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CHATPTER I

INTRODUCTION

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1.1 HISTORY OF TENNIS

Original lawn tennis, game played on a rectangular court in, which two (singles)

or four (doubles) players use strung rackets to hit or ball back and forth over a net at the

centre of the court. The object is to hit the ball so that an opponent cannot reach or return

in correctly. Games of racket and ball originated from a twelfth and thirteenth- century

French hand ball game called jeu de paume (“game of the palm”). In 1873 Major walter

Wingfield invented a game called Sphairistike, from which modern outdoor tennis

evolved. The game caught on quickly in Great Britain and spread throughout the British

Empire.

The all-England Croquet Club at Wimbledon later added the term Lawn Tennis to

its title and in 1877, it sponsored the first world tennis championship professional tennis

in the United States began in 1927 with the formation of the U.S professional Lawn

Tennis Association. In 1968 the International Tennis Federation (Founded 1913), the

governing body of Tennis, sanctioned open tennis which allowed amateur players to

compete against professionals in the same tournament. The International team

tournaments and Davis Cup for men (begun 1900) and the Federation Cup (1963) For

women’s teams. The Wightman Cup (1923) between British and U.S. Women’s teams

was discontinued after 1989.

The International men’s professional circuit governed by ATP tour. Launched on

January 1, 1990. The ATP Tour is a partnership between player and tournaments the

replaced the former men’s Tennis Council as the governing body for the men’s

professional tennis circuit. The inception of the ATP Tour also marked the

discontinuance of the A.T.P, or the association of Tennis Professional.

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When launched in 1990, the ATP tour consisted of 76 tournaments in 28

countries. The tour has helped popularize professional men’s tennis all over the world.

The major tournaments for individual players constitute the grand slam of tennis and

consist of the national championship of Great Britain (Wimbledon), the United States,

Australia and France. Tennis an Olympic sport from 1896 to 1927, returned to the

Olympic in 1988. (Dale Hoiberg, 2000).

1.2 TENNIS IN INDIA

Tennis is one of the few individual sports where Indians have consistency done

their country proud. Stars like the father and son duo of Ramanthan and Ramesh

Krishnan, the Three Amritraj brothers Vijay, Anand and Ashok, and the famous double

duo of Leander paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have forced the world to look up and take

notice of India’s tennis prowess time and gain. India is first record of participation dates

back to as early as 1908 when Nihal Singh played at Wimbledon. Though Nihal singh

failed to achieve anything of consequence losing out in the first round, Wimbledon has

always held a special place for Indians and is regarded as one of the most followed

sporting events. India’s first major achievement at Wimbledon was the quarter-final entry

of Ghaus Mohammed Khan in 1939. Ghaus lost to Bobby Riggs who went on to win the

tournament. Since then three Indians have reached the quarter-finals but only one,

Ramanathan Krishnan, managed to make it to the semifinals in two consecutive years,

1960 and 1961, but lost on both occasions to eventual winner Neale Fraser and Rod

Laver, respectively.

As with most modern sports, tennis too was introduced in India by the British for

long the game was restricted to the civil services and the armed forces. But the game

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acquired organizational set-up as take as the mid 1940s and the first national were held in

Calcutta in 1946. Tennis since then has primarily been the tale of two cities-Chennai

(Madras) and Calcutta. If the southern Indian metropolis threw up players of the stature

of the Krishnan and the Amritraj brothers, Calcutta produced players like the Mukherjee

brothers Jaideep and Chiradeep, Naresh Kumar, Premjit Lall, and Leander Paes.

Tennis is the most venerated team event. The Davis Cup, has been the stage of

many an Indian heroics on the world stage. Indian has reached the final of the event on

three occasions; Stunning may form teams on the way. With two matches all Ramanathan

Krishnan, down 2-5 and 15-30 fought back to beat Thomas Koch and help India beat

Brazil 3-2 to seal India’s maiden entry in the final in 1966. Pitted against the famed

Australians, The Indians lost 1-4 but on their way to the final proved that even without

world’s leading Players, as a team they were a force to reckon with.

India reached the final of the Davis again eight years later when the Amritraj

brothers, in the company of Shashi menon and Jasjit Sing is beat the Australians in the

Semi finals in Calcutta. The ties is also known for the second longest match ever when

Vijay and Anand beat John Alexander and Colin Dibley in a greuelling five setter that

lasted 4 hours 45 minutes. India yet burst the Australian double in 1987, beating 3-2 at

Sydney in the semi-finals. The hero of India’s was Ramesh Krishnana who emulated his

father’s feet achieved in 1966. India, however, failed to keep the tempo and was blanked

0-5 by Sweden in the final. Ever since, India’s has not reached the final but has pulled of

many a stunning upset to leave a mark in the world of tennis.

India has had a secured record in Wimbledon right through, the high point of

which was in 1999 Leander paes and Mahesh Bhupathi won their second consecutive

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Grand slam men’s doubles title after the French open the record India’s best ever

performance in the event the earlier best doubles performance was recorded in 1976

when the Anan and Vijay Amritaraj team made it to the semi finals. There were as many

as seven Indians in the fray at the wimbledon in 1973- Vijay and Anand Amritaraj,

Jaideep and Chiradeep mukerjee, Jasjit singh, Premjit Lall, and Gaurav misra- but only

Vijay made and impact in the tournament. Regarded as one among the ABC of Tennis in

the 1970s along with Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors, Vijay to Jan kodes in the quarter

finals. Vijay Amritraj recorded his best ever performance in the U.S Open also in 1973

when he reached the quarter finals. His feat was emulated by Ramesh Krishnan who

twice made it to the last eight stage in 1981 and again in 1987 Ramesh, despite a weak

serve in the age of power tennis, remained in the top 100 for career high of 23 in 1985 the

touch art is he started his career on a very promising and winning junior titles at the

Wimbledon and the French open in 1979. Vijay was a versatile player and remained in

the top 50 for more than a decade from 1974 and achieved a career high of 16 in 1980.

