Spatiotemporal features of shots and their impact on return error in table tennis

Table tennis is often played under substantial temporal constraints, likely attributable to its small playing area and high ball speeds. However, the magnitude of this pressure and its link to return errors remain unclear. This study aimed to quantify the temporal pressure in elite table tennis matches and examined its spatiotemporal determinants—inter-stroke interval, ball speed, and hitting position—and their impact on return error. A total of 7874 strokes from 13 male and 17 female professional singles matches were analyzed. Ball trajectories were reconstructed using computer vision, and inter-stroke intervals were then calculated based on the reconstructed trajectories. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine how these variables and their interactions influenced return errors. Results showed that shorter inter-stroke intervals and higher ball speeds significantly increased return error rates, supporting the speed–accuracy trade-off under time pressure. Ball speed had an independent effect even when the inter-stroke interval was controlled. Hitting position contributed to inter-stroke interval estimation but had minimal direct effect on return outcomes. Despite sex differences in shot speed and positioning, inter-stroke intervals were similar. In summary, temporal pressure plays a quantifiable role in elite table tennis, and players tend to increase it through ball speed rather than positioning.