Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of integrative neuromuscular training (NMT) on sprint and the ability to change direction for children who are between the ages of 7 and 8 and beginning to play tennis.
Methods: Thirty-two participants were randomized into a training group (TG; n = 16) and a control group (CG; n = 16). All participants attended tennis classes twice a week for a continuous 8 weeks. In addition, the TG received NMT (e.g., 20-m sprints, running at four corners, rope ladder drills, etc.), which progressed in difficulty every 2 weeks. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measurements, including a 30-m sprint test, a 5-10-5 test, and a 3 × 10 m shuttle run test, were assessed by a Smartspeed laser timing gate system, while the spider agility test was evaluated with a stopwatch.
Results: Two-way repeated measures ANOVA found significant differences in the interaction between time and group among variables measured. Results were as follows: time in the 30 m sprint (F = 13.467, 95% CI = 7.163-7.506, p = 0.001, η 2 p = 0.310, Δ = 0.42 s); 5-10-5 test (F = 13.975, 95% CI = 8.696-9.017, p = 0.001, η 2 p = 0.318, Δ = 0.78 s); 3 × 10 m shuttle run (F = 7.605, 95% CI = 11.213-11.642, p = 0.01, η 2 p = 0.202, Δ = 0.77 s); and spider agility test (F = 34.555, 95% CI = 28.258-29.670, p < 0.001, η 2 p = 0.535, Δ = 3.96 s). The results demonstrated a greater decrease in sprint and change of direction (COD) time among the TG than the CG from pre-intervention to post-intervention.
Conclusion: A regular tennis training combined with NMT program could produce greater improvement in a player's sprint and ability to change direction when introduced to childhood tennis beginners in a sensitive period, compared to tennis class intervention only.
Keywords: child; movement; performance; physical fitness; sensitive period.
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