Like most sports, tennis is a high-impact game. The body is often subjected to jarring and cutting motions, making the gameplay challenging and harsh. Meanwhile, the upper body is not free from stress as well. Those who play the sport regularly may experience acute pains, which can turn into chronic pain when not considered.
However, the good thing about tennis is that there are many ways to help the body recover from the stress it gives—one of which is sports physiology. But aside from pain relief and temporary rest from the hectic sport, how else do sports physiology help tennis players become their best selves? Here are some examples.
1. Overall Strengthening of the Core Muscles
A lot of energy is required to play tennis well. Aside from strength, our bodies also need endurance and flexibility to repeat specific movements, such as keeping balance when moving around the court and hitting the ball. The core muscles are essential for the direction and stability of the body. Aside from reducing back pain, strengthening these muscles will have the following benefits for tennis players.
2. Protects Feet From Trauma
The feet are often subjected to repetitive motions when playing tennis. Sometimes, players are forced to land on their feet and then jump into the air to hit the ball. It takes a lot of energy and, if not properly managed, will result in much back, joint, and foot pain. Strengthening the core muscles will help protect the feet from trauma because good core muscles will give the body a strong core. The core muscles will also help with stability and balance.
3. Soothes Sore Muscles
The constant movement of the body in tennis may result in sore muscles, which lead to a lot of pain. However, this is not a good thing since the pain may lessen your performance or even worse, the pain may start to linger. If you are experiencing sore muscles, consider those exercises which will ease the pain. Activities using foam rollers are the best ways to help the body recover from soreness.
4. Increases Agility
Reasonable body control and agility are significant for every athlete. As you play more and more, your body develops muscle memory which helps you predict the next move of your opponent. Moreover, agility helps players move around the court quickly and easily. Make sure that you include a routine of exercises that will increase your agility, such as improving your body control.
5. Better Body Movements
Good body movements are also important for tennis players. In essence, if you are not agile, you can’t keep up with your opponent. As you keep improving your agility, you will be able to make faster shots and moves. Aside from skill, body movements also include core stabilisation. It means that your core muscles should be strong enough to support the entire body and not just the upper part.
Conclusion
Sports physiology is an essential factor to improve one’s overall health and performance. It also applies to players who need to ensure they are in top physical condition. Aside from physical conditioning, sports physiology is also a great way to improve the overall performance of the body and mind. Its various components, such as fitness and exercise, functional training, injury prevention, stress management, and nutrition management, will help each player achieve their full potential in the sport.
Invigor Health offers sports physiotherapy to athletes experiencing various pains and stresses on their bodies. As we offer affordable physiotherapy services in Bondi, we also take time to conduct a health and fitness check to ensure that our patients are at their best before stepping into the field. Contact us or schedule an appointment through our website today and take care of your body from various injuries today.