In the late 1990s Indian’s tennis story revolved around Leander Paes and Mahesh

Bhupathi who between themselves, won as many as 15 ATP Tour titles, including three

Grand slam doubles titles the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S.A open all in 1999.

They ranked the world no 1 one pair lost the fourth Grand Slam in 1999 in the Australian

open final. Although the dueo did not achieve much while playing the men’s singles,

event on the ATP Tour, the Paes-Bhupathi team were one of the most successful doubles

pairs in tennis history. Prior to their split in may 2000, Paes is also one of the few

Indian’s to have won a medal in an individual sport in Olympic history, when he won the

bronze in the men’s singles at Atlanta, USA in 1996.Their success has triggered off a

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tennis revolution of sorts with sport spreading to the smaller towns of India. Academies

have spring up in many part of the country and children of today look forward to emulate

Paes and Bhupathi some of the past players like the Krishnans and the Amritarajs have

taken the lead in shaping the future and both have academies in Chennai, there are several

events held in the country. India also has south Asia’s only ATP tour event, the Gold

Flake open at Chennai which enters its fifth year in 2000. Legends like Boris Becker and

Star like Kafelinikov and Carlos Moya have enthralled tennis fans there. (Dale Hoiberg,

2000).

1.3 SPORT TRAINING

1.3.1 Training Method

For most sports, training probably has a greater effect on performance than

nutrition, equipments, psychological stale or any other modifiable factor.

Training is a complex behavior, mainly because it is performed in a time frame

that range from seconds to years. Sports people use numerous terms to describe the

characteristic so this temporal dimension of training. Single human movements, which

occur in a second or two are combined and repeated to make a training bout or workout, a

period of more-or-less uninterrupted physical activity. Workouts many occupy a few

minutes or hours and may be continuous exercises, a set of reps or repeated movements,

or a set of sat. A complete training session usually lasts an hour or two and consists of

one or more workouts. ( Satpathy, 2005).

There are many different training methods. They are all based on the different

ways the body adapts to regular exercise and include continous training, fartlek training,

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interval training, circuit training weight training, plyometric training, and flexibility

training. (Andy Sibson, 2011).

1.4 COMBINATION OF TRAINING

Combined training is an association of two or more trainings united for the

furtherance of performance. Combined training also aims to expose the unexposed area

of an isolated training. Further, it acts as to counterbalance or compensate a training

programme to become a wholesome training regime.

1.5 SWISS BALL

Swiss ball develops abdominal muscles, stabilizes lower back as well as

improving posture. There are many different names for the swiss ball namely ,exercise

ball, gym ball, fitness ball, stability ball, gymnastic ball, yoga ball, body ball, physio ball

.The reason it is called a swiss ball is that it originated from Switzerland inthe1960s and

therapist used it for physical rehabilitation .

The swiss or stability ball was originally introduced as the “gymnastic” ball by

Dr. Susanne Klien-Vogelbach, a doctor in Switzerland Dr. Klien-Vogalbach created the

ball in the 1960s for use in physical therapy to treat orthopedic and neurological disorder.

Doctors had children with cerebral palsy and inefficient motor skill development use the

ball to help neuromuscular stimulation. When someone with poor motor skills uses the

ball, their brain pathways are “re-patterned” and they are to improve the way their body

moves.

The first balls were manufactured by an Italian toy manufacturer named Aquulino

Cosani, whose company Gymnastic remains the leader in ball making. The Gymnastic

ball became leader in ball making. The Gymnastic ball became highly acclaimed for

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helping to develop motor sensory skills in premature babies and children with traumatic

motor skill retardation. Observes noted that the colorful balls, with their circular shape

and dynamic surface were inviting to the senses while, at the same time, the exercises

being done with them produces very positive outcomes.

Even though ball work was first developed as a form of physical therapy and not

as a form of exercise for healthy people, the ball is a natural in the gym: It blends the

therapeutic values of stability a balancing skills with conventional exercises while also

teaching the importance of using core muscles activity. (Elizabeth Gillies, 2004)

1.6 BENEFITS OF SWISS BALL

The swiss ball is one of the most versatile pieces of exercise equipment. It can be

added to many exercises to make them more challenging by, requiring more stability, the

benefits of the swiss ball are

Recruits all of the muscles, integrating strength, flexibility and

coordination in one activity

Provides a great core workout

Provides stimulation to the brain and nervous system.

Improves balance and coordination.

Improves posture

The swiss ball provides a slightly unbalanced plat from to work on, so the body is

constantly challenged to find balance and equilibrium every time it is used in an exercise.

This means the stabilizer muscles are instantly contracting at very deep level.

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A general rule is, as the practioner sit on the ball; legs should form a 90ºangle at

the knee. Thighs should be parallel to the ground and ankles under the knees. Another

guideline for selection of swiss ball is given below

TABLE – I SHOWING THE GUIDELINES FOR SWISS BALL SELECTIONS

Height Swiss ball diameter

Under 5’

tall

45 cm (18”)

5-5.7” 55 cm (21.5”)

5.8-6.3” 65 cm (25”)

Over6.3” 75 cm (29.5)

(Darcy Dill, 2006).

