EFFECTS OF LOWER LIMB FLEXIBILITY EXERCISE ON TABLE

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EFFECTS OF LOWER LIMB FLEXIBILITY EXERCISE ON

TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS PHYSICAL FITNESS

EFEITOS DO EXERCÍCIO DE FLEXIBILIDADE DOS MEMBROS INFERIORES SOBRE A APTIDÃO FÍSICA DOS

JOGADORES DE TÊNIS DE MESA

EFECTOS DEL EJERCICIO DE FLEXIBILIDAD DE LAS EXTREMIDADES INFERIORES EN LA APTITUD FÍSICA DE

LOS JUGADORES DE TENIS DE MESA

Wenhong Wang

(Physical Education Professional)

Guohai Zhou

(Physical Education Professional)

1. Jinling Institute of Technology,

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

Correspondence:

Wenhong Wang

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. 211169.

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Introduction: the main fitness requirements of table tennis players are highly automated motor skills and

a strong body control ability; this combination is believed to benefit from flexibility exercises. Objective: Study

the effects of lower limb flexibility training on physical fitness in table tennis players. Methods: The controlled

experiment randomly divided 20 volunteers into two groups with no statistical differences between them.

The control group continued using the existing table tennis teaching program, while the experimental group

adopted the optimized lower limb flexibility training program. The course design was organized according to

the physical education teacher’s table tennis player talent training plan. Results: In the experimental group, the

number of right body turns for throwing and blocking increased to 60.41 ± 4.67 times after the experiment; the

number of right body turns increased to 64.045 ± 5.22; in the control group, the number of right push and blocks

increased to 56.78 ± 3.67 times after the experiment. After the experiment, the number of fixed point swing

speed of the whole station increased to 64.66 ± 3.95 (P<0.05). Conclusion: Adding lower limb flexibility exercises

to table tennis flexibility training has been shown to improve athletes’ static and dynamic flexibility, positively

optimizing players’ fitness. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Muscle Stretching Exercises; Lower Limbs; Racquet Sports; Physical Fitness.

RESUMO

Introdução: os principais requisitos de aptidão física dos jogadores de tênis de mesa são habilidades motoras

altamente automatizadas e uma forte capacidade de controle corporal, acredita-se que essa combinação possa ser

beneficiada com exercícios de flexibilidade. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos do treinamento de flexibilidade dos mem-

bros inferiores sobre a aptidão física em jogadores de tênis de mesa. Métodos: O experimento controlado dividiu 20

voluntários, aleatoriamente, em dois grupos sem diferenças estatísticas entre si. O grupo de controle continuou a

utilizar o programa de ensino do tênis de mesa existente, enquanto o grupo experimental adotou o programa de

ensino de treinamento de flexibilidade dos membros inferiores otimizado. O projeto do curso foi organizado de acordo

com o plano de treinamento de talentos de jogadores de tênis de mesa do professor de educação física. Resultados:

No grupo experimental, o número de voltas à direita do corpo para arremesso e bloqueio aumentou para 60,41 ±

4,67 vezes após o experimento; o número de voltas à direita do corpo aumentou para 64,045 ± 5,22; no grupo de

controle, o número de arremessos e bloqueios à direita aumentou para 56.78 ± 3.67 vezes após o experimento. Após

o experimento, o número de velocidade de oscilação de ponto fixo de toda a estação aumentou para 64.66 ± 3.95

(P<0,05). Conclusão: Adicionar exercícios de flexibilidade dos membros inferiores ao treinamento de flexibilidade

do tênis de mesa demonstrou melhorar a flexibilidade estática e dinâmica dos atletas, contribuindo positivamente

para a otimização da aptidão física nos jogadores. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação

dos resultados do tratamento.

Descritores: Exercícios de Alongamento Muscular; Membros Inferiores; Esportes com Raquete; Aptidão Física.

