Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) occurs in almost half of all tennis players. Racket-string tension is considered to be an important factor influencing the development of LE. No literature yet exists that substantiates how string-tension affects force transmission to the elbow, as implicated in LE development. We establish a quantitative relationship between string-tension and elbow loading, analyzing tennis strokes using rackets with varying string-tensions.
METHODS: Twenty recreational tennis players simulated backhand tennis strokes using three rackets strung at tensions of 200 N, 222 N and 245 N. Accelerometers recorded accelerations at the elbow, wrist and racket handle. Average peak acceleration was determined to correlate string-tension with elbow loading.
RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed when average peak acceleration at the elbow at 200 N string-tension (acceleration of 5.58 m/s(2)) was compared with that at 222 N tension (acceleration of 6.83 m/s(2)) and 245 N tension (acceleration of 7.45 m/s(2)). The 200 N racket induced the least acceleration at the elbow.
CONCLUSIONS: Although parameters determining force transmission to the elbow during a tennis stroke are complex, the present study was able to control these parameters, isolating the effect of string-tension. Lower string-tensions transmit less force to the elbow in backhand strokes. Reducing string-tension should be considered favourably with respect to reducing the risk of developing LE.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 184-191 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Shoulder and Elbow |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 6 Apr 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2016 |
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Keywords
- Journal article
- Biomechanics
- Elbo
- Lateral epicondylitis
- String-tension
- Tennis
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}
Racquet string tension directly affects force experienced at the elbow : implications for the development of lateral epicondylitis in tennis players. / Mohandhas, Badri R.; Makaram, Navnit; Drew, Tim S.; Wang, Weijie; Arnold, Graham P.; Abboud, Rami J. (Lead / Corresponding author).
In: Shoulder and Elbow, Vol. 8, No. 3, 07.2016, p. 184-191.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Racquet string tension directly affects force experienced at the elbow
T2 - implications for the development of lateral epicondylitis in tennis players
AU - Mohandhas, Badri R.
AU - Makaram, Navnit
AU - Drew, Tim S.
AU - Wang, Weijie
AU - Arnold, Graham P.
AU - Abboud, Rami J.
PY - 2016/7
Y1 - 2016/7
N2 - BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) occurs in almost half of all tennis players. Racket-string tension is considered to be an important factor influencing the development of LE. No literature yet exists that substantiates how string-tension affects force transmission to the elbow, as implicated in LE development. We establish a quantitative relationship between string-tension and elbow loading, analyzing tennis strokes using rackets with varying string-tensions.METHODS: Twenty recreational tennis players simulated backhand tennis strokes using three rackets strung at tensions of 200 N, 222 N and 245 N. Accelerometers recorded accelerations at the elbow, wrist and racket handle. Average peak acceleration was determined to correlate string-tension with elbow loading.RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed when average peak acceleration at the elbow at 200 N string-tension (acceleration of 5.58 m/s(2)) was compared with that at 222 N tension (acceleration of 6.83 m/s(2)) and 245 N tension (acceleration of 7.45 m/s(2)). The 200 N racket induced the least acceleration at the elbow.CONCLUSIONS: Although parameters determining force transmission to the elbow during a tennis stroke are complex, the present study was able to control these parameters, isolating the effect of string-tension. Lower string-tensions transmit less force to the elbow in backhand strokes. Reducing string-tension should be considered favourably with respect to reducing the risk of developing LE.
AB - BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) occurs in almost half of all tennis players. Racket-string tension is considered to be an important factor influencing the development of LE. No literature yet exists that substantiates how string-tension affects force transmission to the elbow, as implicated in LE development. We establish a quantitative relationship between string-tension and elbow loading, analyzing tennis strokes using rackets with varying string-tensions.METHODS: Twenty recreational tennis players simulated backhand tennis strokes using three rackets strung at tensions of 200 N, 222 N and 245 N. Accelerometers recorded accelerations at the elbow, wrist and racket handle. Average peak acceleration was determined to correlate string-tension with elbow loading.RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed when average peak acceleration at the elbow at 200 N string-tension (acceleration of 5.58 m/s(2)) was compared with that at 222 N tension (acceleration of 6.83 m/s(2)) and 245 N tension (acceleration of 7.45 m/s(2)). The 200 N racket induced the least acceleration at the elbow.CONCLUSIONS: Although parameters determining force transmission to the elbow during a tennis stroke are complex, the present study was able to control these parameters, isolating the effect of string-tension. Lower string-tensions transmit less force to the elbow in backhand strokes. Reducing string-tension should be considered favourably with respect to reducing the risk of developing LE.
KW - Journal article
KW - Biomechanics
KW - Elbo
KW - Lateral epicondylitis
KW - String-tension
KW - Tennis
U2 - 10.1177/1758573216640201
DO - 10.1177/1758573216640201
M3 - Article
VL - 8
SP - 184
EP - 191
JO - Shoulder and Elbow
JF - Shoulder and Elbow
SN - 1758-5732
IS - 3
ER -