Examining the effect of 10-week target-focused circular training with tennis ball throwing machine on ITN test in performance tennis players of 12-14 age

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of 10-week circular tennis training on tennis performance players of 12-14 years of age by using tennis ball throwing machine on international tennis number (ITN) test and biomotoric properties of the players. This study was conducted on 16 active licensed players who had been playing tennis for at least 4 years in Ankara. The players were divided randomly into two groups as the Experimental Group (n=8) and the Control Group (n=8). After the heights, weights and fat rates of the players were measured, the biometric tests were carried out. On the first day, the Flamingo Balance, sit-and-stretch, reaction time, 5 meters and 20 meters speed tests, T-test, and long standing jump tests were carried out, respectively on the first day; and ITN test was carried out on the second day. The players were made to warm up for 10 minutes before the tests, and were given a trial before the tests. Each test was repeated twice, and the best scores were recorded. The IBM SPSS 19 Package Program was used for statistical analyses of the collected data. The results were compared with the Two-Way ANOVA between the groups, in the group, and following the training. As a result, statistically significant differences were determined between the Experimental Group and the Control Group data in ITN Gs. Dept (p<0.005), ITN Gs. Accuracy (p<0.002), ITN Vole Dept (p<0.002), T-Test (p<0.139), visual reaction (p<0.001), Flexibility (p <0.024), Vertical Jump (p<0.022), Flamingo Balance in the right foot (p <0.046) and left foot (p <0.045). Keywords: Biomotoric characteristics, ITN test, tennis, tennis ball machine