title: Effects of sports drinks on the maintenance of physical performance during 3 tennis matches: a randomized controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tennis tournaments often involve playing several consecutive matches interspersed with short periods of recovery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was firstly to assess the impact of several successive tennis matches on the physical performance of competitive players and secondly to evaluate the potential of sports drinks to minimize the fatigue induced by repeated matches.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a crossover, randomized controlled study. Eight male regionally-ranked tennis players participated in this study. Players underwent a series of physical tests to assess their strength, speed, power and endurance following the completion of three tennis matches each of two hours duration played over three consecutive half-days (1.5 day period for each condition). In the first condition the players consumed a sports drink before, during and after each match; in the second, they drank an identical volume of placebo water. The results obtained were compared with the third 'rest' condition in which the subjects did not play any tennis. Main outcomes measured were maximal isometric strength and fatigability of knee and elbow extensors, 20-m sprint speed, jumping height, specific repeated sprint ability test and hand grip strength.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The physical test results for the lower limbs showed no significant differences between the three conditions. Conversely, on the upper limbs the EMG data showed greater fatigue of the triceps brachii in the placebo condition compared to the rest condition, while the ingestion of sports drinks attenuated this fatigue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has demonstrated for the first time that, when tennis players are adequately hydrated and ingest balanced meals between matches, then no large drop in physical performance is observed even during consecutive competitive matches.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01353872.
authors.affiliation: Division of Sport Medicine and Biology of Physical Activity, University of Athens Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, Antistasis 41, Athens, 17237, Dafni, Greece.
authors.forename: Thibault
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brink-Elfegoun
authors.affiliation: Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, EA 3533, Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l'Exercice en conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques (AME2P), Bâtiment Biologie B, 24 avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex, F-63171, France ; CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand F-63001, France.
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ratel
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Recherche Adaptations Physiologiques à l'Exercice et Réadaptation à l'Effort, EA-3300, Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: Pierre-Marie
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Leprêtre
authors.affiliation: Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, EA 3533, Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l'Exercice en conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques (AME2P), Bâtiment Biologie B, 24 avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex, F-63171, France ; CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand F-63001, France.
authors.forename: Lore
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.affiliation: Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, EA 3533, Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l'Exercice en conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques (AME2P), Bâtiment Biologie B, 24 avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex, F-63171, France ; CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand F-63001, France.
authors.forename: Gael
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ennequin
authors.affiliation: Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, EA 3533, Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l'Exercice en conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques (AME2P), Bâtiment Biologie B, 24 avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex, F-63171, France ; CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand F-63001, France.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Doré
authors.affiliation: Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, EA 3533, Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l'Exercice en conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques (AME2P), Bâtiment Biologie B, 24 avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex, F-63171, France ; CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand F-63001, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia ; College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Laboratoire Lescuyer, Nutratletic, Aytré, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aubineau
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Laboratoire Lescuyer, Nutratletic, Aytré, France.
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lescuyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Medicine and Functional Explorations, University-Hospital (CHU), G. Montpied Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand F-63003, France ; INRA, UMR 1019, Clermont-Ferrand F-63001, France ; University Clermont 1, UFR Médecine, Clermont-Ferrand F-63001, France ; CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand F-63001, France.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duclos
authors.affiliation: Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, EA 3533, Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l'Exercice en conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques (AME2P), Bâtiment Biologie B, 24 avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex, F-63171, France ; CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand F-63001, France.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sirvent
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Laboratoire Lescuyer, Nutratletic, Aytré, France.
authors.forename: Sébastien L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Peltier
keywords: Fatigue; Nutrition; Performance; Sports drinks; Tennis