title: Match activity and physiological load in wheelchair tennis players: a pilot study.
abstract: METHODS
  There is a lack of information about the physiological and psychological parameters in competition that shows a comprehensive profile of the demands of the game situation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to examine the activity patterns and physiological-perceptual responses (heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentrations (LA) and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), respectively, during singles wheelchair tennis (WT) matches.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of four WT players played three matches each. HR, LA and RPE were measured during each match. An activity pattern analysis was performed during all matches. Furthermore, LA and RPE were compared between service and return games.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show a mean (s.d.) total match time of 69.04 (2.3) minutes, an effective playing time of 17.65% (0.03%), a work:rest (W:R) time ratio of 1:4.6 (0.48) and a rally length of 7.04 (4.44) seconds. Most of the points end in three or fewer shots. The mean (s.d.) physiological load during the matches were as follows: HR 124.25 (24.7) beats per minute, %HRmax 66.31% (4.5%), LA 1.41 (0.43) mmol l(-)(1) and RPE 12.45 (1.91). No significant differences were found in LA and RPE between service and return games (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this descriptive study, match activity and physiological load in WT are described. Match activities are similar to conventional tennis, although the physiological load is lower. Service and return situations show similar physiological and perceptual responses. These results might be used to develop specific interval training protocols for a male WT player.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain.|Science and Sport Research Group SEJ470, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Pay
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain.|Science and Sport Research Group SEJ470, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torres-Luque
authors.affiliation: Spanish Tennis Federation, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sanz-Rivas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D013715:Tennis / Q000502:physiology*; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid