Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
ISSN: 1303 - 2968   
Ios-APP Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
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©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2013) 12, 298 - 308

Research article
The Effect of Moderate and High-Intensity Fatigue on Groundstroke Accuracy in Expert and Non-Expert Tennis Players
Mark Lyons1, , Yahya Al-Nakeeb2,3, Joanne Hankey4, Alan Nevill5
Author Information
1 Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland
2 Graduate School, Newman University College, Birmingham, UK
3 College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
4 Department of Biomolecular and Sport Sciences, Coventry University, UK
5 School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall, UK.

Mark Lyons
✉ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland
Email: mark.lyons@ul.ie
Publish Date
Received: 08-09-2012
Accepted: 13-12-2012
Published (online): 01-06-2013
 
 
ABSTRACT

Exploring the effects of fatigue on skilled performance in tennis presents a significant challenge to the researcher with respect to ecological validity. This study examined the effects of moderate and high-intensity fatigue on groundstroke accuracy in expert and non-expert tennis players. The research also explored whether the effects of fatigue are the same regardless of gender and player’s achievement motivation characteristics. 13 expert (7 male, 6 female) and 17 non-expert (13 male, 4 female) tennis players participated in the study. Groundstroke accuracy was assessed using the modified Loughborough Tennis Skills Test. Fatigue was induced using the Loughborough Intermittent Tennis Test with moderate (70%) and high-intensities (90%) set as a percentage of peak heart rate (attained during a tennis-specific maximal hitting sprint test). Ratings of perceived exertion were used as an adjunct to the monitoring of heart rate. Achievement goal indicators for each player were assessed using the 2 x 2 Achievement Goals Questionnaire for Sport in an effort to examine if this personality characteristic provides insight into how players perform under moderate and high-intensity fatigue conditions. A series of mixed ANOVA’s revealed significant fatigue effects on groundstroke accuracy regardless of expertise. The expert players however, maintained better groundstroke accuracy across all conditions compared to the novice players. Nevertheless, in both groups, performance following high-intensity fatigue deteriorated compared to performance at rest and performance while moderately fatigued. Groundstroke accuracy under moderate levels of fatigue was equivalent to that at rest. Fatigue effects were also similar regardless of gender. No fatigue by expertise, or fatigue by gender interactions were found. Fatigue effects were also equivalent regardless of player’s achievement goal indicators. Future research is required to explore the effects of fatigue on performance in tennis using ecologically valid designs that mimic more closely the demands of match play.

Key words: Fatigue, tennis, expertise, achievement motivation


           Key Points
  • Groundstroke accuracy under moderate-intensity fatigue is equivalent to performance at rest.
  • Groundstroke accuracy declines significantly in both expert (40.3% decline) and non-expert (49.6%) tennis players following high-intensity fatigue.
  • Expert players are more consistent, hit more accurate shots and fewer out shots across all fatigue intensities.
  • The effects of fatigue on groundstroke accuracy are the same regardless of gender and player’s achievement goal indicators.
 
 
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