This lecture gives an overview about the physiological demands of competition and training in racket sports with a special emphasis on tennis. Results from multiple studies related to the physiological and psychological work load profile of competitions during real tournaments and during training are compared to the metabolic demands of continuous exercises such as running. The specificities of racket sport competition are pointed out as important guidelines for the prescription of trainings drills and the construction of fitness tests. Beside of more general guidelines, individualized concepts for training prescription based on specific testing results and the daily monitoring of fatigue and recovery are presented. Short and long-term effects of different recovery interventions (e. g. cold water immersion, active recovery, foam rolling) as well as the usefulness of nutritional supplements (e. g. creatine monohydrate) are discussed. Implications from tennis related findings to research and practice in other racket sports will be pointed out. Participants will understand more about the importance of a close relationship between theory and practice and will get evidence based take home guidelines.
© Copyright 2019 Science and Racket Sports VI. Published by Mahidol University, Badminton World Federation, International Table Tennis Federation. All rights reserved.