The effects of coach encouragement on the physical and technical test performances of young tennis players

Year 2024, , 199 - 206, 30.09.2024

Bülent Kilit , Erşan Arslan , Yusuf Soylu , Barış Karakoç

https://doi.org/10.31459/turkjkin.1534175

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of coach encouragement (CE) on the physical and technical performance of young tennis players. Twenty nationally ranked male tennis players (age: 13.6 ± 0.3 years, height: 160.9 ± 7.9 cm, body mass: 52.5 ± 7.6 kg,) participated in the present study. The physical and technical tests were conducted both with and without CE, using a randomized crossover design. Participants attended two sessions for performance assessments, undergoing a series of tests, including the hit and turn tennis test (HTTT), international tennis number test (ITN), counter-movement jump (CMJ) test, 20-m sprint tests, and the T-drill agility test. A paired t-test results demonstrated significant improvements in VO2max, CMJ height, 20-m sprint times, T-drill agility, and ITN scores under CE conditions compared to tests conducted without CE (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that CE positively influences physical and technical performances. Moreover, the effects of CE were more pronounced in long-duration exercises (HTTT and ITN), highlighting the crucial role of motivational support from coaches in the development of young athletes.

Keywords

Coach, feedback, performance, verbal encouragement

Ethical Statement

Ethical Approval The study was approved by the Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University of Social and Humanities Research Ethical Committee (13.02.2024), and it was carried out by the Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association, also known as the Declaration of Helsinki.

Supporting Institution

Funding The authors declare that the study received no funding.

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