title: Acute effects of two different tennis sessions on dorsal and lumbar spine of adult players.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the dorsal and lumbar spine of expert and recreational tennis players before (pre) and after (post) two different training sessions. The sample consisted of 17 male tennis players, nine expert and eight recreational males (age 21.2 ± 1.6 years). We assessed the back surface by rasterstereography pre and post two different training sessions both lasting 1.5 h: a standard training and a specific over-shoulder shots training session, respectively. Lordotic and kyphotic angle, length, imbalance, inclination for trunk, pelvic torsion, left and right lateral deviation and surface rotation were measured. Tennis expertise (expert versus recreational) significantly affected the surface rotation and right lateral deviation (P < 0.05). Trunk length was affected by intervention (pre versus post) (P < 0.05). Left lateral deviation differed both for type of session (session 1 versus session 2) and intervention (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). Expert tennis players had higher values on surface rotation and right lateral deviation, around or just above physiological values (0-5° and 0-5 mm, respectively). Type of session significantly affected left lateral deviation, indicating that over-shoulder shots lead to a higher stress for the spine; the workload produced by both single sessions led to a shortening effect on trunk length. A single training session can induce acute modifications in some parameters of dorsal and lumbar spine of players.
authors.affiliation: a Unit of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences , University of Rome "Foro Italico" , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gallotta
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bonavolontà
authors.forename: Gian Pietro
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Emerenziani
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franciosi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tito
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guidetti
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baldari
mesh_terms: D064131:Back Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D013715:Tennis / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: back surface analysis; muscle asymmetry; spine alterations; tennis