RESUMEN

Introducción: los principales requisitos de aptitud física de los jugadores de tenis de mesa son unas habilidades

motoras muy automatizadas y una gran capacidad de control corporal; se cree que esta combinación puede

beneficiarse de los ejercicios de flexibilidad. Objetivo: Estudiar los efectos del entrenamiento de la flexibilidad de las

extremidades inferiores en la aptitud física de los jugadores de tenis de mesa. Métodos: El experimento controlado

dividió a 20 voluntarios, al azar, en dos grupos sin diferencias estadísticas entre ellos. El grupo de control siguió

utilizando el programa de enseñanza de tenis de mesa existente, mientras que el grupo experimental adoptó el

programa de enseñanza optimizado de entrenamiento de la flexibilidad de las extremidades inferiores. El diseño del

curso se organizó de acuerdo con el plan de entrenamiento de talentos de jugadores de tenis de mesa del profesor de

educación física. Resultados: En el grupo experimental, el número de giros del cuerpo derecho para lanzar y bloquear

aumentó a 60,41 ± 4,67 veces después del experimento; el número de giros del cuerpo derecho aumentó a 64,045 ±

5,22; en el grupo de control, el número de empujes y bloqueos derechos aumentó a 56,78 ± 3,67 veces después del

Original article

Artigo originAl

Artículo originAl

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experimento. Después del experimento, el número de velocidad de swing de punto fijo de toda la estación aumentó

a 64,66 ± 3,95 (P<0,05). Conclusión: Se ha demostrado que añadir ejercicios de flexibilidad de las extremidades

inferiores al entrenamiento de flexibilidad del tenis de mesa mejora la flexibilidad estática y dinámica de los atletas,

contribuyendo positivamente a la optimización de la aptitud física de los jugadores. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios

terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Descriptores: Ejercicios de Estiramiento Muscular; Extremidades Inferiores; Deportes de Raqueta; Aptitud Física.

Article received on 02/01/2023 accepted on 02/16/2023

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202329012023_0061

INTRODUCTION

Although table tennis has a small requirement on the field, the

amount of exercise of athletes is very large. In the limited field, players

can quickly adjust their positions according to the situation of the game

and complete different hitting actions.

Therefore, table tennis can

be said to be the most flexible ball game in the ball game, with high

requirements for players’ ability to react on the spot, and high require-

ments for agility. China’s table tennis has developed well. In addition to

the existing achievements, we should also strengthen the training of

follow-up forces. In the training of the younger generation of athletes,

the optimization of sensitivity quality is a major focus of research.

order to have a further understanding of the optimization of the sen-

sitivity quality of table tennis, the author has studied and analyzed the

game video of the current excellent table tennis players, read a large

number of literature books, and sorted out the sensitivity quality of

the players suitable for the characteristics of table tennis.

First of all,

athletes have extremely fast reaction ability and dodge ability when

completing the technical actions related to table tennis. Secondly, in

addition to the fast speed of changing direction and reaction ability,

athletes should also have the ability to stop at any time, that is to say,

athletes have strong control over the changes of body space position.

Third, athletes should comprehensively use all aspects of the body to

show their comprehensive quality level when performing table tennis

technical actions. Only by achieving the above three points can athletes

improve their control ability and initiative on the field, optimize their

sensitivity quality and improve their competitive level.

The literature

interprets the main sensitivity requirements of table tennis players as

highly automated skills and strong body control ability, and believes

that the combination of the two is a strategy to improve the sensitivity

quality of athletes.

According to the literature, table tennis needs to

complete a large number of changes of direction and sudden stops in

a short time, and the risk of sports injury to joints and muscles is high,

and strengthening the coordination training of athletes can alleviate

this kind of sports injury.

After carefully studying the above documents,

this paper, based on the actual situation of the author’s research area,

takes table tennis players in a professional sports college as the research

object, discusses the impact of lower limb exercises on the sensitivity

of athletes, and wants to further optimize the existing research system,

select more suitable training methods for athletes, so as to provide their

own strength for the training of Chinese table tennis reserve talents.

METHOD

After using the literature research method to have a relatively deep

understanding of the research topic of this article, the author went to a

professional sports school in the research area for research and volun

teer recruitment. The study and all the participants were reviewed and

approved by Ethics Committee of Jinling Institute of Technology (NO.

