To what extent do the causes of fatigue affect a tennis player's ability to maintain serve speed and accuracy throughout a long match? (8 marks)
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Position Statement:
- Fatigue moderately affects serve performance, with impact increasing as matches extend beyond two hours.
- Primary factors: phosphocreatine depletion for serves and glycogen reduction affecting overall match play.
ATP-PCr System and Serve Power:
- Each serve requires maximum explosive power from the ATP-PCr system lasting 1-2 seconds.
- Brief recovery between points allows substantial PCr replenishment before the next serve.
- However, accumulated serves throughout a match create incomplete recovery cycles.
- First serves typically maintain speed early but show slight decreases in later sets.
- Second serves, requiring precise control, suffer more from fatigue than pure power serves.
- The system’s quick recovery between points limits severe serve speed reduction.
Glycolytic and Aerobic Demands:
- Extended rallies between serves engage glycolytic and aerobic systems substantially.
- Lactic acid from intense rallies can affect serving motion and timing.
- Long matches gradually deplete glycogen stores, reducing overall movement quality.
- This indirect fatigue impacts serve preparation, footwork and balance.
- Players compensate by reducing first-serve percentage to maintain control.
Reaffirmation:
- Fatigue moderately impacts serving, with noticeable but not dramatic effects.
- players maintain most serve speed through efficient PCr recovery between points.
- Accuracy suffers more than raw power as fatigue affects coordination.
- Match duration and rally intensity determine fatigue’s extent more than serve count alone.
- Therefore, while fatigue influences serve performance, the impact remains manageable through tactical adjustments.
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer
Position Statement:
- Fatigue moderately affects serve performance, with impact increasing as matches extend beyond two hours.
- Primary factors: phosphocreatine depletion for serves and glycogen reduction affecting overall match play.
ATP-PCr System and Serve Power:
- Each serve requires maximum explosive power from the ATP-PCr system lasting 1-2 seconds.
- Brief recovery between points allows substantial PCr replenishment before the next serve.
- However, accumulated serves throughout a match create incomplete recovery cycles.
- First serves typically maintain speed early but show slight decreases in later sets.
- Second serves, requiring precise control, suffer more from fatigue than pure power serves.
- The system’s quick recovery between points limits severe serve speed reduction.
Glycolytic and Aerobic Demands:
- Extended rallies between serves engage glycolytic and aerobic systems substantially.
- Lactic acid from intense rallies can affect serving motion and timing.
- Long matches gradually deplete glycogen stores, reducing overall movement quality.
- This indirect fatigue impacts serve preparation, footwork and balance.
- Players compensate by reducing first-serve percentage to maintain control.
Reaffirmation:
- Fatigue moderately impacts serving, with noticeable but not dramatic effects.
- players maintain most serve speed through efficient PCr recovery between points.
- Accuracy suffers more than raw power as fatigue affects coordination.
- Match duration and rally intensity determine fatigue’s extent more than serve count alone.
- Therefore, while fatigue influences serve performance, the impact remains manageable through tactical adjustments.