This study aimed to (1) evaluate inter-individual variability in knee kinematics during tennis serve among professional players and (2) investigate the relationships between these knee kinematics and indicators of serve performance. Twenty-three male ATP ranked players participated in this study. Their serve motion was captured using a marker-based motion capture system. The assessment of inter-individual variability was carried out via coefficient of variation (CV). Knee joint angle at maximum flexion and knee extension ROM for both knees are significantly and strongly correlated with ball impact height. This finding highlights the role of knee motion in serve performance. During the flexion phase, players employ individual strategies of knee kinematics whereas this is much less the case during the extension phase, probably because they must primarily respond to the task constraints.
© Copyright 2024 ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 42: Iss. 1. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.