (Reaction, Motion, Displacement)
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Agility (Reactive)
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Coordination
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Balance (Dinamic, Static, Recovered)
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Flexibility

4. Motor Skills in Tennis
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Forehand
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Backhand
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Volley
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Smash
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Serve

5. Biomechanical Studies
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Trunk muscle activation
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Abdominal muscle activation(rectus abdominis, external
oblique and erector spinae)
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Ballistic muscle activation
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Primarilly eccentric compared to concentric muscle actions
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Stretch-shortening cycle(footwork)
(Knudson & Blackwell, 2000)

6. Periodization
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Microcycle
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Mesocycle
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Macrocycle
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Four parts: Preparatory, Precompetitive, Competitive and
Passive/Active Rest

7. Periodization Programs
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Calendar of excessive season
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Competition ~ 11months
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Peak Performance: 4 Grand Slams

8. Intensity of Tennis Match Play
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Combined periods of maximum or near the maximum work
and some long periods of moderate activity or low intensity
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Match intensity varies: players level, style(offensive or
defensive) and sex
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Court surface and Ball type
(Fernandez et alii, 2006)

9. Physiological Profile of Tennis
Match Play
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Intermittent activity
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VO2max ~ 51,1 +/- 10,9 ml.kg.min
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Lactate concentration(ranging from 0,7 to 5,2mmol.L)
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Enviromental Conditions
(Smekal et alii, 2001)

10. Physiological Profile of Tennis
Match Play
VARIABLES GAMES DEFENSE GAMES OFFENSE
VO2max 30,8+/-5,7 27,5+/-5,1
HR(bpm) 158+/-16 145+/-19
EPT(%) 29,3+/-12,1 20,3+/-8,2
DR(s) 8,2+/-5,1 4,8+/-1,8
SF(strokes-min) 42,6+/-9,6 47,1+/-6,9
(Smekal et alii, 2001)

11. Nutritional Aspects and Ergogenic
Aids
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Water and Electrolyte Balance (chronic
hypohydration)
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Carbohydrate Beverage (before, during, after) –
glycogen
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Carbohydrate-caffeine supplementation

12. Musculoskeletal Adaptations and
Injury
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High risk of overuse injury
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2,3 injuries/player/1000hours(67% overuse injuries)
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Anatomic locations(foot 19%, knee 15%, ankle 12% and elbow 12%)
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Supplemental Training (based on specific deficiencies in the
musculoskeletal)
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If necessary: rehabilitation process
(Chandler, 2000)