Worldwide no unique tennis specific endurance test exists. The Test profile is mostly characterised by multistage linear running on a treadmill (TT) which seems to be insignificantly valid in respect to the tennis specific profile of demands. Tests using a tennis ball machine (BMT) had been shown to be more valid, but they are difficult to standardise. Based on these problems the "Multistage 20 m Shuttle Run for Aerobic Fitness" (MFT) was internationally established for game players and could be useful in tennis as well. On the other hand, tennis players have to run shorter distances by using a specific foot work. Thus we found, that an adapted MFT for tennis players should be developed and transferred on the dimensions of a tennis court. Our study consisted of three steps, including test construction (step 1), test validation (step 2), and the development of norm values (step 3). Step 1: We developed the Hit & Turn Tennis Test (HTT) as an acoustically controlled and progressive fitness test for tennis players. The test can be easily carried out with a racket on a tennis court. The object of the test is to follow as long as possible the audible signals and to hold up the required footwork. The player has to run along the base line and to simulate a forehand or backhand shot in the respective corners just in time with the signals. The test consists of 20 levels (each 45 seconds) including an increasing number of forehand and backhand strokes. All levels are interrupted by a rest period of ten seconds. After level 4, 8, 12 and 16 a longer break of 20 seconds that can be used to take blood lactate samples. Step 2: On five experimental days twelve regionally ranked male tennis players completed five endurance tests in a randomised counterbalanced order: 1. HTT carpet I, 2. HTT carpet II, 3. HTT clay, 4. TT, 5. BMT. We determined VO2max (Cortex Metamax II, Leipzig, Germany) and submaximum performance at 4 mmol/l blood lactate concentration (P4). VO2max and P4 correlated significantly between HTT carpet I and II (0.942** and 0.848**) and between HTT carpet and HTT clay (0.713** and 0.880**) pointing to a sufficient reliability. VO2max and P4 showed a closer correlation between HTT and BMT (0.961** and 0.756**) than between TT and BMT (0.619* and 0.617*) which underlines the HTT validity. Step 3: We determined maximum test level (Lmax) and VO2max during the HTT in 70 nationally ranked female (under 14, under 16) and male junior tennis players (under 14, under 16, under 18) in different age groups. Lmax increased slightly in female (11.3 under 14, 11.6 under 16) and clearly in male players (13.2 under 14, 14.2 under 16, 15.3 under 18) with increasing age. VO2max showed no age related values in both, female (49.1 under 14, 48.6 under 16) and male players (58.0 under 14, 57.5 under 16, 59.5 under 18). We conclude that the HTT is a valid and reliable procedure for endurance testing in tennis. Lmax seems to be a better performance predictor in young athletes than VO2max.
© Copyright 2009 14th annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo/Norway, June 24-27, 2009, Book of Abstracts. Veröffentlicht von The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.