2. Introduction
When playing Tennis our Body Systems work in different ways
to support one another. The body systems used need to be
healthy for the player to perform at there best. The body
systems used in Tennis are:
Skeletal System
Muscular System
Energy Systems
Circulatory and Respiratory System
Hydration is not a body system but it plays a important role
in helping the body systems work efficiently.
3. Skeletal System
The Skeletal System plays a major role when playing tennis, because it supports your
body, gives it structure, protects major organs E.G lungs and heart, produces blood
cells for the body to function and a place for the minerals to be stored. Major bones
used in Tennis consist of Fingers, Wrists, Arms, Shoulders, Hips, Feet, Ankles and
Knees.
Major Bones Used in Tennis:
Metacarpals and Phalanges (fingers): To grip and hold the racquet.
Carpals (Wrist): To flick and move the racquet.
Humerus, Radius, Ulna (arms): To support your wrist and fingers when hitting the
ball, it also provides power when hitting the ball.
Clavicle, Scapular and the Upper Humerus (Shoulder): Needed to pivot and for
serving.
Pelvis, Sacrum and Coccyx (Hip): Needed to align your body to hit the ball.
Tarsals, Metacarpals, Phalanges (foot): To move, run, balance move and for foot
wear.
Talus (Ankles): To start and stop quickly.
Tibia, Patella (Knee): To bend over to hit the lower shots.
4. Types of Bones
Long Bones: Are the longest bones in the body, which are wider then
there width, an example is a Femur.
Short Bones: Short Bones are bones that are as wide as their length,
an example is the Carpals.
Flat Bones: Flat bones are the strongest bones and provide
protection to the vital organs, an example is the Sternum
Irregular Bones: Are bones that are shaped weirdly, an example is a
vertebrate.
Sesamoid Bones: These bones are usually short or irregular bones
that are attached to a tendon an example is the patella.
5. Types of Joints
A Joint is a structure in the human body at which two parts of the skeleton are
fitted together. Types of Joints are:
Fibrous Joint: These joints have no cavity and are connected with fibrous
connective tissue. Fibrous joints connect the skull bones.
Cartilaginous Joint: They are connected entirely by cartilage. Cartilaginous
joints allow movement between bones.
Ball and Socket Joint : Also known as the hip joint, is a natural or
manufactured joint which is particularly rounded in a socket, this allows
multidirectional movement and rotation.
Saddle Joint: A Saddle joint is a joint shaped like a saddle with articular
surfaces that is convex in one direction and concaves in another. This allows
movement in any direction except the centre rotation.
6. How these Bones and Joints are linked
to Tennis:
Bones are linked to Tennis because they are the structure of our body which
allows us to move, twist and hit the ball during a game of tennis. For example
our; fingers let us grip and hold the racquet, wrist, allows us to move the
racquet, our arms give us power when hitting the ball, shoulder, allows us to
pivot when serving, hips assist us to hit the ball, our knees let us bend down to
hit the lower shots and our feet allow us to start and stop quickly, and allow us to
balance.
Bone Joints are linked to Tennis because they give movement between the
bones, which allows us to put our bodies into unusual positions, such as hitting a
low shot. Without joints our bodies wouldn’t be able to move, as the joints
provide movement in our bones.
7. Muscular System
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zMTypF9jVo
Major Muscles Used in Tennis:
Biceps: Biceps have predominantly fast-twitch muscle fibres, and are
used to hit the ball forehand.
Triceps: Triceps have predominantly fast-twitch muscle fibres, and is
used to hit the ball backhand.
Quadriceps: Quadriceps are intermediate fast-twitch muscle fibres,
and are used for run to hit balls.
Hamstrings: Hamstrings have predominantly fast-twitch muscle fibre,
they are used to run and bend for low shots.
Gastrocnemius: Gastrocnemius have predominantly slow-twitch
muscle fibres, they are used to step, jump and serve.
Abdominals: Abs have predominantly slow-twitch muscle fibres, and
are used to twist and move your upper body.
Deltoids: Deltoids have predominantly fast-twitch muscle fibres, and
is used to serve and for a overhead smash.
8. Muscular System: Fast or Slow Twitch
Muscle Fibres
Tennis is a predominantly fast twitch muscle fibre sport as it is 70% fast twitch
and 30% slow twitch. This is because when you play tennis you mostly have fast
and short bursts of energy during a set E.G. when there is a rally. Very rarely
there is a long period of game time in a game of Tennis.
