Gender Differences in Kinematic Parameters of Topspin Forehand and Backhand in Table Tennis

Ziemowit Bańkosz, Sławomir Winiarski and Ivan Malagoli Lanzoni
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Ziemowit Bańkosz: Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, University School of Physical, Education in Wrocław, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland
Sławomir Winiarski: Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, University School of Physical, Education in Wrocław, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland
Ivan Malagoli Lanzoni: Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: Background: The identification of gender differences in kinematics and coordination of movement in different body segments in sports may improve the training process by emphasizing the necessity of its differentiation, and consequently individualization, developing, and improving the technique in women and men. Indicating differences can also help in determining the risk of injury in order to prevent from them by diversifying training programs. However, there is no information regarding this problem in the existing literature pertaining to table tennis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the differences in the values of selected angular and kinematic parameters during topspin forehand and topspin backhand shots between male and female table tennis players. Methods: Six male and six female advanced table tennis players performed topspin forehand and topspin backhand shots, both receiving a backspin ball. The angular parameters in four events (ready position, backswing, maximum acceleration, and forward) at chosen joints as well as the maximal acceleration of the playing hand were measured, using the myoMotion system, and were compared between male and female players. Results: Significant differences ( p ≤ 0.05) were found in the magnitude of angular parameters and maximum hand acceleration between men and women. The movement pattern of topspin strokes performed by men takes into account, more than that in the case of women, movements that use large muscle groups and large joints (hip joints, trunk joints, shoulder joints in extension, and flexion). The difference in the values of maximal acceleration reached almost 50 m/s 2 in topspin forehand ( p < 0.01) and 20 m/s 2 in backhand ( p < 0.01). Conclusions: Differentiation of movement patterns can be a manifestation of movement optimization due to anthropological differences and limitations. The differences in the values of maximal acceleration suggest that women could use both sides to perform a topspin attack against the backspin ball, while men should seek opportunities to make a stronger shot with a forehand topspin.

Keywords: gender differences; kinematics; table tennis; sports technique (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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