In-Season Effect of a Combined Repeated Sprint and Explosive Strength Training Program on Elite Junior Tennis Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a combined explosive strength and repeated sprint-training program (two times per week) on performance (sprint, jumping ability and repeated sprint ability) in young elite tennis players during a competitive period. Eight competitive internationally ranked male junior tennis players participated in an 8 week training intervention. After training, except for percentage of decrement in the repeated sprint test (p = 0.72) and maximal aerobic performance (p = 1.0), all performance variables (i.e., sprint, countermovement jump, repeated sprint ability) were significantly improved (p < 0.05; Effect sizes ranging from 0.56 to 1.12). Although one can expect grater effects of explosive strength or repeated sprint training programs alone than a combined program, the results obtained here show that the inclusion of a combined explosive strength and repeated sprint training program seems to be an effective training tool to improve neuromuscular performance (i.e., changes in jumping ability and single sprint) as well as repeated sprint ability in high-level tennis players.

In-Season Effect of a Combined Repeated Sprint and Explosive Strength Training Program on Elite Junior Tennis Players (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269115556_In-Season_Effect_of_a_Combined_Repeated_Sprint_and_Explosive_Strength_Training_Program_on_Elite_Junior_Tennis_Players [accessed Jul 24, 2017].