9. Energy Systems
There are two types of Energy Systems, they are Aerobic and Anaerobic. The
Aerobic energy system is the system that works for longer periods of time. The
intensity level is low-moderate, examples are cycling, rowing and long distance
running. Energy sources include Fats and Protein.
Anaerobic energy system is the system that works for a shorter period of time.
The intensity level is High, examples are sprinting, weight lifting, and high
jump. Energy sources include Carbohydrates and Fats.
Both of the Energy systems can be used at the same time, because at the
beginning of exercise the anaerobic energy system is providing most of the
energy as it extends over a short period of time. As the duration of the exercise
increases, the aerobic energy system becomes the dominant supplier of the
energy.
10. Energy Systems in Tennis
When playing a game of Tennis our body uses different percentages of each
energy system. The percentages when playing a game of tennis is, 70% Anaerobic
(Alactic Phosphocreatine), 20% Lactic Anaerobic Glycolysis and 10% Aerobic.
Tennis predominantly uses the Anaerobic energy system because it is needed for
short sprints and for a powerful serve in a set.
When playing a game of Tennis a build up of Lactic Acid slowly piles up. Lactic
Acid is a colourless syrupy organic acid formed and produced in the muscle
tissues during strenuous exercise and is always being produced, we don’t see it
because the production is less than removal, this has been associated with
fatigue.
During a Training Tennis Match your body accumulates: 1-9 mmol l (Millimoles per
litre).
During a Tournament Tennis Match your Body accumulates: 2-8 mmol l.
11. Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
The Circulatory System serves many important functions during a game of Tennis.
The Circulatory System consists of, the heart, blood vessels and blood, these
three body parts work together, delivering oxygen to the muscles being used,
e.g. the biceps, Oxygenates the blood by returning it to our lungs, transports
heat from our body to the skin, gives nutrients/fuel to active tissues, and
transports hormones, during a game of Tennis.
A game of Tennis requires high amounts of blood flow in the body. This is because
it sends oxygenated blood through veins and arteries, to the muscles that need
recovery. The oxygenated blood runs through the arteries and to the muscles and
tissues that are in use, then the de-oxygenated blood runs back through the veins
and back into the heart.
It is important that the Circulatory and Respiratory Systems work together, so
that the oxygen can be pumped around the body. Every cell in our body needs
oxygen and nutrients to create energy. Cells use oxygen to break down the
nutrients from food to release energy (respiration).
12. Circulatory and Respiratory System
The Circulatory and Respiratory systems are responsible for sending oxygen and
food to all the cells in the body. The respiratory system brings oxygen into the
body and releases the waste products produced by respiration.
An effective Respiratory system ensures that the maximum amount of oxygen
reaches the lungs and gets into the bloodstream. An efficient circulatory system
ensures the maximum amount of oxygen is pumped to the muscles and other
organs, this allows them to work more efficiently.
More efficient Circulatory and Respiratory System, allows better performance
and participation in Tennis, or any other sport.
13. Hydration
You must ensure that you drink about 500mL to 1L of water before your start
playing tennis, as this will assure that your body is hydrated and ready to play.
In a game of Tennis you must consume some sort of fluid every 15-20 minutes,
regardless of your thirst level. Just because you don’t feel thirsty doesn’t mean
your hydrated.
You must drink between changeovers, as it replenishes your body fluids. Sports
drinks are recommended as they contain carbohydrates and active electrolytes.
When a player consumes carbs during a game, studies have proven you are able
to maintain more power and accuracy.
14. Bibliography
Taylor, T Unknown. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from
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Types of Bones in the Human Body Unknown. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from
http://www.teachpe.com/anatomy/types_of_bones.php
Proper Tennis Nutrition for Tennis Players Unknown. Retrieved March 20, 2015,
from http://www.optimumtennis.net/tennis-nutrition-for-tennis-players.htm
ITF Coaches Education Programme Level 2 Coaching Course 2007. Retrieved
March 4, 2015, from
http://en.coaching.itftennis.com/media/113851/113851.pdf
What muscles/bones are used in playing TENNIS..??Explain..? Unknown. Retrieved
March 4, 2015, from
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080106181013AAGPS9E
G.C.S.E. PHYSICAL EDUCATION Unknown. Retrieved March 1 2015, from
http://www.winterhill.org.uk/_files/Subjects/PE/C6333A52D708A1F979B4034C6
A1B4B42.pdf
