The aim of this study was to quantify biomechanical changes that occur in the serve throughout a prolonged tennis match. Serves of tennis players were recorded with a motion capture system before (T0) during (T90), and after (T180) a 3-hour match. Before and after each match, EMG data of upper limb muscles were analyzed to determine the presence of muscular fatigue. RPE and ball velocity and biomechanical variables were analyzed. Decreases in ball velocity; maximal angular velocities and increase in RPE were observed. The majority of the upper limb joint kinetics decreases between T0 and T180. No change in timing of maximal angular velocities was observed. A prolonged tennis match induces fatigue in upper limb muscles, which decreases performance and modifies serve biomechanics.
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