A COMPARISON OF BALL-AND-RACQUET IMPACT FORCE BETWEEN TWO TENNIS BACKHAND STROKE TECHNIQUES

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the peak contact force between one-handed backhand stroke with a long backward swing in preparation and one-handed backhand stroke with a short backward swing in preparation. Five advanced and five beginning tennis players participated in this study. Three-dimensional coordinates of critical body and racquet landmarks were obtained. A mathematical model was developed to estimate the contact duration and peak contact force in a stroke. The estimated peak contact forces were reproducible and comparable to those reported in the literature from direct measurements. A one-handed backhand stroke with a short backward swing in preparation had significant shorter contact duration and greater peak contact force than that with a long backward swing in preparation.