Abstract
Ball machines are often used in practice in various sport games. Recent studies have shown some differences in the swing timing and movement coordination, when the player is facing a ball machine.
We watched the movement initiation time and stroke timing during returning tennis serves (simulated by a ball machine or server). The aim of this study was to examine whether different constraints of returning against a ball machine compared to a server in tennis affect timing of the return stroke.
The measures proceeded on a tennis court. We used the ball speeds of the serves 100 kph and 125 kph.
One of the groups (n = 7) faced a ball machine. The other group (n = 7) faced a server.
Players had shorter initial movement time when they were facing the ball machine. Analysis of variance for repeated measures showed significant effect in the swing duration between the ball machine and the server.
The swing duration was longer in the ball machine group. The results showed significant differences in the swing duration between the ball machine and server.
However, different movement initiation time and swing duration are demonstrating differences in the movement timing of the return stroke. The use of ball machines should be limited in practice sessions.