Effects of Joint-Fixing on the Velocity of the Racket Head in the Tennis Serve

Abstract

The velocity of the racket head in a tennis serve is one of the significant factors in a match. The fastest velocity of the racket head before impact may be performed by the appropriate sequence of segmental rotations. Anderson (1979) and Miyashita et al. (1980) reported that there was a close relationship between the muscular activities patterning in the overarm throw and the tennis serve. Elliott (1983) observed the movement pattern for the power serve in tennis using kinematic data. However, there were no reports concerning effects of joint fixing on the velocity of the racket head in a tennis serve. The purpose of this study was first to investigate the serving motion in tennis by means of a kinematic method. Second, it was to more clearly define the appropriate sequence of segmental rotations employed.