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Williamson S, Ardern CL, Berry C, Heron N, van Rensburg DCJ, Jansen MGT, McCormick S, Reid M, Sánchez-Pay A, Saueressig T, Schoonmade LJ, Shaw RB, van der Slikke RMA, Webborn N, Pluim BM. The Physical Demands of Wheelchair Tennis Match Play: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Sports Med 2024; 54:1931-1953. [PMID: 38722535 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02028-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wheelchair tennis, a globally popular sport, features a professional tour spanning 40 countries and over 160 tournaments. Despite its widespread appeal, information about the physical demands of wheelchair tennis is scattered across various studies, necessitating a comprehensive systematic review to synthesise available data. OBJECTIVE The aim was to provide a detailed synthesis of the physical demands associated with wheelchair tennis, encompassing diverse factors such as court surfaces, performance levels, sport classes, and sexes. METHODS We conducted comprehensive searches in the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases, covering articles from inception to March 1, 2023. Forward and backward citation tracking from the included articles was carried out using Scopus, and we established eligibility criteria following the Population, Exposure, Comparison, Outcome, and Study design (PECOS) framework. Our study focused on wheelchair tennis players participating at regional, national, or international levels, including both juniors and adults, and open and quad players. We analysed singles and doubles matches and considered sex (male, female), sport class (open, quad), and court surface type (hard, clay, grass) as key comparative points. The outcomes of interest encompassed play duration, on-court movement, stroke performance, and physiological match variables. The selected study designs included observational cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies (baseline data only). We calculated pooled means or mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and employed a random-effects meta-analysis with robust variance estimation. We assessed heterogeneity using Cochrane Q and 95% prediction intervals. RESULTS Our literature search retrieved 643 records, with 24 articles meeting our inclusion criteria. Most available information focused on international male wheelchair tennis players in the open division, primarily competing in singles on hard courts. Key findings (mean [95% CI]) for these players on hard courts were match duration 65.9 min [55.0-78.8], set duration 35.0 min [28.2-43.5], game duration 4.6 min [0.92-23.3], rally duration 6.1 s [3.7-10.2], effective playing time 19.8% [18.9-20.7], and work-to-rest ratio 1:4.1 [1:3.7-1:4.4]. Insufficient data were available to analyse play duration for female players. However, for the available data on hard court matches, the average set duration was 34.8 min [32.5-37.2]. International male players on hard court covered an average distance per match of 3859 m [1917-7768], with mean and peak average forward speeds of 1.06 m/s [0.85-1.32] and 3.55 m/s [2.92-4.31], respectively. These players executed an average of 365.9 [317.2-422.1] strokes per match, 200.6 [134.7-299.0] per set, 25.4 [16.7-38.7] per game, and 3.4 [2.6-4.6] per rally. Insufficient data were available for a meta-analysis of female players' on-court movement and stroke performance. The average and peak heart rates of international male players on hard court were 134.3 [124.2-145.1] and 166.0 [132.7-207.6] beats per minute, and the average match heart rate expressed as a percentage of peak heart rate was 74.7% [46.4-100]. We found no studies concerning regional players or juniors, and only one study on doubles match play. CONCLUSIONS While we present a comprehensive overview of the physical demands of wheelchair tennis, our understanding predominantly centres around international male players competing on hard courts in the open division. To attain a more comprehensive insight into the sport's physical requirements, future research should prioritise the inclusion of data on female and quad players, juniors, doubles, and matches played on clay and grass court surfaces. Such endeavours will facilitate the development of more tailored and effective training programmes for wheelchair tennis players and coaches. The protocol for this systematic review was registered a priori at the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (Registration https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2023.3.0060 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Williamson
- International Tennis Federation, London, UK
- UK Sports Institute, Bath, UK
| | - Clare L Ardern
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Cain Berry
- International Tennis Federation, London, UK
| | - Neil Heron
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, England
| | - Dina C Janse van Rensburg
- Section Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Medical Advisory Panel, World Netball, Manchester, UK
| | - Marleen G T Jansen
- Sport Science Department, Royal Dutch Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB), Amstelveen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Samantha McCormick
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Machar Reid
- Tennis Australia, Melbourne, Australia
- University of Western Australia, School of Human Sciences, Perth, Australia
| | | | | | - Linda J Schoonmade
- University Library, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert B Shaw
- Spinal Cord Injury British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Nick Webborn
- IPC Medical Committee, Bonn, Germany
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Babette M Pluim
- Section Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
- Amsterdam Collaboration on Health & Safety in Sports (ACHSS), IOC Research Center of Excellence, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Academic Center for Evidence-Based Sports Medicine (ACES), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Medical Department, Royal Dutch Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB), Amstelveen, The Netherlands.
