EFFECTS OF RULE CHANGES ON PERFORMANCE EFFICACY: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WINNERS AND LOSERS TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS

Abstract

The goal of this study was to analyze the differences in table tennis games between winning and losing players, considering changes of rules. The data taken from four major rule changes in 122 games between 244 players in the period 1996-2015 were analyzed. Performance indicators were 30 technical and tactical activities (type, total number, and stroke outcome) as well as serve and return activities (type, total number, serve outcome, and return outcome). A Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon nonparametric test (p≤0.05) was done. The results showed that the number of strokes per points considering change of rules varied, while domination of forehand play remained. The existence of statistically significant differences between winners and losers in all the analyzed periods: playing with a 38 mm ball to 21 points in eight activities, playing with a 40 mm ball till 21 points in one activity, playing with a 40 mm ball till 11 points in seven activities, and playing with new racket coverings in 14 activities were noted. The results showed the existence of different playing patterns, styles of play, and performance profiles for winning. Nowadays, players use, to a larger extent, different ways to win, but the effectiveness of the serve and return play gained importance.