JLITU20Z06). After obtaining the permission of the coach, I communi

cated with the coaches of the school, sorted out the training programs

for the students’ sensitive qualities, and communicated with the student

representatives to understand their advantages and disadvantages in

table tennis, and obtained first-hand information. Sort out the existing

data, introduce lower limb flexibility exercises, and optimize and mo-

dify the shortcomings of the current sensitivity training program. After

obtaining the preliminary experimental plan of this paper, the expert

review method was used to ask six senior physical education teachers

and sports experts to obtain their evaluation of the experimental plan

and adjust it, and finally the experimental plan of this paper was obtained.

After designing the experiment, we recruited table tennis players

from the professional sports school. They are required to be about 20

years old, have a good sports foundation and have little difference in

performance. During the whole training process, we should always

follow the requirements of the researchers, actively cooperate to com-

plete the relevant sports training, and there should be no absence and

perfunctory. In the process of exercise, stretch and relax carefully to

prevent sports injury. If sports injury occurs, the data of the member will

be deleted. Finally, a total of 20 volunteers were recruited, and their basic

information is shown in Table 1: the basic information of weight, height

and performance are not significantly different when the age is about

20. According to the form of random sampling, they were divided into

experimental group and control group, with 10 members in each group.

In the way of control experiment, the control group continued to

use the existing table tennis sensitivity teaching scheme, while the ex

perimental group adopted the optimized lower limb flexibility training

teaching scheme mentioned above. The curriculum is designed according

Table 1. Summary of characteristics of experimental and control group members.

Experience group

Number Age (yr) Height (cm) Body weight (kg)

1 19.92 183.15 73.27

2 20.46 178.45 73.85

3 20.32 177.52 73.15

4 20.73 180.68 78.1

5 20.53 180.13 78.53

6 20.47 178.57 76.24

7 20.05 175.39 74.81

8 20.74 178.52 76.24

9 19.87 181.8 73.95

10 21.01 180.44 76.16

Control group

Number Age (yr) Height (cm) Body weight (kg)

1 19.84 178.64 78.09

2 19.92 176.71 75.14

3 20.26 178.52 78.63

4 19.37 181.52 76.25

5 20.55 182.18 74.87

6 20.15 179.2 78.29

7 20.13 180.07 76.81

8 21.02 178.65 75.27

9 22.65 177.7 78.05

10 20.47 180.27 75.88

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to the table tennis talent training plan of the physical education teachers.

This is a closed school, so the work and rest and diet problems among

the members are basically eliminated, so that the experimental results

are more rigorous.

Before and after the experiment, collect relevant data for testing, sort

out and analyze the data, as shown in the following section.

RESULTS

Effect of lower limb flexibility exercise on table tennis players

Table 2 selects three indicators of 1RM squat, CMJ jump and 1min

squat as the change judgment of table tennis players’ lower limb strength

to explore the impact of lower limb flexibility training on table tennis

players’ lower limb strength. In the experimental group, 1RM squat

strength increased to (79.653 ± 9.5901) kg, P<0.05; The jumping height

of CMJ in the experimental group increased to (34.923 ± 4.7450) cm,

P<0.05; The number of squats in the experimental group increased to

(52.880 ± 5.4616) times in 1 min, P<0.01. In the control group, 1RM squat

strength decreased to (77.985 ± 9.3268) kg, P>0.05; The jumping height

of CMJ in the experimental group increased to (33.961 ± 4.2288) cm,

P>0.05; The number of squats in the experimental group decreased to

(52.411 ± 5.8042) times (P>0.05). (Table 3)

Table 2 selects six indicators, including sitting forward flexion, hip

flexion, hip extension, sitting forward flexion, hip flexion and hip extension,

as the change judgment of table tennis players’ lower limb flexibility to

explore the impact of lower limb flexibility training on table tennis play-

ers’ lower limb flexibility. In the experimental group, the forward bending

distance in the sitting position was increased to (28.450 ± 8.7495) cm,

P<0.05; The hip flexion angle expanded to (113.924 ± 10.7408) °, P<0.05;

