ANALYSIS OF EXPLOSIVE AND ELASTIC- EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH OF LOWER LIMBS IN SPANISH YOUNG TOP-LEVEL TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS

Abstract

In table tennis a great number of shots are performed at high speed developing high levels of explosive strength of lower extremities. The aim of this study was to determine the explosive and elastic-explosive strength of the lower limbs in Spanish young top-level table tennis players. A total of 165 players (95 boys and 70 girls) aged 7-17 years were randomly selected to participate in the study. Differences in the vertical jumps battery by category, gender and playing styles were observed. The girls obtained best results in the vertical jump in under 13 and cadet category and boys in the under 11 and junior category respectively. This information could have a great useful and interesting as talent detection, training planning method and as physical performance system control in table tennis. The explosive strength is one of very important physical capacities in this sport.