The effects of acute vibration application to elite tennis players on serve speed

Objective: The study aims to investigate the effect of acute vibration application on the dominant arm of the tennis players on their serve speed. Material and Methods: 26 male tennis players (mean age:18,96 ± 3,6 years; mean height: 177,07 ± 6,03) voluntarily participated in the study. After performing three serves by each tennis players, the mean of the serve speed of the whole group was calculated. Their serve speeds were recorded again after applying acute vibration on their dominant arms. A radar gun (Bushnell Velocity Speed Gun) was used to assess the ball speed of the participants. Vibration was applied for 30 seconds with 27 Hz and 2 mm amplitude modes. The normal serve speed of the players and their serve speed values recorded after the acute vibration application were compared. Findings: Acute vibration application was found to be positively effective in serve speed in tennis players and it was determined that it significantly increased their serve speed (p<0.001). Conclusion: Acute vibration application is effective in the increase of the serve speed of the tennis players.