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Title

INTEGRATING SPORTS SCIENCE INTO WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

Abstract

This presentation outlines the varying sports sciences and their integration into Wheelchair Tennis. It is now 32 years since the first Wheelchair tennis tournament was held and the sport has grown enormously with increasing attention now being paid to training programs, strength and conditioning, nutrition, recovery, and mental toughness. The game has grown exponentially in the last few years. Wheelchair technology and skill levels have improved and the game is now faster and more powerful. Many of the players are now full time professionals and with that has come increased demand to make sure no stone is left unturned.

Keywords

Wheelhair Tennis, Sport Science

Summary

This presentation will outline the following areas and how they have been integrated into wheelchair tennis.

• Player Support Team
• Evaluations
• Physical Programs
• Mental Programs
• Nutrition
• Recovery
• Planning

Each player is a unique individual with their own special requirements, what they can and cannot do as a result of their injury or congenital disability. It is thus vital that the team working with these athletes fully understands each player’s limitations and challenges their capabilities. Focus on what they can do. As Pete Norfolk, World number one Quad player and Gold medalist at the last two Paralympic Games said recently:
“It is the able bodied who sometimes hold us back because they refuse to accept or acknowledge what can be achieved.”
As Peter so aptly sums up,
“There is nothing you cannot do. It’s all in the mind.”

From a tennis coaching perspective, the principles are the same and the technique is slightly adjusted due to the chair. Coaches should be all encouraged and challenged to take on a ‘wheelie’. With more troops returning from wars with injuries, the work of the ITF promoting the sport in developing nations combined with greater awareness and popularity of sports participation in a chair, wheelchair tennis is bound to grow so much further. In Beijing there were almost 10,000 spectators watching the wheelchair tennis matches. The number of tournaments continue to increase as does prize money. Wheelchair Tennis athletes are now part of the Grand Slams and several players are now being sponsored. The future is indeed bright and the rewards are enormous for all involved on and off the court. Step up and give it a go! The integration of the sports sciences will ensure even greater success for all.
When you believe the impossible,
you open the way for the incredible to come true.

Title 2º

HOW DOES SPORTS SCIENCE FIT INTO A GRAND SLAM?

Abstract 2º

Grand Slams are the most important tournaments of the year for all players and the application of Sports Sciences during these periods is an important factor of success. By this stage, players have done all the hard work and preparation and it is time to play to win! This presentation will begin discussing what has changed over the years and then discuss the different sports sciences and their application to players during a Grand Slam.

Keywords 2º

Sport Science, Grand Slam, Elite Performance

Summary 2º

Today more and more players travel with support teams. Previously it was just a coach but as prize money and professionalism has increased, so too has the player support team. It is not unusual to have a team of 5 or 6 experts surrounding a player. Planning as a team is thus critical to success and ensuring the same key messages are reinforced by all.

Sports Science Applications

Strength and Conditioning - Being primed to win
Compared to other lesser tournaments, this is a time when players usually do not do strength or endurance training. ‘Training’ is usually done on the court and the emphasis is on short, sharp, quick workouts specific to the player’s needs. Warm ups are dynamic, and include high intensity cardiovascular activity, functional tennis like movements, quick agility drills and should prime the nervous system and leave the player energised to play. 



Nutrition -Eating to Win
Low fat, carbohydrate and protein 3-4 hours before a match is usually the order of the day with a light snack 1-2 hours before your match. Timing of food and what best to eat is customised to each individual and ensuring enough energy to still feel fresh at the end of the fifth set when it really counts. Crucial to a player is a an individual hydration strategy, pre, during and post matches. With matches lasting up to five hours in grand slams, replacing energy reserves is crucial.

Recovery
It is not just the physical stress but the mental and emotional stress that a player must handle at a Grand Slam. Pressures from sponsors, media, fans, family and other sources all mount and a players recovery strategy is of utmost importance. Strategies used include: massage, hot and cold showers, ice baths, active and passive stretching, hydration and nutrition, a restful night’s sleep and time for relaxation.

Mentally Tough
Mental preparation has already been done. During a Slam, it is time for mentally rehearsing your match strategies and visualising playing with relaxed concentration and that “winning feeling”. Relaxation techniques to reduce pressures, and remain calm and clear, and energised are also important. Likewise it is most important to ensure a relaxed and positive environment.

Injury Prevention
All players on the Tour today undergo musculoskeletal screening to determine specific areas where they may be predisposed to injury or areas of imbalance and thus have their own individualised program. This is usually done throughout the year, even during Grand Slams. Also many of the top players take their own physiotherapist on tour with them to manage niggles and areas of tightness and ensure their player is ready to win.

Handling the Pressures
Emotional stressors affect a player’s ability to prepare, focus and play. They also increase your risk of injury or illness and may negatively affect your performance, thus it is critical these are addressed prior to a tournament. Planning fun relaxing activities is thus also an important part of the equation.

As Benjamin Disraeli so aptly summed up.
“The secret of success in life is to be ready for the opportunity when it comes.”

CV

Name

Ann

Surname

Quinn

Curriculum vitae

Dr Ann Quinn is Head of Head of Sports Science and Innovation for the Lawn Tennis Association in Great Britain and forms part of the Leadership Team for British tennis. Prior to that, she was Director of Quinnessential Coaching and travelled on the professional tennis circuit for more than 10 years training several of the world’s top players as well as a host of World Champions and Olympic and Paralympic Gold Medallists in other sports.

Ann was formerly Health and Fitness Director of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida and from 1998-2002 was the National Director of Coach Education for Tennis Australia. Dr Quinn has been honoured with many awards including the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year, Australian Sports Medal, 2002 PTR Plagenhoef Sport Science Award, and the 2002 ITF Award for services to the game in coaching.

Ann has a Ph.D. in Psychology (University of Melbourne), M.Sc. in Exercise Science (University of Illinois), Ba.App.Sc. in Human Movement (RMIT), Dip.Ed. (Melbourne) and Dip. Nutrition (London). She was a member of the ITF Coaches Commission from 1999-2007 and is now a member of their Sports Medicine and Sports Science Commission and has been a member of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Professional Development Panel since 2000. She has written, co-authored and edited several coaching publications including the ITF Strength and Conditioning and Sports Psychology Books.

History

Member for

2 years 36 weeks