1.7 SWISS BALL TRAINING

Swiss ball were used primarily by individuals with low back problems in

physical therapy clinics. However swiss ball and now more commonly used in orthopedic

rehabilitation programs, with the physically active in fitness centers, in physical

education classes, and with special needs populations and the elderly much fitness and

the use of swiss ball has expended in to sport conditioning program. The primary

motivation for the use of swiss balls in these application is the belief that not unstable

surface will provide a greater dynamic balance and possibly help to stabilize the spine in

order to prevent injuries, additionally, while primary emphasis with swiss balls has been

and continues to be trunk training, it is now common to see swiss balls used in

conjunction with strength training for multiple muscle groups, not just the trunk.

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Researcher studies show that stability training increases abdominal muscle

activities activating more motor units of the stabilizing muscles than traditional exercises

and thus improving overall balance and core stability. In addition swiss ball stimulate

parts of the cerebellum, vestibular systems and brainstem, which are responsible for

posture balance and body control. Initial scientific support for swiss ball training come

from observation of greater activation of the rectus abdominal curl-ups on the swiss ball

compared with a stable surface. Training the core has become an area of emphasis in

athletic strength and condition health and fitness contends, and rehabilitation facilities

prevailing beliefs hold that training the core is important for improving, performance and

reducing the risk of injuries and that core strengthening is vital improving athletic

performance. Use of swiss balls is most-commonly associates with core training. Swiss

ball provides a wider range of movements. (Jared w. Coburn, Moh h. Malek 2004).

1.8 BENEFITS OF SWISSBALL IN TENNIS

Swiss balls training improve a tennis player’s on-court performance. Well

potentially, it can provide for an improvement in joint stability, a reduction in the

muscular imbalances that may lead to injury and strength gains that may be more specific

to the demands of the game. (Chek, 1998).

Swiss ball training can be used to complement or improve an existing strength

and conditioning program. Similarly it can provide a relatively inexpensive, convenient

and useful training alternative while traveling with players on the road. Swiss ball

training, provide specific examples of swiss ball exercises to improve the trunk strength

and stability of the tennis players .(Machar Reid, 2000).

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From a mechanical perspective, exercises that promote an increase in stabiliser

strength and improvements in body alignment will assist a player produce movement

patterns that are more efficient and powerful. Similarly, improved stability through the

trunk (deep abdominal and lumbar musculature) will help optimize a player’s summation

and transfer of linear, but more specifically, angular momentum during the production of

his/her tennis strokes. Also, given that low back pain is becoming an increasingly

common diagnosis in tennis players, the importance of trunk/pelvic stabilization

exercises in the prevention of this pain should not be understated.( Hodges, 1996).

Swiss balls are commonly used in both athletic therapy and conditioning settings

(Artonietz,1998).

1.9 MEDICINE BALL

Medicine ball is also known as an exercise ball, a med ball, or a fitness ball. It is a

weighted ball roughly the diameter of the shoulders (approx. 13.7 inches). Often used for

rehabilitation and strength training, it serves an important role in the field of sports

medicine. It should not be confused with the larger, inflated exercise ball.

Medicine ball training is one of the oldest forms of strength and conditioning

training. The first reference to wrestlers training with sand filled bladders appears in

Persia nearly 3000 years ago. In ancient Greece the physician Hippocrates had them sewn

out of animal skins and stuffed with sand. His patients threw them back and forth for

injury prevention and rehabilitation.

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the words "health" and "medicine"

were synonymous. The so-called "Four Horsemen of Fitness" were the dumbbell

the Indian club, the wand and the medicine ball. This is where the beginnings of the

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modern medicine ball originate. A 1914 audio exists of jack Johnson delivering a simple

exercise routine using a medicine ball. (Matt Lawrence, 2003).

1.10 BENEFITS OF MEDICINE BALL

Benefits of medicine ball training, college and professional strength coachers

have been using medicine ball to train athletes for decades, because these balls after so

many benefits. Medicine balls

Can be used to mimic sports movements

Can be used to effectively train the aerobic an aerobic energy system.

Are completely portable.

Are relatively in expensive.

Add variety and Fun to workouts.

Two of the primary advantages of using medicine balls for training are power and

versatility. (Author’s Guide, 2000).

1.11 MEDICINE BALL TRAINING

A medicine ball is a weighted ball, weighing between 1 and 10 kg. Medicine ball

can vary size which is made of brown leather, these days they are graded in different

colors according to size and one made out soft plastic. The main principle with medicine

ball training is that in order to throw catch it, one has to tense many abdominal muscles

this creates a solid or stable base to work from. In much the same way as the foundations

are laid when building a house, the stronger the foundations the greater the forces that can

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be applied. Another advantage is that unlike weights, which the practioner invariably

have to lift upwards against gravity, medicine balls can be thrown across gravity or in any

direction relative to the sporting activity or muscle group that are under training. It can

work against to the inertia of the ball when throwing and the momentum of the ball when

catching. That’s why those athletes and sport people that require upper body power use

medicine ball in their workout.

Different sport specific movements incorporate relative proprioceptive

stabilization techniques in order to maintain balance power depends on a strong base. In

fact much of the appropriate training in sports and martial arts comes from indirect

training. Medicine ball exercises are an excellent way of training the core muscle to help

achieve power. They can also be used to train for specific sports, the movements of a

sporting action can be replicated and appropriate resistance applied in a controlled

manner to train the muscles effectively. Medicine ball training is great fun and can make

bring exercised dynamic and interesting while still having the desired conditioning effect.

Compare these, performing 20-30 oblique twists on the floor on your own or throwing at

4 or 5 kg medicine ball with all your force at a moving target (your partner) for them to

catch and throw back. Not only is the later a more interesting option, but training the

muscles in this way is much closer to the sporting movement required. (Matt Lawrence,

2003).

