Correlation between upper limb proprioception and stroke effect of table tennis players

This study aims to evaluate the upper limb proprioception of table tennis players and investigate the correlation between upper limb proprioception and the stroke effect. A cross-sectional design was employed in this study and 106 right-handed table tennis players were recruited from China Table Tennis College. All participants attended the upper limb proprioception test (joint position sense test and force sense test) and stroke effect test. The force sense had a significant correlation with the ball speed, rotation speed, and placement (all p < 0.05). The accuracy of the elbow joint flexion at 30° and 60° was significantly correlated with the placement and rotation speed (p < 0.05). The accuracy of the elbow joint extension at 30° and 60° was significantly correlated with the ball speed and rotation speed (p < 0.05). The accuracy of the elbow joint flexion and extension at 60° was higher than that at 30°, respectively. There were significant differences in the upper limb proprioception and stroke effect between different skill levels of table tennis players. The results indicate that: (1) Athletes with superior force sense can better regulate stroke power, thereby enhancing stroke effect; (2) The accuracy of the elbow joint position sense is a critical factor in improving ball rotation speed and placement; (3) The higher usage frequency of 60° elbow flexion and extension movements helps to increase the neural adaptation to these movements, thereby enhancing the elbow joint position sense at 60°; (4) Apart from the disparity in skill levels, the more precise control of the nervous system over muscle and joint movements may also contribute to better stroke effect of table tennis players.