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Van der Slikke RMA, Sindall P, Goosey-Tolfrey VL, Mason BS. Load and performance monitoring in wheelchair court sports: A narrative review of the use of technology and practical recommendations. Eur J Sport Sci 2023; 23:189-200. [PMID: 34974822 DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2021.2025267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Quantifying measures of physical loading has been an essential part of performance monitoring within elite able-bodied sport, facilitated through advancing innovative technology. In wheelchair court sports (WCS) the inter-individual variability of physical impairments in the athletes increases the necessity for accurate load and performance measurements, while at the same time standard load monitoring methods (e.g. heart-rate) often fail in this group and dedicated WCS performance measurement methods are scarce. The objective of this review was to provide practitioners and researchers with an overview and recommendations to underpin the selection of suitable technologies for a variety of load and performance monitoring purposes specific to WCS. This review explored the different technologies that have been used for load and performance monitoring in WCS. During structured field testing, magnetic switch-based devices, optical encoders and laser systems have all been used to monitor linear aspects of performance. However, movement in WCS is multidirectional, hence accelerations, decelerations and rotational performance and their impact on physiological responses and determination of skill level, is also of interest. Subsequently both for structured field testing as well as match-play and training, inertial measurement units mounted on wheels and frame have emerged as an accurate and practical option for quantifying linear and non-linear movements. In conclusion, each method has its place in load and performance measurement, yet inertial sensors seem most versatile and accurate. However, to add context to load and performance metrics, position-based acquisition devices such as automated image-based processing or local positioning systems are required.Highlights Objective measures of wheelchair mobility performance are paramount in wheelchair court sport support, since they enable quantification of workload across athletes of all classifications and in structured field testing, training and match play settings.Given the variety of methods for load and performance monitoring in wheelchair court sports, this review: identified and examined the technology available; provides meaningful insights and decision guidelines; describes applicability for different goals; and proposes practical recommendations for researchers and sports professionals.Wheelchair mounted inertial sensors are most reliable and versatile for measuring wheelchair mobility performance and estimates of workload, yet a combination with local position measurement via indoor tracking or image-based processing could be useful to add context.For wheelchair athletes bound to a wheelchair for daily use, workload monitoring on a regular basis, both on- and off-court, is crucial to avoid overuse injuries. Alternatively, in athletes with lower severity impairments often lack frequent exposure to optimal and progressive loading, reducing the likelihood of positive physiological adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rienk M A Van der Slikke
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Hague, The Netherlands.,Peter Harrison Centre for Disability SportSchool of Sport, Exercise & Health SciencesLoughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Paul Sindall
- School of Health and SocietyUniversity of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Victoria L Goosey-Tolfrey
- Peter Harrison Centre for Disability SportSchool of Sport, Exercise & Health SciencesLoughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Barry S Mason
- Peter Harrison Centre for Disability SportSchool of Sport, Exercise & Health SciencesLoughborough University, Loughborough, UK
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Duvall J, Gebrosky B, Ruffing J, Anderson A, Ong SS, McDonough R, Cooper RA. Design of an adjustable wheelchair for table tennis participation. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2021; 16:425-431. [PMID: 32951495 PMCID: PMC10088366 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1821105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Physical activity and recreation are very important for people with disabilities and provide benefits for self-esteem, social relationships, employment, rehabilitation, and education. Para Table Tennis is an adaptive sport where participants compete in table tennis while sitting in a wheelchair. However, athletes generally use their everyday wheelchair instead of a device specifically designed for the sport. The specific support, movements, and posture needed to participate in table tennis at the highest level are different than general day-to-day mobility and a device could be optimized for the sport. This research describes the development of a wheelchair specifically designed for para table tennis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The design followed a participatory action design approach which identified the specific needs for a wheelchair to be used during para table tennis. RESULTS Three design needs were identified which included 1) locking the casters in the forward direction, 2) ability to raise the seat height as high as possible while allowing the user's knees to fit under the table, and 3) adjustable seat angle which will allow some users to have anterior tilt to get their trunk even higher while other users could have posterior tilt for stability. A new chair meeting these needs was designed and prototyped. CONCLUSIONS Para table tennis has some specific requirements related to movements and posture which were improved by a new wheelchair design specific for the sport.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONMany adaptive sports are improved with sport specific technology.A model client was used to develop a wheelchair specifically for adaptive table tennis.The height and angle of the seat of the new wheelchair can be adjusted for optimal stability and reach.The casters of the new wheelchair can be locked to allow only forward and backward motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Duvall
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Human Engineering Research Laboratories, US Department of Veterans Affairs and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin Gebrosky
- Human Engineering Research Laboratories, US Department of Veterans Affairs and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Ruffing
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Aaron Anderson
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Siew Seang Ong
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert McDonough
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rory A Cooper
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Human Engineering Research Laboratories, US Department of Veterans Affairs and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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