The medicine ball training can be used for a number different outcome. The

medicine ball is an excellent tool for rotator cuff declaration training, upper body power,

total body power and rotational power in the torso. Many of medicine ball drills can be

viewed as multipurpose. The medicine ball is the key tool in developing a powerful and

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functional torso. Medicine ball training can be viewed an Olympic lifting or plyometric

for the torso. None of the torso exercise address velocity, only specific functions such as

stabilization or rotation medicine-ball training converts all the strength and stability

developed in conventional abdominal training to power.

The proper medicine ball progressions develop explosive power in both flexion

and rotation safely and effectively credit for many of these ideas should go to mark.

One of the keys to medicine ball training is proper ball selection. Most strength

athletes believe that heavier is better with the medicine ball, this is certainly not the case.

The key to medicine ball training is velocity. Any time an athlete struggles to throw the

medicine ball, the ball is too heavy guidelines for medicine ball weights are based on

experience with thousands of athletes. For beginners a lighter ball works better.

TABLE –I I SHOWING THE GUIDELINES FOR MEDICINE BALL

SELECTIONS

Medicine ball training is for superior when done against a wall. A partner is a

poor substitute and negates the plyometric eccentric to concentric switching effect of

working off a wall. Masonry wall space is highly desirable in a medicine ball program. A

good set of throws should look like a good series of shots or swings and should be fluid,

Athlete’s Weight Ball weight (rotation) Ball weight overhead

100-135 lb 1kg 1kg

135-175 lb 2kg 2kg

175-200 lb 3kg 2kg

200-250 lb 4kg 4kg

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with smooth switching from eccentric to concentric action. Athletes should stand

approximately a body length away from the wall and throw as if they want to damage the

wall and the ball. They should throw the ball so that the rebound returns the ball to their

hands. Athletes can move closer to or further from the wall, depending on their power

output. (Michael Boyle, 2004).

1.12 BENEFITS OF MEDICINE BALL IN TENNIS

1.12.1 Medicine Ball

The medicine ball to a bound or squat jump can quickly increase exercise

intensity. We use the balls to develop upper and lower body strength, and athletes enjoy

the challenge and fun of working with them. Furthermore, many different throw can be

used to develop upper body strength, just remember that it’s important to develop a base

of strength before integrating power exercises. Side arm and overhead medicine ball

throw’s are players to propel the ball forward as far as possible. Stepping forward is not

permitted, but trunk movement is upper body power is essential in tennis, and working

with a medicine ball is one way to enhance it. (Author’s Guide, 2000).

Medicine Ball Mini Tennis a favorite of tennis drills of legend Pete Sampras, this

drill is a variation of the popular mini tennis game. Stand on the service line and partner

does the same on the other side. Instead of rallying with a tennis ball, throw a medicine

ball back and forth. Keeping the ball inside the four service boxes, catch it in the air or let

it bounce. Be sure with each throw to rotate the shoulder and hip to simulate forehands

and back hands. (Greg Moran with Kelley Moran, 2009).

Volleys typically require a pushing or pressing motion similar to the Bench-press,

medicine ball chest throw and other related exercises. Pressing movements such as the

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bench press help develop both on centric and eccentric strength. The volley is a shot

punch like swing that relies on the chest muscles, especially the pectoralis major and

serratus anterior. The bench press is a slower, controlled version of the volley action and

will help improve performance of this stroke and prevent injuries. Main faring good

pressing strength is important to protect other upper body muscles during all tennis

strokes. Pressing strength is especially necessary when you have to hit a stroke while out

of position or hit a very high ball. In these strokes, the lower body sometimes cannot

generate as much force as desired, requiring the upper body to contribute more than

usual. (Paul Roetert, Mark S. Kovacs, 2011).

1.13 PHYSICAL FITNESS

Physical fitness is the ability for the body to carry out everyday activities with

little fatigue and with enough energy left for emergencies. Fitness is blend of a number

of physical qualities. All need these qualities to a greater or lesser extent. There is a

minimal level of fitness, which we all need to have good health. (Andy Sibson, 2011).

Physical fitness a commonly used form that has historically meant different things

to different people. Much of the research on the benefits of exercises has focused on the

role of physical activity, in enhancing health status, as opposed to physical fitness.

Physical activity can be defined as any bodily movements that come about from the

contraction of skeletal muscle and that increase energy expenditure. Many everyday

activities are included under the umbrella of physical activity, including gardening,

raking leaves, and performing household chores. Exercises are considered to be a more

structured form of physical activity that has a specific purpose in mind. In many cases

that exercises is designed to improve specific aspects of physical fitness, which can be

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defined as a set-of attributes that allow individuals to perform many types of physical

activity with greater ease. A high level of physical fitness enables people perform their

required daily tasks without fatigue, thus enabling them to participate in additional

pleasurable activities for personal enjoyment. Increased physical fitness is often reflected

by physiological adaptations, such as a lowered heart rate during a standardized exercise

or an improving ability to mobilize and use body fuels. A high level of physical fitness

implies optimal physical performance and good health. (Cedric, 2008).

Physical fitness is used in two close meaning-general fitness (as take of health and

well being) and specific fitness.

1.13.1 General Fitness

Physical fitness is the result of regular exercise, proper diet and nutrition, and

proper rest for physical recovery within the parameters allowed by the genome.

Physical fitness is often divided into the following types (in alphabetical order)

Agility Balance, Body Composition, Cardiovascular Endurance, Coordination

Flexibility and Joint range of motion, Muscular Strength & Endurance and Speed.

