Hip joint kinetics in the table tennis topspin forehand: relationship to racket velocity

Impacts of Racket Handle Design on Table Tennis Topspin Forehand Rally Performance Among Beginner Players

Physical inactivity is a major global public health concern, and table tennis offers a low-impact, engaging way to promote physical activity across various age groups. However, many beginners struggle to maintain effective participation due to their lower skill levels. Therefore, the development and reinforcement of stable grip techniques is crucial because it will help beginners achieve sustainable improvements in performance. This will provide additional opportunities to increase physical activity, and therefore overall health, across all age groups. Thus, in this study, we investigate the effects of a prototype table tennis handle on the racket angle and performance of beginners. The prototype handle features a 20° tilt to assist the player in maintaining a stable topspin forehand grip during play. The participants were randomized into three groups, Groups A, B, and C, which used the prototype handle, standard handle, and practiced with the prototype but performed tests with the standard handle, respectively. The participants executed topspin forehand strokes in approximately 30 min of practice, and data on racket angles, swing mechanics, success rates, and ball landing positions were collected. The results showed that Group A exhibited a larger racket open angle and a smaller racket face Angle than the other groups. However, the groups showed no significant differences in hit positions or overall success rates. Our results suggest that although the prototype handle can influence racket angles and some performance aspects, individual differences and swing mechanics should be considered.

Research on the difference of stroke characteristics and stroke effect between different stroke duration of table tennis players

This study aimed to explore the differences in joint kinematic characteristics and stroke effect between fast and slow strokes of table tennis players. Thirty-four table tennis players were randomly selected as participants for this experiment. A high-speed infrared motion capture system was used to collect kinematic data of the right-side upper and lower limb joints during strokes. Simultaneously, a high-speed camera was used to measure the stroke effect. According to the duration of a stroke, the stroke data were classified into two types: fast-stroke and slow-stroke using a two-step clustering algorithm. The duration of the three phases of fast-stroke was shorter, with faster ball speed and stronger spin. Compared with slow-stroke, fast-stroke exhibited shorter displacements in the three lower limb joints and faster linear velocities in the three upper limb joints. In addition, the motion angles of the knee and ankle joints were smaller, while the angles of the hip, shoulder, and elbow joints were larger, with higher angular velocities. Increasing the extension speed of the lower limbs, the flexion speed of the elbow joints, and the wrist movement speed can achieve fast strokes, enhancing ball speed and spin. Small and quick hip joint movement can effectively transfer energy to the upper limbs, increasing the movement speed of the elbow and wrist joints, thus improving the ball speed and spin of the stroke.

Lumbar and pelvis movement comparison between cross-court and long-line topspin forehand in table tennis: based on musculoskeletal model

Introduction: Cross-court and the long-line topspin forehand is the common and basic stroke skill in table tennis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in lumbar and pelvis movements between cross-court and long-line topspin forehand strokes in table tennis based on musculoskeletal demands using OpenSim. Materials and Methods: The eight-camera Vicon system and Kistler force platform were used to measure kinematics and kinetics in the lumbar and pelvis movement of sixteen participants (Weight: 69.89 ± 1.58 kg; Height: 1.73 ± 0.03 m; Age: 22.89 ± 2.03 years; BMI: 23.45 ± 0.69 kg/m²; Experience: 8.33 ± 0.71 years) during cross-court and long-line topspin forehand play. The data was imputed into OpenSim providing the establishment of the Giat2392 musculoskeletal model for simulation. One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping and independent samples t-test was performed in MATLAB and SPSS to analyze the kinematics and kinetics. Results: The results show that the range of motion, peak moment, and maximum angle of the lumbar and pelvis movement in cross-court play were significantly higher than in the long-line stroke play. The moment of long-line in the sagittal and frontal plane was significantly higher than cross-court play in the early stroke phase. Conclusion: The lumbar and pelvis embody greater weight transfer and greater energy production mechanisms when players performed cross-court compared to long-line topspin forehand. Beginners could enhance their motor control strategies in forehand topspin skills and master this skill more easily based on the results of this study.

