Fitness testing for tennis is one of the most valuable components of what we do at the Institute. It can happen as a structured testing day/session or it can occur intermittently throughout training. At our Institute we do both with players, coaches, academies and collegiate programs. The first step is to test in a structured method to obtain baseline metrics on the tennis athlete and then a structured training program can be developed based on each athlete’s strengths and opportunities for improvement. This testing program allows for a personalized and tennis specific program to be developed for each individual tennis player. Based on decades of research, we have specific Key Performance Indicators (KPI) that are needed on these various fitness tests based on age and level of an athlete. For example a top junior player looking to play at the collegiate would need to perform a certain speed test under a set time to be able to compete successfully (from a movement perspective at the collegiate level). We have this data for juniors at different age groups, collegiate players, professional players and adult recreational players. All of this is in our TENNIS FITNESS COMBINE program. This allows for quicker improvements, a greater return on your invested training time, and a correction/improvement of potential areas that may have contributed to future injury. Unfortunately, without effective testing, a generic program will always be limited for each athlete in some areas. A generic program may help improve certain aspects, but may underwhelm in other areas.
We do a series of easy to implement tests in the TENNIS FITNESS COMBINE and then with certain athletes we do more advanced testing (when necessary). The Tennis Fitness Combine is the simplest, most cost effective and practical way to measure the fitness of tennis players. The best part is that all can be done on the tennis court in less than a regular training session. It has been developed over decades using normative data focused on the most important areas needed for tennis athletes. Speed, Power, Flexibility, Coordination, Agility and Endurance are all assessed. This information is designed to be tested by coaches, trainers, parents or anyone who works with tennis athletes.
One of the many benefits of fitness testing is to create a solid baseline and profile of the tennis player. The purpose of this profile is to then develop daily, weekly, monthly and yearly training plans based on the short, medium and long term goals of the player. The example below highlights how the Tennis Fitness Combine information was used for a specific player to structure the tennis, fitness , recovery sessions over a month.
Here is a quick insight to the USTA Collegiate Combine that we developed for the USTA. It highlights the major tests that were used and how it was used for hundreds of the top players in the country. Click Here To Watch The Short Video
What About Adult Recreational & Competitive Players?
Much of this discussion has focused on competitive athletes at the junior, collegiate and professional levels. If you are an adult tennis player you should also be testing on a regular basis. The purpose of testing does not change, The scores and results will likely be different, but the benefits of regular testing are just as important as for a collegiate or professional tennis player. We have a lot of great info at our Academy site with some specific videos and education focused for the adult player. For example here are a few topics that may be of interest
LIVE CALL ON ADULT TENNIS FITNESS with Dr. Mark Kovacs. Mark answers questions from real tennis player’s in the #ASKDRKOVACS (Kovacs Academy membership required)
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