The Effects of 8-Week Plyometric Training on Tennis Agility Performance, Improving Evaluation Throw the Makey Makey

Abstract

Tennis is an intermittent sport characterized by repeated high-intensity efforts during a variable period of time. Aiming to be competitive and successful, tennis players need a mixture of speed, agility, and power combined with high aerobic fitness. Plyometrics are training techniques used by athletes in all types of sports to increase strength and explosiveness. The objectivity of the performance measure varies through measures such as: time, checklists, or established criteria. Makey Makey is an invention kit for everyone, is an electronic invention tool and toy that allows users to connect everyday objects to computer programs. The aim of this study was twofold. Firstly the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 8-week plyometric training program on tennis specific agility. Secondly, this study was directed towards examining objectivity evaluation among three different evaluators/coaches and highlight the need to use new technologies in order to evaluate performance on agility objectively. 24 male amateur tennis players participated in this study. Subjects separated randomly in two groups, the first group underwent an intervention of a 8 week plyometric program. In order to examine agility we used two tennis specific agility test. 3 independent coaches were used in order to measure participants score on each test. When we use the mean scores of coaches we show that the experimental group showed significant improvement on doth test. We also examined the differences and the correlations among coach’s test in order to estimate the objectivity. Our findings highlight the need of mew technologies in order to improve objectivity in laboratory and field measurements. Here we suggest the use, and the development of suitable software for the Makey Makey device.