Introduction The effects of the type of ground surface on the physiological and technical characteristics of the tennis game have not been investigated yet (Richers, T.A., 1995, Journal of Human Movement Studies, 28, 73-86). The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that to play on clay would induce longer exchanges and therefore different metabolic responses than on Greenset®. Methods: Seven young (15.1 ± 2.4 yr) tennis players well-trained performed firstly a maximal test to exhaustion and secondly two randomised 30-min games on clay and on Greenset®, respectively. The following variables (Oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio) were measured by a portable breath-by-breath gaz-exchange analyzing system (K4b², Cosmed, Italy), blood lactate concentration by the Lactate Pro (Arkray, Japan) and the technical characteristics (duration of the exchange, distance ran and number of consecutive shots,..) by video analysis. Results: Mean physiological parameters were higher (p < 0.05) on clay than on Greenset® : Oxygen uptake (40.3 ± 5.7 vs. 35.9 ± 7.5 ml.kg-1.min-1), minute ventilation (58.9 ± 15.6 vs. 50.7 ± 12.3 l.min-1), heart rate (181.8 ± 11.9 vs. 172.8 ± 17.2 bpm), respiratory exchange ratio (1.04 ± 0.07 vs. 0.98 ± 0.07) ; but lactate concentration was not different (2.36 ± 0.47 vs. 3.08 ± 1.12 mmol.l-1). Similarly, the technical characteristics were higher (p < 0.01) on clay : duration of the exchange (7.2 ± 1.7 vs. 5.9 ± 1.2 s), distance ran (9.8 ± 2.5 vs. 7.7 ± 1.7 m) and number of consecutive shots (2.5 ± 0.5 vs. 1.9 ± 0.4). High correlations were found between several physiological and technical characteristics: %O2max and number of consecutive shots (r = 0.99; p < 0.001), %O2max and duration of the exchange (r = 0.97; p < 0.001) and %HRmax and distance ran (r = 0.92; p < 0.01). Discussion: The differences in the technical characteristics explain to a great extent the physiological differences observed between clay and Greenset®. Although the anaerobic contribution seems not different, the aerobic pathway is more sollicited on clay due to the length of the exchanges allowing a greater increase in O2 and HR. Conclusion: The present results showing physiological and technical differences between clay and Greenset® suggest that the young players may benefit to practice on different ground surfaces; on clay to increase their endurance and on various surfaces to enhance their technical skills.
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