The effect of table tennis tournament on physical and physiological parameters in veteran athletes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of table tennis tournament on physiological parameters and technique in veteran athletes. Eight male veteran athletes (52,25±4,36 years, 176±7,05 cm, 176±7,05 cm, 84,25±12,15 kg) over the age of 40 playing table tennis in Kütahya province participated in the study. Veterans were active athletes with an average of 7 years of sports history and regularly trained 3 days a week. Measurements were taken before, during and after the tournament. Height, body weight, hand grip strength, flexibility, vertical jump, vertical jump, agility and target serve test measurements were taken before the tournament, and a pulse meter was worn during the tournament to determine the heart rate. In addition, perceived degree of difficulty (PDD) and delayed muscle soreness (DMS) were asked and the measurement values were recorded on the information form prepared for each athlete. Normality test, descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA test and paired sample t test were used in the analyses of the data. According to the results, a significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test measurements of agility, vertical jump, handstroke (p<0,05). In addition, a significant difference was found between calorie and maximum pulse levels (p<0,05), while no significant difference was found between AZD and mean pulse levels (p>0,05). In conclusion, this research for the effect on the performance of veteran athletes emphasises the potential of table tennis tournament to affect certain physical characteristics. In addition, according to the data obtained, it can be used in determining training programmes by considering the effect of table tennis tournament on performance. Keywords:Agility, Target Service Test, Vertical Jump