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

Francisco Pradas, Víctor Toro-Román, Ana de la Torre, Alejandro Moreno-Azze, Juan Francisco Gutiérrez-Betancur and Miguel Ángel Ortega-Zayas
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Francisco Pradas: ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain
Víctor Toro-Román: School of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Ana de la Torre: ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain
Alejandro Moreno-Azze: ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain
Juan Francisco Gutiérrez-Betancur: Institute of Physical Education and Sport, University of Antioquia, Ciudadela de Robledo, Medellín 050036, Colombia
Miguel Ángel Ortega-Zayas: ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: table tennis; physical fitness; racket sport; exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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