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The main objective of this study was to analyze how professional male padel players technically-tactically behave and to whether determine if there are any differences between one game side and the other (left game side, LGS; right game side, RGS). The sample included 12.851 shots corresponding to 8 matches from the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals of the Premier Padel circuit held in 2022 where 16 different professional right-handed padel male players participated. All matches were analyzed through systematic observation using an ad-hoc instrument. Variables such as, type of strokes, outcomes, hitting zones and switching displacements, were taken into account. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found on forehands, backhands, backhand volleys, forehand lobs, backhand lobs, counter wall forehand, counter-lateral wall forehand and backhand, and wall descent stroke backhand. Also, significant differences were found regarding the stroke outcomes: into play (RGS 46.4%; p < 0.05); winners (LGS 2.3%; p < 0.01). Finally, significant differences were noticed between switching displacements in which the LGS players switched considerably more times than the RGS (66.7%; p < 0.001). The reported results proved that there exist differences between both game sides regarding their strokes, stroke outcomes, and switching displacements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Padel is an intermittent sport that has significantly increased its practice in the past years. Previous studies showed that physical demands significantly differed depending on the results of the match (win or lose). However, no previous studies have investigated the effects on the heart rate variability (HRV) of padel players. The present study examined the impact of winning or losing a padel match on the player's HRV. A total of 27 players, with a mean age of 37.26 (9.42) years old and a body mass index (BMI) of 26.26 (3.21) participated in our study. The participant's HRV was assessed before, during and after a padel match. The match results were used to divide the sample between winners and losers. Time domain, frequency domain and non-linear measures were extracted. Results showed that both groups significantly decreased their HRV during and after the match. However, significant differences (p > 0.05) were not found between winners and losers in the HRV while playing padel or after the match. These differences could indicate that the physical load was similar in the two groups. Results highlight the importance and usefulness of analysing the HRV as an indicator of post-competitive fatigue in medium-level padel players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyse the impact of match outcome (win or lose) in an elite international tennis competition on pre-competitive anxiety and self-confidence. A cohort of Under-16 elite boys (n = 18), with a mean age of 15.44 (0.616) years and an international competitive experience of 4.44 (1.89) years, which were representing six national teams participated in this cross-sectional study. The assessments took part in a qualifying stage of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Davis Cup competition. During the tournament, participants played the best of three set matches. The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory – 2R (CSAI-2R) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-E) were employed to assess the pre-competitive anxiety before and after the tournament's match. Cognitive and somatic anxiety were slightly higher before than after the matches. No significant differences were found between the pre-and post-match measures. However, significant differences in cognitive anxiety, state anxiety and self-confidence were found when comparing pre-match and post-match values between winners and losers. In this regard, winners showed a significant reduction in state anxiety and cognitive anxiety after the match. According to our results, intervention programmes should incorporate tools that will assist players in their management of anxiety and self-confidence, specifically with those players who lost the match. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of the distribution of practice on learning the forehand shot in tennis. Method: Twenty-four beginner tennis players participated in the study (13 males and 11 female; 8.63 ± 0.92 years old). The players were separated after groups -massed practice (N = 12) and distributed practice (N = 12). Each group practiced the forehand shot for 12 sessions, 4 series per session and 10 trials/series (6 weeks). The accuracy and efficacy were measured through one post-test and one retest, carried out 2 weeks after the last learning session. Results: Significant improvements in accuracy between the pre-test and post-test (p =.004) and between pre-test and re-test (p =.006) were found in the massed practice group. Significant improvements in accuracy between the pre-test and post-test (p =.002) and between pre-test and re-test (p =.001) were found in the distributed practice group. No significant differences were found between groups but there was a favourable trend toward better learning in both, with improved accuracy and efficacy. Conclusion: The motor learning through the distribution of practice among children has been noted, with a significant improvement in the skill acquisition of the forehand shot in the two groups. The results are useful because they clear up the doubts about how to plan the teaching of this stroke in tennis, confirming the suitability of carrying out learning programs based on massed and distributed practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jumping ability has been identified as one of the best predictors of dance performance. The latest findings in strength and conditioning research suggest that the relationship between force and velocity mechanical capabilities, known as the force-velocity profile, is a relevant parameter for the assessment of jumping ability. In addition, previous investigations have suggested the existence of an optimal force-velocity profile for each individual that maximizes jump performance. Given the abundance of ballistic actions in ballet (e.g., jumps and changes of direction), quantification of the mechanical variables of the force-velocity profile could be beneficial for dancers as a guide to specific training regimens that can result in improvement of either maximal force or velocity capabilities. The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical variables of the force-velocity profile during jumping in different company ranks of ballet dancers. Eighty-seven female professional ballet dancers (age: 18.94 ± 1.32 years; height: 164.41 ± 8.20 cm; weight: 56.3 ± 5.86 kg) showed high force deficits (> 40%) or low force deficits (10% to 40%) regardless of their company rank. Our results suggest that dance training mainly develops velocity capabilities, and due to the high number of dramatic elevations that dance performance requires, supplemental individualized force training may be beneficial for dancers. The individualization of training programs addressed to the direction of each individual's imbalance (high force or low force) could help dancers and their teachers to improve jump height and therefore dance performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analysed the extrinsic constraint of induced aerodynamic flow (IAF) on the first serve by expert tennis players with temporal organization of the movement, as well as the velocity and amplitude of the racket motion analyzed. Twelve expert right-handed tennis players voluntarily participated in this study. Each player performed 20 trials without IAF and another 20 trials for each different speed configuration of induced crosswind: 2.4 m/s; 4.3 m/s; 5.8 m/s; and random speed. The coefficient of variation, r-pearson test and the inferential test one-way ANOVA were used to compare movement data. The results suggest spatio-temporal adjustments depending on the wind speed. Moreover, statistical differences were identified on both the temporal organization of the serve and on the racket's motion amplitude and velocity. The intra- and interindividual variability of the motor behavior shows the uniqueness of the serve movement of each player. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]