Kinematic Analysis of Para Table Tennis Players’ Movement Dynamics in Response to Alternating Directional Ball Feeds

This study investigated the kinematic characteristics of center of mass (CoM) movement in elite standing para table tennis players during a controlled 20-ball displacement speed test, focusing on displacement, velocity, acceleration, and jerk as indicators of movement coordination and control. Twenty-one national-level athletes (classes 6–11) performed alternating forehand and backhand strokes while three-dimensional motion analysis captured CoM trajectories. The primary aim was to characterize directional CoM kinematics, and the secondary aim was to examine associations with functional ability, stroke accuracy, and expert-rated technical performance. Results indicated that the range of CoM displacement was largest in the medio-lateral direction, reflecting the sport-specific demands of side-to-side repositioning, while mean displacement did not differ significantly between the medio-lateral and antero-posterior axes. Similarly, velocity, acceleration, and jerk ranges were greatest laterally, highlighting the dynamic requirements of lateral movement. Correlation analyses revealed no statistically significant associations between CoM metrics and functional ability, stroke accuracy, or expert-rated performance after Bonferroni correction, though exploratory trends suggested that higher-functioning athletes may exhibit greater lateral displacement. Jerk, as a measure of movement smoothness, did not systematically differentiate performance or functional class. These findings underscore the predominance of lateral CoM control in para table tennis and provide a biomechanical basis for training interventions aimed at improving lateral stability, coordination, and functional efficiency.