Many sources also cite mental and emotional health as an important part of

overall fitness. This is often presented in text books as a training made up of their sub-

sections which is resent physical emotional, and mental fitness. Hence one may be

physically fit but may still butter from mental illness or have emotional problems. The

ideal triangle is balanced in all areas. Physical fitness can also prevent or treat many

Chronic health condition brought on by unhealthy lifestyle or aging.

1.13.2 Specific Fitness

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Specific or task oriented fitness is person’s ability to perform in a specific activity

with a reasonable efficiency for example, sport or military service specific training.

Prepares athletes to perform well in their sports. Fire fighters and police officer must

undergo regular fitness testing to determine it they are capable of the physically

demanding tasks required for the job before they we employed students in elementary

and high school also undergo regular fitness testing. In some countries, students can earn

fitness badges, such as the physical fitness badge which is earned in the United States.

(Narasimham, 2009).

1.14 PHYSICAL FITNESS IN TENNIS

Tennis is sport characterized by variety demands on the human body all

depending on the level of play. Tennis requires coordination, agility, speed, quickness,

cardio respiratory endurance, local muscle endurance, strength and power. Each aspect

becomes more important at higher levels of play. The somatic characteristics of body

size, structure and composition are substantial determinations of athletic success the

training process of a tennis player should develop each fitness component and metabolic

pathway, especially the aerobic lactic and a lactic system. Furthermore the training load

may be modified by age and game style. Player’s game style and physical characteristics

will have an impact on the type of conditioning program according to their game style

and physical characteristics recommended by the International Tennis Federation. (Leas,

Cabello and Torres, 2009).

Tennis requires players to move quickly in all directions, change direction often,

and stop and start abruptly, all while maintaining the balance and control needed to hit

the ball effectively. Properly designed training exercises, including strength and

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flexibility exercises, and critical for injury prevention. The sprinting, stopping, starting,

and bending require by tennis play repeatedly subjects the bones, ligaments, and muscles

to high load, and they must be able to absorb these forces. The key of hitting a tennis

stroke successfully over and over is to use proper mechanics and remain balanced while

doing so proper mechanics can be learned by taking lessons from a teaching professional

and growing a specific swing pattern equally important is the ability to get the ball. It is

important to understand game style, to design a proper training program. A player who

around the court and retrieves balls the entire match will needed a lot of muscular.

Endurance, where as someone which frequently services and volleys, will have to

focus on developing muscular power. At the same time, both game styles require

excellent flexibility. Although there are many ways to classify game styles. Typically

break them into four major categories; counter punches, aggressive baseliners, all court

players, and serve and volleyers. As described in the USTA book tennis tactics (Human

kinetics,1996) counter punchers usually have excellent movement skills, demonstrate

quickness, and steady ground stroke, accurate passing shots ,and well controlled lobs.

Therefore superb conditioning, particularly aerobic fitness and muscular endurance, is a

must for a player adopting a counter punching game style. An aggressive baseliner needs

quickness, muscular strength, endurance, and power to engage in long baseline rallies

while being able to hit winner with power. Good footwork and steady balance are also

key characteristics of this style of play. All court players are typically athletic, quick and

have excellent movement’s skills enhanced by endurance and a high level of muscular

fitness to be able to cover the entire court. serve and volleyers are often most comfortable

able at the net, where they need to possess a good reach agility, a powerful over head and

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a soft style, will require flexibility, strength, power, endurance, and balance knowing

game style will help to individualize a training program based the particular style. The

way tennis is played has changed significantly over the past 30 years. Specifically few

changes in tennis technique as players have traded closed stances and astern for open

stances and western gripe. Racket technologies has also, at least partially been

responsible for players at the top level hitting to ball harder and from more open stances.

Serves are being hit at 130 mils 209 kilometers per hour (sometimes even harder) and

both forehands and back hand used are as major weapons from almost anywhere on

court. To be able to handle these modern strokes players need a solid base of muscular

strength, flexibility, endurance and power. To enhance performance and promote injury

free play, proper techniques are a must for both effective and efficient play. (Pual

Roetert, 2007).

1.15 SPEED

Speed is the ability to make rapid movements of the same time in the shortest

possible time. Speed is an important ingredient in many sports. Speed in sports contest

can have several different meaning, one being instantaneous speed used for jump, throw

or 100 meter run. Speed will mean maximal speed and thus apply to sports events where

the highest possible speed its strives for a single short lasting effort are in a repeated

maximal efforts together lasting less than about ten seconds.

The terms “speed” is applied to a variety of different phenomena that occur in

sports; fast reaction, a bust of rapid movement’s ability to run continuously at high speed,

reaction time is a property of nervous system and depends upon the speed at which

information is processed. A burst of rapid movements involves the translation of reaction

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in to motion. If requires acceleration of the body, or part of it, and the continuation of

movement at high speed.

In mechanical terms, speed is the distance covered in a given time

Speed= Distance / Time

Speed is conditional ability, if has complex nature as it depends to a considerable

extend on the nervous system. Speed ability should not be equaled with mechanical speed

which is equal to the distance covered per unit of time. In several sports action no

distance is covered at all. Speed ability primarily signifies the ability to execute motor

movements with high speed; these movements should be cyclic in nature (Hardayal

singh, 1991).

1.15.1 SPEED IN TENNIS

Although speed is deemed important in tennis, players rarely attain top running

speed during match play. In approximately 80 percent of points, the player does not move

over than 30feet (9 meters) from the position where he or she started. Yet within those 30

feet (9 meters) a player can only attain 75 percent of his or her peak running speed. (Pual

Roetert. Todd S. Ellenbecker, 2007).

