title: Effects of playing surface (hard and clay courts) on heart rate and blood lactate during tennis matches played by high-level players.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare tennis matches played on clay (CL) and resin (R) courts. Six matches were played (3 on CL courts and 3 on R courts) by 6 high-level players. Heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously while running time (4.66 m), and blood lactate concentration ([La]) were measured every 4 games. Mean duration of points and effective playing time (EPT) were measured for each match. Mean HR (154 ± 12 vs. 141 ± 9 b · min(-1)) and [La] values (5.7 ± 1.8 vs. 3.6 ± 1.2 mmol · L(-1)) were significantly higher on CL (p < 0.05). The [La] increased significantly during the match on CL court. Mean duration of rallies (8.5 ± 0.2 vs. 5.9 ± 0.5 seconds) and EPT (26.2 ± 1.9 vs. 19.5 ± 2.0%) were significantly longer (p < 0.05) on CL. Running time values in speed tests were not significantly different between CL and R. Running time performance was not significantly decreased during the match, whatever the playing surface. This study shows that the court surface influences the characteristics of the match and the player's physiological responses. The court surface should be a key factor for consideration when coaches determine specific training programs for high-level tennis players.
authors.affiliation: Sport Sciences and Physical Education Department, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, Branch of Brittany, Ker Lann Campus, Bruz, France. caromartin@numericable.fr
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thevenet
authors.forename: Hassane
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zouhal
authors.forename: Yoan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mornet
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Delès
authors.forename: Tanguy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Crestel
authors.forename: Abderraouf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Abderrahman
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prioux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D000077215:Clay; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D013715:Tennis / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D019344:Lactic Acid; D000077215:Clay