title: Mechanical, hormonal and psychological effects of a non-failure short-term strength training program in young tennis players.
abstract: This study examined the effects of a 6-week non-failure strength training program in youth tennis players. Twenty tennis players (age: 15.0 ± 1 years, body height: 170.9 ± 5.1 cm, body mass: 63.3 ± 9.1 kg) were divided into experimental and control groups. Pre and post-tests included half squats, bench press, squat jumps, countermovement-jumps and side-ball throws. Salivary cortisol samples were collected, and the Profile of Mood States questionnaire was used weekly during an anatomical adaptation period, a main training period and after a tapering week. The results showed that, after the main training period, the experimental group significantly improved (p<0.05) in mean and peak power output and in the total number of repetitions during the half-squat endurance test; mean force, power and velocity in the half-squat power output test; Profile of Mood States (in total mood disturbance between the last week of the mean training period and the tapering week); and in squat-jump and countermovement-jump height. Moreover, significant differences were found between the groups at the post-tests in the total number of repetitions, mean and peak power during the half-squat endurance test, mean velocity in the half-squat power output test, salivary cortisol concentration (baselines, first and third week of the mean training period) and in the Profile of Mood States (in fatigue subscale: first and third week of the mean training period). In conclusion, a non-failure strength training protocol improved lower-limb performance levels and produced a moderate psychophysiological impact in youth elite tennis players, suggesting that it is a suitable program to improve strength. Such training protocols do not increase the total training load of tennis players and may be recommended to improve strength.
authors.affiliation: Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sarabia
authors.affiliation: Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Casto
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Juan-Recio
authors.affiliation: Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Hector
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hernández-Davó
authors.affiliation: Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Urbán
authors.affiliation: Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moya
keywords: cortisol; mood states; power output; resistance training; youth athletes