A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON FITNESS LEVEL AMONG THE WHEELCHAIR TENNIS PLAYERS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the physical fitness profiles among the disabled wheelchair tennis players. A total of 10 male national wheelchair tennis players (n=10) aged from 15-45 years old were recruited and performed Illinois agility test, 20-seconds wheelchair push-up test, 20-meter dash, handgrip strength test, and arm crank ergometer test. The data presented as mean ± SD (standard deviation). The mean value of Illinois agility test was 32.25 ± 2.35 with 60% below average and 40% above average. The mean for 20-seconds wheelchair push-up test was 29 ± 5 repetitions as 50% of the subjects were above average, 40% were below average and 10% were average. The results of 20-meter dash showed that the mean value was 6.85 ± 0.72 seconds. The mean for left handgrip strength test was 39.5 ± 11.7 kg while the mean for right handgrip strength was 40.2 ± 11.1 kg. About 10% of the subjects were above average, 10% were in average rank, while another 80% were below average for the left handgrip strength test. For the right handgrip strength, 10% classified as above average, 20% were average, and another 70% were below average. All of the subjects were able to finish an arm crank ergometer test as the mean value of the test was 103 ± 25 RPM. Based on the findings, agility, muscular strength, power and muscular endurance reveals that subjects are within the normal range. The future study able to compare the body composition along with anthropometric profiles of wheelchair tennis playersfor evaluating the relationship between body composition, anthropometric and sporting performance.