Speed is important for getting to the ball. Although some people have natural

speed, other athletes can improve speed by training their muscles and nervous systems to

produce the same effect. The faster you can get to a ball, the more time you have to

prepare for your shot. Speed the ability to get from point A to point B rapidly, is also

important in tennis. Being fast allows a player to get to more balls and set up with more

time to prepare. To some degree speed is genetically determined; players with faster

twitch muscle fibers will generally be able to generate more force and will be faster.

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However all players can improve speed by performing exercises and drills designed to

build, the more time you will have to set up for the next shot. (E.Pual Roetert, 2007).

1.16 AGILITY

“Agility, quite simply is the ability to change direction efficiently”. (Pual

Roetert, 2007).

Agility refers to the controlled ability change position and direction rapidly and

accurately. Two Condition exist under which the ability of the performer should be

influenced diversely a reaction of a known type and in a known direction, to a stimulus

that is anticipated and a reaction of an undermined type and in an unknown direction to

a set of stimuli that may, vary widely and hence, somewhat unpredictable. Agility is the

physical ability which enables in individual to rapidly change body position and direction

in a precise manner. Agility plays a significant role in the training of technique and in

competition. The aim in training skills is to bring the athlete closer to the ideal form of

the sequence of movement. (Gupta, 2003).

1.16.1 AGILITY IN TENNIS

Agility and speed describe the ability to move around the court quickly and

smoothly to position for a shot, agility is crucial to good court movement. It allows you to

be in the correct position and provides a solid platform from which to hit the ball.

In a typical match, players need to make more than four directional changes per

point, making agility a critical component for being able to move efficiently and get into

position to hit the ball. Agility not only required the muscular strength and power to

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decelerate and then accelerate in a different direction, but it also depends on flexibility

and balance.

Great movers typically have great agility and a diverse athletic back ground that

allows them to develop kinesthetic awareness of how the body can move in balance. A

typical 5 second point in tennis requires more than four changes indirection, making

agility, or the ability or the ability to change direction quickly and effectively, a critical

component of the game. Being able to start and stop quickly provides more time to get

into position and set up for the next ball. Agility also relates to movements efficiency and

therefore allows a player to save energy throughout a match. (Pual Roetert, 2007).

Agility is developed as separate, skill, after the development of the strength,

balance flexibility, and power. Then start learning how to position your feet, hips and

shoulders to reach before and often hitting the shot, how to hit the ball with control and

balance, and how to make sure you are ready to hit the next shot. The best way to learn

agility is to get into position to hit a ball without hitting a ball. (Scott Williams, 2000).

1.17 FLEXIBILITY

Flexibility is the ability to execute a wide range of movements in the joints while

for repetition of work done in natural speed. Flexibility is most important less time,

energy to perform a task. Elasticity in muscle reduces tension and provided maximum

length. Thus yielding passive physical stretch. (Singh, 1991)

The ability to move joints and use muscles through their full range of motion. The

sit and reach test is good measure of flexibility of the lower back and backs of the upper

leg. (Narasimham, 2009)

1.17.1 FLEXIBILITY IN TENNIS

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Tennis requires a player to hit the ball from some pretty amazing positions. The

split on court, flexibility is just as much a part of your game. Positions of the tennis

players in on the court, extending the body to reach a wide ball, reaching to retrieve a

lob, lunging forward to cover a drops hot, all these positions require flexibility to

perform. Muscles must be strong through a full range of motion any restrictions in

flexibility will limit movement efficiency and may also restrict how much force muscle

can generate having good flexibility Tennis is played on a variety of surfaces and the

opponents is trying to move players all around the court, forcing to make off balance,

shots from all positions having good flexibility will help get to balls more quickly and

efficiently while setting up to hit with both balance and control. One called on to generate

great force from a variety to body positions, changing directions reaching for a shot,

stopping quickly and serving are just a few examples strength throughout a flexible

unrestricted range of motion will help prevent injury and enhance performance. (Pual

Roetert, 2007).

Flexibility is important to prevent injury and some shot required you to be flexible

in order to make them over the net. Players that do not get down will for low volleys tend

to be shift through the hips. Edberge always had his back straight and played on the balls

of his feet. If you are bending from the waist because you are sight in the hips you will

never have a good volley. Improve your flexibility with yoga exercises and swiss ball.

(Scott Williams, 2000).

1.18 CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE

Cardio vascular endurance is certainly a key component of health related fitness,

cardio respiratory refers to the cardiac (heart) and respiratory (lungs) systems. The heart

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and lungs provide oxygenated blood to our bodies. Aerobic activities that improve and

maintain cardio respiratory endurance such a jogging, walking, cycling, cross country

skiing, aerobic dancing, and swimming can be essential part of physical active lifestyle.

(Allen W.Jackson, 2004).

The ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and to remove wastes, over

sustained periods of time. Long runs and swims and among the method employed in

measuring this component. (Narasimham, 2009).

Cardiovascular responses, which culminate into fitness, often referred to as

cardiovascular fitness is generally considered to be the mostly important aspect of

physical fitness. Therefore regular cardiovascular exercises promotes fitness and provides

additional health and wellness benefits that extend well beyond reducing risks for

disease. (Corbin, welk, corbin & Welk 2004)

1.18.1 CARDIOVASCULAR EDURANCE IN TENNIS

Competitive tennis player also need a mixture of fitness qualities such and speed,

agility and power combined with a well-develop aerobic fitness in order to achieve high

levels of performance (Kovacs, 2007).

Physical exertion in tennis involves in termittent, high intensity efforts

interspersed with periods of low intensity activity, during which active recovery (between

points) and passive periods (between changes over breaks in play) take place. (Isanz-

Rivas and Mendez-Villanueva, 2009).

1.19 MUSCULAR ENDURANCE

Muscular endurance is the ability to work for muscle vary had for a period of

time. (Johntaylor, 2011).

