Physiological and perceptual demands of singles and doubles beach tennis in women of different competition levels

Nathalia Jung; Leandro Carpes; Lucas Domingues; Rodrigo Abreu; Magni Mohr; Rodrigo Ferrari

doi:10.3389/fphys.2024.1434636

Physiological and perceptual demands of singles and doubles beach tennis in women of different competition levels

Front Physiol. 2024 Oct 30:15:1434636. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1434636. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Nathalia Jung^{1

2}, Leandro Carpes^{2

3}, Lucas Domingues^{2

3}, Rodrigo Abreu^{2

3}, Magni Mohr^{4

5}, Rodrigo Ferrari^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Postgraduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, School of Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
² Sports and Exercise Training Study Group, Clinical Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
³ Postgraduate Program in Cardiology, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
⁴ Centre of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
⁵ Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze and compare the physiological responses of women during singles and doubles beach tennis sessions.

Methods: In this crossover trial, twenty-two women with previous participation in amateur beach tennis tournaments randomly performed two experimental sessions: singles and doubles beach tennis. The routine for both sessions consisted of 10-min of seated rest, followed by 45-min of beach tennis and 30-min of post-exercise recovery. Participants were matched against opponents of the same competition level, defined according to their local beach tennis ranking (advanced or intermediate level). They warmed up with basic techniques for 5-min and played 3 matches lasting 12-min, interspersed with 2-min recovery intervals. Heart rate (HR), energy expenditure (EE), number of steps (STEPS), handgrip strength (HS), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and enjoyment were assessed throughout the sessions. Generalized estimating equations were employed to examine the main effects between experimental sessions over the time and in relation to competition level.

Results: HRmean and HRmax (Δ: HRmean = 13 ± 3 bpm; HRmax = 11 ± 3 bpm) as well as EE and Steps (Δ: EE = 66 ± 22 kcal; RPE = 2 ± 0 A.U.; Steps = 250 ± 52 A.U.) were higher in singles than doubles (p < 0.05). The percentage of total time spent in the highest HR zone (91-100%HRmax) was significantly greater in singles than in doubles (39% ± 22% vs. 15% ± 18%; p < 0.05). Differences were found in the percentage of total time spent in each HR zone, recovery HR, and HS between competition levels (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Singles beach tennis resulted in higher physiological demands than doubles in women, and players' competition level partly affects the training responses.

Keywords: accelerometer; exercise physiology; heart rate; racket sports; recreational sports.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was partially funded by the Research and Education Fund of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (FIPE/HCPA, grant number 2021-0449), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) - finance code 001. NJ, LC, LD, and RA received a scholarship from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) - finance code 001.