The effects of a 12 week conditioning program on fitness in female collegiate tennis players

Date

2000-08

Authors

Smith, William M.

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Abstract

Previous research has failed to show the effects of a specific training program for tennis players. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 12-week off-season training program on cardio-respiratory endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, agility, power, and body composition in collegiate female tennis players. The subjects were 6 female tennis players and 15 female college students in assorted P.E. classes served as a control group. The subjects performed the 1.5-mile run, vertical jump, medicine ball chest pass, push-ups, sit-ups, grip strength, flexibility and three agility tests pre- and post- training. The tennis players completed a 12-week training program specifically designed to prepare for tennis competition, while the control group participated in various physical education classes. The treatment group showed improvements in the fitness components (1.5 mile run, sit-up test, push-up test, sit-and-reach) and two of the three agility tests but did not show any improvement in body weight, percent fat, grip strength or power tests. The control group showed no improvement on any of the tests. These data suggest that a 12-week specific training program may improve aerobic fitness, muscular endurance, lower-back and hamstring flexibility, and agility in female collegiate tennis players. However, the length of this 12-week program may not have been sufficient to cause improvement in grip strength or upper and lower body power.

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tennis, conditioning programs, fitness

Citation

Smith, W. M. (2000). The effects of a 12 week conditioning program on fitness in female collegiate tennis players (Unpublished thesis). Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.

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