The hip extension angle expanded to (12.114 ± 4.1516) °, P<0.05; The knee

flexion angle expanded to (130.031 ± 7.9293) °, P<0.05; The flexion angle

of ankle and toe was enlarged to (41.782 ± 7.1076) °, P<0.05; The ankle

dorsiflexion angle expanded to (20.333 ± 3.2951) °, P<0.01. In the control

group, the forward bending distance in the sitting position was increased

to (25.651 ± 6.6634) cm, P>0.05; The hip flexion angle decreased to (110.134

± 9.4602) °, P>0.05; The hip extension angle expanded to (9.947 ± 3.9098)

°, P>0.05; The knee flexion angle decreased to (128.175 ± 8.3445) °, P>0.05;

The flexion angle of ankle and toe decreased to (40.979 ± 7.4649) °, P>0.05;

The ankle dorsiflexion angle expanded to (16.858 ± 3.4463) °, P>0.05.

Effect of lower limb flexibility exercise on the sensitivity of

table tennis players

Table 4 selects three indicators, namely, 30m run, cross jump and

splay step, as the change judgment of table tennis players’ sensitivity to

explore the impact of lower limb flexibility training on table tennis players’

sensitivity. Cross-quadrant jump is a common evaluation standard used

to test the sensitivity quality of athletes. Under the guidance of visual

signals, athletes operate their bodies to jump into the corresponding

quadrants. This process can also simulate the sensitivity and reaction

on the field. Athletes should first have strong reaction ability, be able to

quickly identify the information seen by their eyes and transmit it to the

sports center. The sports center should operate the body to complete

the correct jump in a short time, which also requires high sensitivity.

Pushing, blocking, side and right are the common training footwork

requirements of athletes in table tennis training. First, the players attack

the ball with backhand, then catch the ball with forehand position,

and then use cross steps to move to the right to complete the action

of receiving the ball. This series of actions requires high inertia and

speed, which requires the athletes to be familiar with the action, have

high reaction ability, and also have strong sensitivity, Therefore, it can

be used as a main evaluation standard. The fixed-point swing speed of

the whole station is a further test of athletes’ ability. In this test, there is

no well-designed action routine. The coach serves the ball at random,

and the players receive the ball on the other side according to their

own experience and reaction. This is completely a simulation of the

game scene, showing the actual combat ability of the players. Table 5

selects three indicators, namely, 3m sideslip, push and block sideslip,

and swing speed of the whole platform at fixed points, as the change

judgment of table tennis players’ competitive performance, and discus-

ses the impact of lower limb flexibility training on table tennis players’

competitive performance.

Table 2. Effect of lower limb flexibility training on lower limb strength of table tennis

players.

Experience group

Option 1RM squat (kg) CMJ jump (cm) 1 min squat (times)

Before experiment 79.255±8.4325 34.553±5.1532 51.919±6.4290

After experiment 79.653±9.5901 34.923±4.7450 52.880±5.4616

P 0.02667 0.01633 0.00493

Control group

Option 1RM squat (kg) CMJ jump (cm) 1 min squat (times)

Before experiment 78.127±9.4853 33.435±4.6638 52.470±5.8848

After experiment 77.985±9.3268 33.961±4.2288 52.411±5.8042

P 0.97561 0.59444 0.74252

Table 3. Effect of lower limb flexibility training on lower limb flexibility of table

tennis players.

Experience group

Option

Forward flexion in

sitting position (cm)

Hip flexion (°) Hip extension (°)

Before experiment 25.786±9.1444 109.575±12.3437 10.147±3.4463

After experiment 28.450±8.7495 113.924±10.7408 12.114±4.1516

P 0.03810 0.04760 0.01886

Option Knee flexion (°) Ankle toe flexion (°)

Ankle

dorsiflexion (°)

Before experiment 129.299±7.6103 41.002±6.8110 16.574±4.9578

After experiment 130.031±7.9293 41.782±7.1076 20.333±3.2951

P 0.03670 0.04076 0.00695

Control group

Option

Forward flexion in

sitting position (cm)

Hip flexion (°) Hip extension (°)

Before experiment 25.277±8.6932 111.197±11.0154 9.866±3.5773

After experiment 25.651±6.6634 110.134±9.4602 9.947±3.9098

P 0.97059 0.68255 0.20350

Option Knee flexion (°) Ankle toe flexion (°)

Ankle

dorsiflexion (°)

Before experiment 128.360±8.4927 41.093±7.5001 16.314±4.7462

After experiment 128.175±8.3445 40.979±7.4649 16.858±3.4463

P 0.58857 0.72103 0.56781

Table 4. The Effect of Lower Limb Flexibility Exercise on the Sensitivity of Table

Tennis Players.

