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Muscular Strengthening for the Tennis Athlete: A Review of Protocols and Scientific Evidence. Ben Law
Purpose: 1) To review reported muscular strengthening protocols aimed at the prevention and rehabilitation of tennis injuries and/or the improvement of tennis performance, and 2) To review the experimental research investigating muscular strength as it pertains to tennis athletes. Methods: A computer-based literature search was conducted using Medline, CINAHL and Current Contents/Combined Weeks/All Editions. Keywords used included the term tennis in combination with strength or muscle or imbalance. A secondary search using references listed in manuscripts obtained from the primary search was also performed. Results: 1) Authors often suggested strengthening several body parts concurrently for the prevention and/or treatment of various injuries which are common to tennis players including subacromial impingement, glenohumeral instability, thoracic outlet syndrome, lumbar strains, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, patellofemoral syndrome, patellar tendinitis and tennis leg. Specific protocols varied between authors and were usually based on clinical experience. 2) 11 studies were found specifically related to tennis players and strength; 8 for the shoulder,1 each for the elbow, trunk, and lower extremity. It was inconclusive whether a muscle imbalance exists at the rotator cuff of tennis athletes. Imbalances were reported for forearm, trunk and lower extremity musculature. Strengthening of shoulder internal and external rotators was suggested to increase serve velocity. Isokinetic strengthening, use of free weights, and Theraband were all reported as successful methods of strengthening. Conclusions: Although there were limited experimental studies, there were several strengthening protocols reported. These protocols were typically based on clinical experience, observation or extrapolation of knowledge from studies based on non-tennis players. Clinical Relevance: A summary of specific strengthening protocols has been provided, but clinicians would benefit from further scientific evidence regarding which protocols are most beneficial.