A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Topspin Forehand against Topspin and Backspin in Table Tennis
The topspin forehand is the most frequent and effective shot in top-level table tennis matches. The present study assesses the biomechanical differences in the topspin forehand stroke technique when the incoming ball is in different rotations. Eight national level-1 male table tennis athletes (176.6...
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| author | Chuangui Mao Tao Liu Xinglu Li Zijun Lu Zhengao Li Kaige Xing Lixia Chen Yuliang Sun |
| author_facet | Chuangui Mao Tao Liu Xinglu Li Zijun Lu Zhengao Li Kaige Xing Lixia Chen Yuliang Sun |
| author_sort | Chuangui Mao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The topspin forehand is the most frequent and effective shot in top-level table tennis matches. The present study assesses the biomechanical differences in the topspin forehand stroke technique when the incoming ball is in different rotations. Eight national level-1 male table tennis athletes (176.6 ± 4.8 cm, 70.8 ± 6.6 kg, 20.9 ± 2.4 yr) performed two kinds of techniques—topspin forehand strokes against topspin (AT) and against backspin (AB) balls, respectively. The kinematic parameters of their bodies and rackets were calculated. Meanwhile, the force plates analyzed their lower limb moments through inverse dynamics. Paired <i>t</i>-test and non-parametric paired <i>t</i>-test mapping were used to assess the differences between the two conditions. Their center of gravity (COG) vertical distance, elbow flexion, thorax–pelvis flexion, and knee flexion angles had significant differences during the stroke phase (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The moment of the racket-side hip rotation and ankle dorsiflexion showed significant differences during the stroke phase (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The racket velocity, angle, and trajectories showed significant differences at characteristic moments (<i>p</i> < 0.05). This study revealed the different topspin forehand stroke techniques in table tennis, even though the two movements look similar. Compared with AT strokes, the athletes kept a straight elbow and lower center of gravity than they did during the stroke phase of AB strokes. They increased the distance of the racket trajectory and velocity to meet the incoming ball with a backspin, especially in the vertical direction. This detailed information is necessary for beginners to improve the efficiency of their forehand topspin technique, especially in strokes against incoming balls with different rotations. |
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| spelling | doaj.art-047b18d0edd04f07b8af9ef9d19046f72023-11-18T18:08:29ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-07-011314811910.3390/app13148119A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Topspin Forehand against Topspin and Backspin in Table TennisChuangui Mao0Tao Liu1Xinglu Li2Zijun Lu3Zhengao Li4Kaige Xing5Lixia Chen6Yuliang Sun7School of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaThe topspin forehand is the most frequent and effective shot in top-level table tennis matches. The present study assesses the biomechanical differences in the topspin forehand stroke technique when the incoming ball is in different rotations. Eight national level-1 male table tennis athletes (176.6 ± 4.8 cm, 70.8 ± 6.6 kg, 20.9 ± 2.4 yr) performed two kinds of techniques—topspin forehand strokes against topspin (AT) and against backspin (AB) balls, respectively. The kinematic parameters of their bodies and rackets were calculated. Meanwhile, the force plates analyzed their lower limb moments through inverse dynamics. Paired <i>t</i>-test and non-parametric paired <i>t</i>-test mapping were used to assess the differences between the two conditions. Their center of gravity (COG) vertical distance, elbow flexion, thorax–pelvis flexion, and knee flexion angles had significant differences during the stroke phase (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The moment of the racket-side hip rotation and ankle dorsiflexion showed significant differences during the stroke phase (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The racket velocity, angle, and trajectories showed significant differences at characteristic moments (<i>p</i> < 0.05). This study revealed the different topspin forehand stroke techniques in table tennis, even though the two movements look similar. Compared with AT strokes, the athletes kept a straight elbow and lower center of gravity than they did during the stroke phase of AB strokes. They increased the distance of the racket trajectory and velocity to meet the incoming ball with a backspin, especially in the vertical direction. This detailed information is necessary for beginners to improve the efficiency of their forehand topspin technique, especially in strokes against incoming balls with different rotations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/14/81193D motion analysistable tennistopspin forehandshot techniqueskinematickinetic |
| spellingShingle | Chuangui Mao Tao Liu Xinglu Li Zijun Lu Zhengao Li Kaige Xing Lixia Chen Yuliang Sun A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Topspin Forehand against Topspin and Backspin in Table Tennis Applied Sciences 3D motion analysis table tennis topspin forehand shot techniques kinematic kinetic |
| title | A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Topspin Forehand against Topspin and Backspin in Table Tennis |
| title_full | A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Topspin Forehand against Topspin and Backspin in Table Tennis |
| title_fullStr | A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Topspin Forehand against Topspin and Backspin in Table Tennis |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Topspin Forehand against Topspin and Backspin in Table Tennis |
| title_short | A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Topspin Forehand against Topspin and Backspin in Table Tennis |
| title_sort | comparative biomechanical analysis of topspin forehand against topspin and backspin in table tennis |
| topic | 3D motion analysis table tennis topspin forehand shot techniques kinematic kinetic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/14/8119 |
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