Thesis (M.App.Sc. in Physiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 1997

Thesis (M.App.Sc. in Physiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 1997

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2006.

[Truncated abstract] Shoulder injuries rank among the most prevalent and debilitating sustained by professional tennis players. The loads, or magnitude, location, direction, duration, frequency, variability and rate of force application, endured by tissues of the shoulder during stroke production, and more particularly the serve, are commonly implicated in shoulder joint injury (Chandler et al., 1992; McCann and Bigliani, 1994; Kibler, 1995). Indeed, past evidence points to these loads increasing along with serve velocity, as well as with varied segment use (Elliott et al., 2003). This dissertation therefore aimed to quantify hypothesised relationships between certain serve types and techniques, and shoulder joint loading among high performance able-bodied and wheelchair players. . . Of final note is that prospective 3D biomechanical examinations of shoulder joint motion in the tennis serve should consider placement of humeral triads distal to the biceps and/or triceps muscle belly. In comparison to markers placed at the mid-point of the humerus (i.e. as used in this thesis), these more distal triad positions appear to alleviate the spurious effects of soft tissue artefact thereby enhancing the accuracy of estimated long-axis rotation of the upper arm. Although the current representation of 3D humeral motion did not confound the comparisons made between serve types or techniques, it is likely that upper arm triads located just above the epicondyles of the humerus could have offered more insightful absolute comparisons to the literature. Further, the elaboration of a joint coordinate system at the shoulder to provide for the more meaningful and functional expression and interpretation of shoulder joint kinetic and kinematic data should also be central to all future, related investigative efforts.

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Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006. / Lower back pain and lower back injuries have been documented as one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in both amateur and professional tennis players. It has also been documented that the serve, which may be considered one of the most important strokes of the game, is also the most likely stroke to cause back pain. A good tennis serve requires considerable trunk rotation. The serve is the highest stress strain action during tennis. In a two set game the minimum number of serves a player may hit is 24 with a maximum excluding deuces and advantages of 96. The “Topspin serve” in particular requires the player to arch their back and this puts the lumbar spine into hyperextension. These movements thus put considerable pressure on the facet joints and multifidi muscles. It stands to reason that any joint related clinical entity can change biomechanics and affect the serve. In research done on golfers with mechanical lower back pain, it was found that club head velocity as well as pain decreased in symptomatic golfers with mechanical lower back pain after manipulation (Jermyn, 2004). No research has yet been done on manipulation of tennis players with lower back pain. The aim of this investigation was to determine the immediate effect of a lumbar manipulation on the clinical and performance measures of amateur tennis players suffering from lower back discomfort associated with playing tennis. / M

Title: The influence of the surface load distribution of the foot during dynamic movement in tennis Objectives: The aim of this work is to determine whether there is a change in the force load in the area of the sole of the foot during the forehand strike phase in an open position depending on the type of playing surface. Methods: The research was attended by 10 level I tennis players of ranging from the age of 17 to 28. Each of the players has played tennis for at least two years, train 2 - 3 times a week and has no limb injury in the past 12 months. Using the Pedar-X instrument, changes in the force of the plantar load during the forhend strike phase on clay and Casali surfaces were measured. To evaluate these changes, the contact forces [N] (vertical reaction forces) were measured. First, an intra-individual foot impact assessment on the heel region and forefoot on the clay and Casali surface were performed using graphs of temporal force averages. Secondly, an inter-individual evaluation of the maximum force values in the region of the heel, midfoot, forefoot, hallux and lesser toes and whole feet of the foot was performed using the paired t-test statistical method. Results: The results of the work show that the different surfaces influence the size of the load as well as its plantar...

Thesis (M.Tech.:Chiropractic)- Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006 22, xii, 44 leaves, Appendices 1-10 / Lower back pain and lower back injuries have been documented as one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in both amateur and professional tennis players. It has also been documented that the serve, which may be considered one of the most important strokes of the game, is also the most likely stroke to cause back pain. A good tennis serve requires considerable trunk rotation. The serve is the highest stress strain action during tennis. In a two set game the minimum number of serves a player may hit is 24 with a maximum excluding deuces and advantages of 96. The “Topspin serve” in particular requires the player to arch their back and this puts the lumbar spine into hyperextension. These movements thus put considerable pressure on the facet joints and multifidi muscles. It stands to reason that any joint related clinical entity can change biomechanics and affect the serve. In research done on golfers with mechanical lower back pain, it was found that club head velocity as well as pain decreased in symptomatic golfers with mechanical lower back pain after manipulation (Jermyn, 2004). No research has yet been done on manipulation of tennis players with lower back pain. The aim of this investigation was to determine the immediate effect of a lumbar manipulation on the clinical and performance measures of amateur tennis players suffering from lower back discomfort associated with playing tennis.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Background: Tennis is one of the most popular sports globally with over 75 million players around the world. Most studies have focused on junior or elite level players although the majority of players around the world are presumed to be recreational/non-professional players. To date, limited research is available pertaining to the epidemiology of tennis related musculoskeletal in non-professional league tennis players in South Africa. This study aimed to determine the profile of musculoskeletal injuries amongst league tennis players in the northern eThekwini region. Methods: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study utilizing a self-administered questionnaire, developed specifically for this research utilizing an expert group and pilot study. The questionnaire contained sections on demographics, tennis history, training and nutrition, court surface and equipment as well as a section on tennis related musculoskeletal injuries. Risk factors for injury were first tested using chi square tests in the case of categorical variables, and t-tests in the case of continuous variables. In order to assess the relationship between injury and potential risk factors for injury, a binary logistic regression using backward selection based on likelihood ratios was used. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the variables remaining in the model at the end were reported. A p value <0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Results: Eighty league tennis players responded giving a response rate of 70.16%. The period prevalence, and the point prevalence of tennis related musculoskeletal injury was 68.75% and 36.25% respectively. A predominance of injuries to the upper extremity were recorded (49%) compared to the lower extremity (27.5%) and the back and trunk (23.5%). The elbow was the most common anatomical site of injury (21.4%) followed by the shoulder (19.4%), the lumbar spine (17.3%) and the knee (8.2%). Age was considered to be a risk factor for injury (p=0.049) as older players in the study (49.32 (17.547) years of age) were less likely to contract an injury than younger players (48.38 (13.210) years of age). The likelihood of injury decreased with a higher Body Mass Index (p=0.042). The relationship between consumption of spirit alcohol and injury was significant (p=0.043). Ex-smokers had a higher chance of contracting an injury (p=0.013). It was also found that those who cycled weekly were less likely to contract an injury (p=0.040). Conclusion: The results concur with other studies on recreational/non-professional tennis players and add insight into risk factors predisposing this population to injury. Health care practitioners need to understand the risk factors for injury in this population so that players can be better managed. Using the results of the study, an injury prevention strategy such as a strength and conditioning program, needs to be implemented with the goal to reduce or prevent common injuries in this population of players. / M