Cybex equipped the training facilities for the ATP World Tour Finals at London’s O2
Meanwhile Steve Kotze, strength
and conditioning coach for the LTA, is a fan of Michael Boyle – author of Advances in Functional Training – and a strong supporter of Boyle’s opinion that “programming is not nearly as important as execution”. He therefore focuses heavily on two aspects when working with players: technique and range of motion. He also pinpoints the importance of
developing single-leg strength in tennis players, stabilising the pelvis to increase power, balance and injury prevention in single-leg activities such as running, jumping and squatting. Kotze also believes the tailoring of
training programmes to each individual is essential to achieving optimum physical performance and shorter recovery times, as well as preventing injury. He explains: “Time spent working with the athletes is restricted for strength and conditioning coaches, due to time that the athlete will spend travelling, competing and training on court. Therefore it’s vital that a player’s strengths and weaknesses are identifi ed from the very start. This allows us to establish their specifi c training needs.”
INJURY PREVENTION Injury prevention is necessary in any sport, but is something that perhaps receives extra attention in tennis; due to the nature of the sport, the movements and actions involved in playing tennis put physical strain on many parts of the body. Grant Broadley is head tennis coach at
Esporta Brighton Health and Racquets Club – one of the fi rst commercial racquets clubs to attain LTA High Performance Centre Accreditation. His team uses set defi nitions of body
may 2011 © cybertrek 2011
In training: Rafael Nadal uses the Technogym Kinesis System
types to categorise athletes in order to work on injury prevention and produce bespoke
training programmes to develop playing
ability and fi tness levels. And David Lloyd Leisure
– as Rob Beale, group health and
fi tness manager, explains – “offers one- to-one personal training sessions which tennis members can use to improve their strength, co-ordination and power. But, importantly, there’s also a focus on preventing or overcoming injuries.” The shoulder, wrist and elbow are all
subjected to repetitive, high intensity movements, so it is these areas – combined with the lower back and hamstrings – that tennis conditioning
coaches target. Cybex’s Dalgleish adds: “Programmes must prevent the likelihood of developing some of the more common injuries, such as tennis elbow, rotator cuff and Achilles tendon injuries.”
EQUIPMENT OPTIONS The same fitness equipment that is already installed in gyms and health clubs up and down the country is also used by elite athletes. Since the opening of the LTA’s National Tennis Centre in Roehampton in February 2007, its training facilities have been fully equipped with apparatus from Life Fitness’ Classic range. Chosen because of its high durability, the full suite includes recumbent and upright cycles, cross-trainers and treadmills, all of which have been selected to withstand high intensity and repetitive use by
Read Health Club Management online at
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