This is the first study reporting physiological (ie, blood lactate concentration) and perceptual (ie, RPE) responses in professional tennis players during actual tennis match play. We have also examined these physiological–perceptual loads in conjunction with individual patterns of match-play activity. Our results show that the activity patterns of top-class tennis players are characterised by intermittent exercise, consisting of short (1–9 s) bouts interspersed with short (10–20 s) recovery bouts, interrupted by periods of longer duration (60–90 s). The physiological and perceptual responses to this movement pattern are relatively moderate blood lactate concentrations and RPE values during the match. We also found that the blood lactate and RPE responses were influenced by DR and SR (long rallies and/or high number of strokes per rally resulted in higher metabolic and perceptual load) and by type of play (higher in service than in receiving games). Our results provide coaches and fitness trainers with valuable information to aid in the prescription and physiological assessment of sports-specific training activities for elite tennis players.
The mean duration of rallies and rest periods in the matches studied was 7 and 16 s, respectively. This establishes a W:R of 1:2.2—that is, elite tennis players rested 2.2 s for every second of work performed during the rally.
The frequency distribution of work periods and the ratio between work and rest periods obtained in this study might be used to develop individual, intermittent, training protocols for tennis players.
The results indicate that there were increases in blood lactate concentrations and RPE in response to increases in DR or SR, with better correlations in service than in receiving
games (table 2). These data provide support for a functional link among the three main effort continua (physiological, perceptual and physical demands) during tennis match play. Therefore, DRs and/or the number of strokes per rally during on-court practice can be conveniently manipulated to ensure that adequate physiological stimulus is provided and player’s individual objectives are achieved.
Source: Activity patterns, blood lactate concentrations and ratings of perceived exertion during a professional singles tennis tournament. Br J Sports Med 2007;41:296–300.