Preservation of temporal organisation of tennis service following ageing in recreational players

Background:

Ageing leads to functional changes in body systems.

Purpose:

This study sought to examine the age-based differences in temporal patterning, temporal variability and temporal regularity of tennis service in older adults.

Research design:

cross-sectional study.

Study sample:

Participants of this study were volunteers from young (n = 10) and older (n = 11) adults who were self-defined as non-competitive, participating in tennis at a recreational (sub-elite) level for 2–3 days per week regularly.

Data collection:

They were asked to perform 20 trials of the same serves (flat, slice or top-spin) on a regular size court. The timing (duration) of the serve action was recorded and analysed, using a high-speed digital camera. Participants performed the tennis serves during their routine training sessions on a tennis court. They undertook a structured general (10min) and a specific warm-up routine (10min) before performing services. There was a 30-second rest period between trials.

Results:

Findings showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in temporal patterning, whereas the younger group performed the serves with higher variability and regularity/consistency than the older adults in some phases of the action.

Conclusion:

Older adults who participate recreationally in sports are able to preserve some functional organisation of perceptual-motor capacities, such as timing, due to long-term practice effects. The findings illustrate how sport participation may help maintain functional movement organisation following ageing to mitigate age-related declines in perception and action in late adulthood.