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The ability of muscle of a muscle of produce force repeatedly over a period of

time. It is measured by the number of reputations of the movement or skill. If you can do

only one or two push-ups then, for you. It’s a strength movement. If you can do 35 push-

ups, there for you. It’s a muscular endurance exercise. An athlete can continue to produce

muscular force for only a limited period of time before the energy stores in muscle are

depleted. In movements that apply maximum force (strength), such as lifting a heavy

weight the energy stores are quickly depleted. If less than maximum force is required,

and the athlete must ration strength (as in a wrestling match or sprint), energy stores are

depleted more gradually and the movement can confine for a longer period (muscular

endurance). (Bill Pearl, 2001).

Is the ability of a muscle or muscle groups to apply force repeatedly over a period

of time, for example, the number of push-ups a pension can do in a minute or the number

of pitches a person can throw before fatigue sets in is a reflection of that person’s muscle

endurance. (Jim Clover, 2007).

One of the best ways to prevent injuries is to develop muscular endurance. Players

need to be able to use the same muscle over and over, ideally being able to hit the ball

with the same amount of force. At the end of the match as at the start of the match can

last more than 4 hours it is easy to see how important muscular endurance is in tennis.

(Pual Roetert, 2007).

1.19.1 MUSCULAR ENDURANCE IN TENNIS

Muscular endurance is the number of times muscles can lift a weight or the length

of time muscles can hold an amount of weight. Not only is it important for tennis player

to test their muscular strength but they also should test their muscular endurance because

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of the length of many tennis matches and the long hours of training and practice required

to achieve elite levels of performance. After playing a long match that made became

muscles sore the next day. That’s because tennis require not only good strokes but also

strength and muscular endurance. Throughout a match, the player has to hit hundreds of

ball while running from side to side. Good muscular endurance, which means that the

players can apply for and sustain it over time, can help to hit the ball just as hand at the

end of a match as at the beginning, Not only that it, can also help prevent injuries. (Pual

Roetert, 2007)

1.20 EXPLOSIVE POWER

Speed-strength abilities refer to the proficiency of a muscle to reach a maximum

level of strength over a short period of time. (Castaldi, 1993).

1.20.1 EXPLOSIVE POWER IN TENNIS

The modern game of tennis is characterized by 200-600 explosive efforts over a

match that may last up to six hour. (Richers, 1995).

Utilizing specific movement’s patterns which differ depending on the tactical

situation and court surface. It is clear that the player must be conditioned to meet the

specific aerobic, strength and explosive power demands of these matches in order to

maintain the required work rate over such an extended period (Davey, 2003).

Explosive moves sometimes against resistance, develop fast twitch muscle fiber

also known as reflex strength as well as increased over all strength. The quick change in

exercises in plyometric routines enhances players ability to find their center of gravity

players become more conscious of bending their knees, ultimately improving their

balance, they develop increased power through a variety of muscles working together at

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one time in an explosive move. The result is that players get into position earlier and are

able to hit the ball more efficiently, with more force and less effort the movement bases,

game and drills. (Joe Dinotter, 2003).

1.21 SKILLS IN TENNIS

1.21.1 Forehand drive

For a right handed player, the forehand is a stroke that begins on the right side of

his body, continues across his body as contact is made with the ball, and ends on the left

side of his body. There are various grips for executing the forehand and their popularity

has fluctuated over the years. The most important ones are the continental, the eastern,

“Semi Western” and the western for a number of years the small, apparently trail 1920s

player Bill Johnson was considered by many to have had to test forehand of all time a

stroke that hit shoulder high using a western grip.

Few top players used the western grip after the 1920 but in the later part of the

20th century as shot making techniques and equipment changed radically, the western

forehand made a strong comeback and is now used by many modern players.

1.21.2 Back Hand drive

For right handed players, the backhand is a stroke that begins on the left side of

their body, continues across their body as contact is made with the ball, and ends on the

right side of their body. It can be executed with either one hand or with both and is

generally considered more difficult to master than the forehand. For most of the 20th

century was performed with one hand using either and eastern or a continental grip.

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The first notable players to use two hands were the 1930s Australians Vivian

McGrath and John Bromwich, but they were lonely exception. The two handed grip

guided popularity in to 1970s as Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert, Jimmy Connors and father

Mats Wilander used it to great effect and it is now used by a large number of the world’s

best players, including Andre Agassi and Venus Williams. (Subhash K. Goyal, 2008)

1.21.3 The Serve

The serve is the stroke that puts the ball in play and is often referred to as the most

important stroke in the game of tennis. It has become a principal weapon of attack and is

used to place the opponent on the defensive by forcing a return from the side or by

moving the receiver out of position. A strong server may bolster an otherwise weak game

and tends to build the server’s confidence. (Joan d. Johnson, 2003).

1.22 REASONS FOR SELECTION OF TOPIC AND VARIABLES

While a number of researcher done on swiss ball training and medicine ball

training beneficial for development physical fitness and performance. There are

researcher such as Gopal Chandra Saha and Shantanu Halder, (2011), Manigandan, M.L,

(2011), Lokesh Prabhu, M.(2011) reported that swiss ball and medicine ball training

fruitful in improving physical fitness and playing ability. Only few studies were available

on swiss ball medicine ball and its combination for tennis players and firm conclusions

on the effect of isolated, combined training on tennis players cannot be drawn based on

the available evidence.

Hence the investigator, being tennis players undertook this research to find out the

isolated and combined effect of swiss ball and medicine ball training on physical and

performance variables and playing ability in tennis players

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1.23 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. The study may help to find out isolated and combined effect of swiss ball and

medicine ball training on the physical fitness variables like speed, muscular

endurance, agility, explosive power, cardiovascular endurance and flexibility

in tennis players.