Experience group

Option 30m run (s)

Cross jump

(correct number)

Eight character

stamp (s)

Before experiment 5.403±0.2306 24.547±2.8962 21.257±2.6200

After experiment 5.231±0.1114 27.343±3.0773 19.824±1.6828

P 0.01362 0.00645 0.03330

Control group

Option 30m run (s)

Cross jump

(correct number)

Eight character

stamp (s)

Before experiment 5.413±0.1404 23.953±2.5966 21.628±2.1464

After experiment 5.251±0.2025 25.408±2.0846 20.882±2.2975

P 0.02827 0.03256 0.06190

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AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTIONS: The author has completed the writing of the article or the critical review of its knowledge content. This paper can be used as the nal draft of the manuscript. Every author

has made an important contribution to this manuscript. Wenhong Wang and Guohai Zhou: writing and execution.

DISCUSSION

The flexibility exercise of lower limbs can be divided into static flexibi-

lity and dynamic flexibility according to different types of training. Static

flexibility is simply understood as the stretching of joints and muscles

by means of external forces in a quiet state. In this process, the joint can

be kept in a stretch state by giving a certain amount of external force

without additional muscle movement. The limiting factor of static flexibi-

lity is not only the external force, but also the endurance of the athletes

themselves. The general measurement form is to stretch a certain joint

of the athlete as far as possible until the athlete feels pain, then this data

threshold is the evaluation standard of the maximum static flexibility.

Dynamic flexibility refers to the range of joint activities completed un-

der the influence of athletes’ own muscle contraction. When the force

is applied, there is a certain dynamic potential energy, so the range of

joint activity corresponding to dynamic flexibility is often greater than

that of static flexibility. However, dynamic flexibility is instantaneous and

cannot be fixed and retained. Static flexibility and dynamic flexibility are

also directly related, and they are in direct proportion. The stronger the

static flexibility, the stronger the dynamic flexibility of the athletes. When

conducting dynamic flexibility training, you can also conduct a series

of static flexibility training first, so that the joints of the athletes can be

extended, so that the dynamic flexibility training can more effectively

improve the flexibility effect of the athletes.

CONCLUSION

It is very important to cultivate the reserve force of table tennis

talents, and the existing research program needs to be optimized and

improved again. This paper introduces the lower limb flexibility exercise

into the sensitivity training, and discusses the effect of the lower limb

flexibility exercise on the sensitivity improvement of table tennis players

using the principles of sports physiology. The research results show that

adding lower limb flexibility exercises to table tennis flexibility training

can better improve the static flexibility and dynamic flexibility of athle

tes, and has a good effect on optimizing the level of athletes’ sensitivity

quality, so it is worth promoting.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The study was supported by Jiangsu education science 14th five

year plan project (Grant No. T-a/2021/07).

All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article

Table 5. Effect of lower limb flexibility training on table tennis players’ competitive

performance.

Experience group

Option 3m sideslip (times)

Push to the

right (times)

Unscheduled swing

speed of the whole

set (times)

Before

experiment

26.655±1.2333 56.813±3.3356 60.792±5.5422

After

experiment

28.162±1.3266 60.411±4.6755 64.045±5.2299

P 0.02495 0.03145 0.01286

Control group

Option 3m sideslip (times)

Push to the

right (times)

Unscheduled swing

speed of the whole

set (times)

Before

experiment

26.695±1.3035 56.682±3.1958 64.171±3.9602

After

experiment

27.358±1.2253 56.782±3.6729 64.664±3.9501

P 0.06977 0.02075 0.02358

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