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Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(4): 242-249
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-310
Physiology and Biochemistry
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Comparison of Laboratory and “On-Court” Endurance Testing in Tennis

G. Smekal, R. Pokan, S. P. von Duvillard, R. Baron, H. Tschan, N. Bachl
  • Department of Sport Physiology of the University of Vienna, Institute of Sports Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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Treadmill testing (TT) commonly used in endurance testing is often not sport-specific. Therefore a field test (FT) for tennis players was developed. The purpose was 1) to compare metabolic and cardiorespiratory response between TT and FT and 2) to assess tennis stroke ratings during FT. In both tests ventilatory variables (V˙O2, VE, VT, Bf, VE × V˙O2 -1), heart rate (HR), and lactate (LA) were measured. For both tests an “individual anaerobic threshold” (IAT) was calculated. The comparison of TT and FT yielded significant differences in cardiorespiratory and metabolic response. LA and VE were significantly higher in TT compared to FT at V˙O2 of 35, 40, and 45 ml × kg-1 × min-1. There were statistical differences between IAT resulting from both tests (TT vs. FT): HR (165 ± 16, 175 ± 11, p < 0.001), V˙O2 (44.4 ± 4.3, 47.8 ± 4.8, p < 0.05), LA (3.1 ± 0.5, 2.5 ± 0.4, p < 0.001), VE (97.0 ± 15.6, 89.1 ± 14.9, p < 0.05), VT (2.66 ± 0.34, 2.34 ± 0.47, p < 0.05), VE/V˙O2 (27.9 ± 3.9, 23.9 ± 2.9, p < 0.01). High correlation was found between stroke ratings and the national ranking of the players. We concluded that 1) metabolic, ventilatory, and cardiorespiratory demands of TT vs. FT were (semi)sport-specific and significantly different and 2) that the stroke rating in our study was a good predictor for tournament performance (r = 0.94). This type of stroke rating can be implemented in a FT.

Key words:

Tennis, field test, oxygen uptake, ventilation, lactate, training specificity, stroke rating.

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MD Gerhard Smekal

Institute for Sports Science Department of Sports Physiology University Vienna

Auf der Schmelz 6 1150 Vienna Austria

Phone: Phone:+ 43 (1) 427748870

Fax: Fax:+ 43 (1) 427748879

Email: E-mail:gerhard.smekal@univie.ac.at

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