2. The study may help to find out isolated and combined effect of swiss ball and

medicine ball training on the performance variables like fore hand, back hand

drive, service placement and speed of service in tennis players.

3. The study may help to find out isolated and combined effect of swiss ball and

medicine ball training on the Playing Ability in tennis players.

1.24 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The present study has attempted to find out isolated and combined effect of

swiss ball and medicine ball training on physical fitness and performance variables in

tennis players.

1.25 HYPOTHESIS

1. It was hypothesized that the combined swiss ball and medicine ball training

would have significantly greater influence on the selected physical fitness

variables, namely, speed, agility, muscular endurance, flexibility, explosive

power, cardiovascular endurance than the isolated swiss ball and medicine

ball training in tennis players.

2. It was hypothesized that the combined swiss ball and medicine ball

training would have significantly greater influence on the selected tennis

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performance variables, namely, fore hand drive, back hand drive, speed of

service, service placement and playing ability than the isolated swissball and

medicine ball trainings in tennis players.

1.26 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM

1. This study may be useful to the physical educationists, coaches and the players to

use as an initial device for developing physical fitness, game skill level and

playing ability.

2. This study may help for physical educationists and coaches to draw up suitable

training schedules to improve specific fitness, game skill and playing ability of

the tennis players.

3. This study may add more knowledge about the medicine ball and swissball

training in the game of tennis.

1.27 DELIMITATIONS

The present study is delimited into the following aspects.

1. The samples of the players for the present study will be delimited to the

players participated in the inter-school tournaments at state level only.

2. Only sixty tennis players from Chennai city were selected for this study.

3. The samples for the present study will be delimited to the boys only.

4. The standardized tests will be used to collect related data on the selected

dependent variables.

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5. The dependent variables selected for this study were,

a) Physical fitness variables.

i. Speed.

ii. Muscular endurance.

iii. Agility.

iv. Explosive power.

v. Flexibility.

vi. Cardiovascular endurance.

b) Performance variables

i. Forehand drive.

ii. Back hand drive.

iii. Service accuracy.

iv. Speed of service.

c) Tennis playing ability.

6. The selected independent variables for this study were,

i. Isolated swiss ball training (IST).

ii. Isolated medicine ball training (IMT).

iii. Combined swiss and medicine ball training (CSMT).

1.28 LIMITATIONS

The limitations of the present study are as follows.

1. Physical, Psychological factors, food habits, rest period, life style etcetera

could not be controlled.

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2. Though the subjects were motivated verbally no attempt was made to

differentiate the motivation level during the period of testing.

3. The subject’s previous experience in the game of tennis were not considered.

1.29 DEFINITION OF THE TERMS

1.29.1 PHYSICAL FITNESS

The ability to perform daily tasks vigorously and alertly with energy left over for

enjoying leisure time activities and meeting emergency demands. It is the ability to

endure, to hear up, to withstand stress, to carry on in circumstances where an unfit person

could not continue, and is major basis for good health and well being. (Bucher, 2001).

1.29.2 SPEED

Speed may be defined as the capacity of an individual to perform successive

movements of the same patterns at the fastest rate. (Kevin Norton and Tim Olds, 2006).

1.29.3 AGILITY

Agility is the ability to change the direction of the body at speed. (Paul Beashel,

2011).

1.29.4 MUSCULAR ENDURANCE

Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle, or a group of muscles, to keep

working against a resistance. (Kirk Bizley, 2002).

1.29.5 FLEXIBILITY

The ability of a muscle to perform movements with large amplitude (range of

motion). Refers to the functional capacity of a joint to move through a normal range of

34

motion. Specific to a given joint and is actually more dependent upon the muscular

surrounding a joint than on the actual body structure of the joint itself. (Uppal, 2004).

1.29.6 CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE

Cardiovascular endurance is defined as the ability of the circulatory and

respiratory systems to supply oxygen and fuel to the body during sustained physical

activity. (Jerome E. Kotecki, 2011).

1.29.7 EXPLOSIVE POWER

Speed-strength abilities refer to the proficiency of a muscle to reach a maximum

level of strength over a short period of time. (Castaldi, 1993).

1.29.8 FORE HAND DRIVE

A stroke that right-handed player hits on the right side of the body and a left-

handed player hits on the left side.(Jim Brown, 2004).

1.29.9 BACK HAND DRIVE

A stroke that a right-handed player hits by reaching across the body to the left

side, a left hand player reaches across to the right side to hit a back hand.(Jim Brown ,

2004).

1.29.10 SERVE

The shot used to put the ball into play at the beginning of a point. (Jim Brown,

2004).

Method of starting point. (Tina Hoskins, 2003).

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CHAPER –II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE The study of relevant literature is an essential step get to a clear idea of what has

been done, with regard to the problem under study. Such a review brings about a deep

and clear perspective of the overall field.

The research for reference material is a time consuming but fruitful phase of the

research programme. A familiarity with the literature in any problem area helps the

students to discover what is already known, what others have attempted to find out, what

methods have been promising disappointing, and what problems remain to be solved.

The literature in any field forms the foundation upon which all future work will be

built.” The reviews of literature are generally used as a basis for inductive reasoning for

locating and synthesizing all the relevant literature on a particular topic. A serious and

scholarly attempt has been made by the scholar to go through the related literature and a

brief review of the studies related to the present problem is described in this chapter.

The present chapter covers the available literature pertaining to the present study

on four headings as follow

1. Studies on swiss ball training.

2. Studies on medicine ball training.

3. Studies on combined training.

4. Studies on tennis players performance