EFFECT OF 12 WEEKS BASIC TENNIS TRAINING ON TENNIS SKILL, STRENGTH AND SIMPLE REACTION TIME IN CHILDREN

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 12 weeks of basic tennis training on tennis skill, strength parameters and simple reaction time characteristics. A total of 24 boys aged 12 years participated in the study voluntarily. Volunteers were divided into two groups as control and experimental groups. The experimental group received a 12-week tennis training program that included basic tennis techniques. The control group did not receive any training program during this period. Data were obtained from subjects one day before and after the 12weeks. Handgrip strength, back and leg strength, squat strength tests on the wall; ITN forehand and backhand batting and service tests for tennis skill; Visual and auditory simple reaction time tests were used for reaction time parameters. For the data analysis, dependent and independent t tests were used in SPSS 22.0 program. There was a significant difference between the pre-post tests in all measured characteristics of the experimental group (p <0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in the control group (p> 0.05). When the experimental and control groups were compared, there was a difference in favor of the experimental group (p <0.05). In conclusion, it can be said that 12 weeks of basic tennis training has positive effects on strength, reaction and basic tennis skills.