EFFECTS OF ONE AND TWO HANDED TENNIS BACKHANDS HIT WITH VARIED POWER LEVELS ON TORSO ROTATION

Abstract

This study examined hitting one & two hand backhands with moderate and maximal power on the shoulder, hip, and trunk rotations during a tennis groundstroke by collegiate male and female tennis players. Video images from two views at 60 Hz were collected as players hit backhand strokes with a ball launched from a serving stand. Each subject hit 10 trials with moderate and maximal power using one & two hand backhands to a 2x2 m target area. Average ball velocities for stroke conditions were determined and 2 trials closest to the condition average velocity were analyzed with Ariel APAS. ANOVA on the shoulder rotations found significant hand and power factors, where maximal power and two hand backhands used more shoulder motion. The two hand backhand produced greater hip rotation and the female subjects used more trunk rotation with a two handed backhand.