The Effect of a Resistance Band Shoulder Strengthening Program on Tennis Serve Accuracy in Women’s Collegiate Tennis Players
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Janet Peterson
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Health, Human Performance and Athletics
Description
Purpose: Current research in tennis performance is focused on serve velocity, but there is limited research on tennis serve accuracy. The purpose of this study was to determine if a targeted shoulder-strengthening program had an effect on tennis serve accuracy.
Methods: Female college tennis players (n=12), age 18-21, were recruited. Participants were randomly placed in an intervention or control group. Participants (n=6) in the intervention group completed a resistance band training program, targeting the shoulder, twice a week over the course of a 5-week period. On the pre- and post-testing days, both groups performed a total of 20 serves. Participants were asked to aim their serves into five different zones on the tennis court. The number of times the participants hit within the target zone was recorded.
Results: There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. The experimental group significantly improved their serving accuracy after five weeks of focused strength training [F= (1,7) = 23.2, p=0.002]. The two conditions most improved by the intervention were zone 2 (p=0.04) and zone 3 (p<0.02).
Discussion: The serve is considered to be the most important shot in tennis. Our results suggest that a shoulder-focused resistance band training program is beneficial for serving accuracy in female college tennis players.
Recommended Citation
Riddle, Ella; Balala, Lucas; and Kopecka, Basia, "The Effect of a Resistance Band Shoulder Strengthening Program on Tennis Serve Accuracy in Women’s Collegiate Tennis Players" (2018). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 51.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2018/all/51
The Effect of a Resistance Band Shoulder Strengthening Program on Tennis Serve Accuracy in Women’s Collegiate Tennis Players
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Purpose: Current research in tennis performance is focused on serve velocity, but there is limited research on tennis serve accuracy. The purpose of this study was to determine if a targeted shoulder-strengthening program had an effect on tennis serve accuracy.
Methods: Female college tennis players (n=12), age 18-21, were recruited. Participants were randomly placed in an intervention or control group. Participants (n=6) in the intervention group completed a resistance band training program, targeting the shoulder, twice a week over the course of a 5-week period. On the pre- and post-testing days, both groups performed a total of 20 serves. Participants were asked to aim their serves into five different zones on the tennis court. The number of times the participants hit within the target zone was recorded.
Results: There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. The experimental group significantly improved their serving accuracy after five weeks of focused strength training [F= (1,7) = 23.2, p=0.002]. The two conditions most improved by the intervention were zone 2 (p=0.04) and zone 3 (p<0.02).
Discussion: The serve is considered to be the most important shot in tennis. Our results suggest that a shoulder-focused resistance band training program is beneficial for serving accuracy in female college tennis players.