Lower Limb Biomechanics during the Topspin Forehand in Table Tennis: A Systemic Review

The aim of this study is to review the valuable lower limb biomechanical contribution to table tennis topspin forehand. Databases included Scopus, PubMed, and Web of science. In this case, 19 articles were selected for the systematic review. The mechanics of the plantar, lower limb joints kinematics and kinetics, muscle activity, and racket-joint relationship are described through gender, performance level, and footwork. The study found that the hip movement characteristics and the hip muscle group activity following a proximal-to-distal sequence strategy significantly contributed to the maximum acceleration of the racket. Optimizing the motion strategy of the ankle and plantar as well as the ankle muscle group activity is beneficial for the transmission of energy in the kinetic chain. Muscle groups around the ankle and subtalar joints are heavily activated during landing to maintain foot stability during the landing phase. Lower limb muscle development plays an important role in movement control and stability as well as sports injury prevention in table tennis footwork during the performance of the topspin forehand. Furthermore, physical development levels and anatomical differences (such as hip and lower trunk muscle strength differences), maybe the main reasons for gender differences observed during the topspin forehand. Systematically summarizing this valuable information can contribute to athletes’ and coaches’ knowledge to enhance topspin forehand performance and training regimes. We suggest that future research could consider the joint contact forces, ball movement, and ball-racket impact during a performance of topspin forehand.

The Application of Statistical Parametric Mapping to Evaluate Differences in Topspin Backhand between Chinese and Polish Female Table Tennis Players

The research is aimed at comparing the kinematics (the movement pattern in the most important joints and accelerations of the playing hand) between female table tennis players coached in Poland (POL) and China (CHIN) during the performance of a topspin backhand stroke (so-called quick topspin). The study involved six female table tennis players at a high sports skill level, playing in Poland's highest league. Three were national team members of Poland (age: 20.3 ± 1.9), while the other three were players from China (age: 20.0 ± 0.0). Kinematics was measured using MR3 myoMuscle Master Edition system—inertial measurement unit (IMU) system. The participants performed one task of topspin backhand as a response to a topspin ball, repeated 15 times. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was calculated using SPM1D in a Python package that offered a high-level interface to SPM1D. The SPM method allowed for the determination of differences between the Chinese and Polish female athletes. The differences found are probably mainly due to differences in the training methodologies caused by different coaching systems. The observed differences include, among others, greater use of the so-called small steps in order to adapt and be ready during the back to ready position and backswing phases, which gives the CHIN players slightly better conditions for preparation for the next plays. The CHIN players' position compared to that of the POL players favours a quicker transition from the backhand to the forehand play. This difference is probably related to the difference in the dominant playing styles of the groups studied. Despite the differences in movement patterns in both groups, the exact value of playing hand was achieved. This may be a manifestation of the phenomenon of equifinality and compensation. All the differences found are probably mainly due to differences in the training methodologies caused by different coaching systems.

Can the Open Stance Forehand Increase the Risk of Hip Injuries in Tennis Players?

Background

The open stance forehand has been hypothesized by tennis experts (coaches, scientists, and clinicians) to be more traumatic than the neutral stance forehand as regards hip injuries in tennis. However, the influence of the forehand stance (open or neutral) on hip kinematics and loading has not been assessed.

Purpose

To compare the kinematics and kinetics at the hip joint during 3 common forehand stances (attacking neutral stance [ANS], attacking open stance [AOS], defensive open stance [DOS]) in advanced tennis players to determine whether the open stance forehand induces higher hip loading.

Study Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

The ANS, AOS, and DOS forehand strokes of 8 advanced right-handed tennis players were recorded with an optoelectronic motion capture system. The flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and external-internal rotation angles as well as intersegmental forces and torques of the right hip were calculated using inverse dynamics.

