Analysis of Specific Physical Fitness in High-Level Table Tennis Players-Sex Differences

Table tennis performance depends on multiple factors such as technique, tactics and fitness. Several studies have focused on investigating different technical-tactical variables. However, research analysing the specific physical qualities of this sport is scarce, particularly in the female sex. The...

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Published inInternational journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 19; no. 9; p. 5119
Main Authors Pradas, Francisco, Toro-Román, Víctor, de la Torre, Ana, Moreno-Azze, Alejandro, Gutiérrez-Betancur, Juan Francisco, Ortega-Zayas, Miguel Ángel
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland MDPI AG 22.04.2022
MDPI
Subjects
Acceleration
Athletes
Exercise
Female
Females
Gender aspects
Grip strength
Hand Strength
Hands
Humans
Jumping
Lateral displacement
Male
Males
Metabolism
Oxygen consumption
Physical Fitness
Players
Reaction time
Sex Characteristics
Sex differences
Table tennis
Tactics
Tennis
Germany
Finland
racket sport
exercise
table tennis
physical fitness
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Summary:Table tennis performance depends on multiple factors such as technique, tactics and fitness. Several studies have focused on investigating different technical-tactical variables. However, research analysing the specific physical qualities of this sport is scarce, particularly in the female sex. The aim of the present study was to assess the physical fitness variables associated with individual performance in elite table tennis players according to sex. Forty-eight elite players divided into males (n = 24; 25.38 ± 4.01 years) and females (n = 24; 22.33 ± 3.83 years) participated in the study. To determine physical fitness, participants performed vertical jump, hand grip strength, ergospirometry and lateral displacement tests (reaction time, displacement time and lateral acceleration). Male players showed higher values in vertical jump, hand grip strength and maximum oxygen consumption (p < 0.001). Likewise, male players moved laterally faster (p < 0.001). On the other hand, female players had a better reaction time towards the dominant side (p < 0.01). Elite male table tennis players showed better physical fitness compared to female players. Due to the scarcity of data on elite table tennis players, these results can serve as reference values for different table tennis practitioners.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph19095119