This study aimed (a) to evaluate a new training load parameter in tennis based on the ball-hitting frequency (Ballf) at VO2max occurs (maximal aerobic frequency of ball hitting, MAF) and (b) to assess the accuracy of a specific endurance tennis test (SET-Test) for predicting MAF. Thirty-five male competitive tennis players performed the SET-Test and selected physiological and performance parameters at maximal workload (MAX), and last completed stage (LS) and MAF were compared. Performance parameters (Ballf, time, stage, and hits per test) at LS were higher than at MAF (20.2 ± 1.7 vs. 18.1 ± 1.5 shots/min, 6.6 ± 0.8 vs. 5.6 ± 0.8 stages, and 189 ± 33 vs. 147 ± 27 hits; p < 0.001), and highly correlated (r = 0.72-0.77; p < 0.001). The mean difference between Ballf and stage at MAF and LS were 2.1 ± 1.1 shots/min and 1.1 ± 0.6 stages, respectively. The main physiological parameters (heart rate, VO2, and VCO2 at LS) were higher than at MAF (191 ± 9 vs. 186 ± 8 beats/min, 55.5 ± 5.9 vs. 55.0 ± 6.0 ml/kg/min and 4,724 ± 880 vs. 4,253 ± 739 ml/min; p < 0.005), and were very strongly correlated (r = 0.93-0.99; p < 0.001). We conclude that MAF can be used as a practical performance parameter to prescribe tennis-specific training, and that the SET-Test is a valid method for assessing MAF. Gas exchange measurements not being available, as a rule of thumb, most players reach their MAF at ~1 stage (95% confidence interval: 0.9-1.2) and ~2 shots·min-1 (95% confidence interval: 1.7-2.5) less than their completed LS. A model for specific on-court training protocols for optimizing aerobic fitness in competitive tennis player is proposed.
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