Maximum Grip Strength and Body Composition Variables as Predictors of Serving Velocity and Racquet Speed in a Tennis Serve
Location
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
7
Start Date
4-7-2021 11:30 AM
End Date
4-7-2021 11:45 AM
Department
Exercise Physiology
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that in overhead motion sports, such as handball and baseball, movements that generate ball velocity are associated with body composition. However, the relationship between components of body composition, such as fat and muscle mass, and tennis serving velocity have not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine body composition components and grip strength in predicting serve velocity and racquet speed in NCAA-DIII collegiate tennis athletes. Participants for this study were recruited from the men’s and women’s Varsity Tennis teams at the University of Lynchburg. Body composition components of percent of lean tissue, fat tissue, and water content were assessed by a multipoint bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Maximum grip strength was determined using a digital, handheld dynamometer. These measurements served as the independent variables in this study to see how these predict a tennis athlete’s serving velocity and average racquet speed as measured by a radar gun.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Jill LucasDr. Jeffrey HerrickDr. Sean CollinsDr. Beth Savage
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Maximum Grip Strength and Body Composition Variables as Predictors of Serving Velocity and Racquet Speed in a Tennis Serve
It has been demonstrated that in overhead motion sports, such as handball and baseball, movements that generate ball velocity are associated with body composition. However, the relationship between components of body composition, such as fat and muscle mass, and tennis serving velocity have not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine body composition components and grip strength in predicting serve velocity and racquet speed in NCAA-DIII collegiate tennis athletes. Participants for this study were recruited from the men’s and women’s Varsity Tennis teams at the University of Lynchburg. Body composition components of percent of lean tissue, fat tissue, and water content were assessed by a multipoint bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Maximum grip strength was determined using a digital, handheld dynamometer. These measurements served as the independent variables in this study to see how these predict a tennis athlete’s serving velocity and average racquet speed as measured by a radar gun.