Results

The DOS demonstrated significantly higher values than both the ANS and AOS for anterior (P < .001), medial (P < .001), and distractive (P < .001) forces as well as extension (P = .004), abduction (P < .001), and external rotation (P < .001) torques. The AOS showed higher distractive forces than the ANS (P = .048). The DOS showed more extreme angles of hip flexion (P < .001), abduction (P < .001), and external rotation (P = .010).

Conclusion

The findings of this study imply that the DOS increased hip joint angles and loading, thus potentially increasing the risk of hip overuse injuries. The DOS-induced hip motion could put players at a higher risk of posterior-superior hip impingement compared with the ANS and AOS.

Clinical Relevance

Coaches and clinicians with players who have experienced hip pain or sustained injuries should encourage them to use a more neutral stance and develop a more aggressive playing style to avoid the DOS, during which hip motion and loading are more extreme.

The correlation between stroke characteristics and stroke effect of young table tennis players

BACKGROUND

An optimal stroke is essential for winning table tennis competition. The main purpose of this study was to examine the correlations between the stroke characteristics and the stroke effect.

METHODS

Forty-two young table tennis players were randomly selected from China Table Tennis College (M<inf>age=</inf>14.21; M<inf>height=</inf>1.57m; M<inf>weight=</inf>46.05 kg, right-hand racket, shake-hands grip, no injuries in each joint of the body). The high-speed infrared motion capture system was used to collect the data of stroke characteristics, and the high-speed camera was used to measure the spin speed of the stroke. The influence of stroke characteristics on stroke effect was analyzed.

RESULTS

The time duration of backswing and forward motion were significantly correlated with ball speed (r=-0.403, P<0.01; r=-0.390, P<0.01, respectively) and spin speed (r=-0.244, P=0.027; r=-0.369, P<0.01, respectively). The ball speed was positively correlated with the linear velocity of right wrist joint (r=0.298, P<0.01), and the angular velocity of right elbow joint (r=0.219, P=0.013), right hip joint (r=0.427, P<0.01) and right ankle joint (r=0.443, P<0.01). The spin speed was positively correlated with the linear velocity of right wrist joint (r=0.238, P=0.031), and the angular velocity of right elbow joint (r=0.172, P=0.048) and right hip joint (r=0.277, P=0.012). The placement had a negative correlation with the angular velocity of right knee joint (r=-0.246, P=0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

The time allocation of the three phases of backspin forehand stroke had an important correlation with stroke effect, especially the ball speed and spin speed. The movement of the right wrist joint and right ankle joint were mainly correlated with the ball speed of the stroke. The spin speed of the stroke was mainly correlated with the movement of the right wrist joint. The placement of the stroke was mainly correlated with the rotation of the right knee joint.

Biomechanics of Table Tennis: A Systematic Scoping Review of Playing Levels and Maneuvers

This present study aims to review the available evidence on the biomechanics of table-tennis strokes. Specifically, it summarized current trends, categorized research foci, and biomechanical outcomes regarding various movement maneuvers and playing levels. Databases included were Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and PubMed. Twenty-nine articles were identified meeting the inclusion criteria. Most of these articles revealed how executing different maneuvers changed the parameters related to body postures and lines of movement, which included racket face angle, trunk rotation, knee, and elbow joints. It was found that there was a lack of studies that investigated backspin maneuvers, longline maneuvers, strikes against sidespin, and pen-hold players. Meanwhile, higher-level players were found to be able to better utilize the joint power of the shoulder and wrist joints through the full-body kinetic chain. They also increased plantar pressure excursion in the medial-lateral direction, but reduced in anterior-posterior direction to compromise between agility and dynamic stability. This review identified that most published articles investigating the biomechanics of table tennis reported findings comparing the differences among various playing levels and movement tasks (handwork or footwork), using ball/racket speed, joint kinematics/kinetics, electromyography, and plantar pressure distribution. Systematically summarizing these findings can help to improve training regimes in order to attain better table tennis performance.