The importance of the kinetic-chain base in the forehand stroke of (sub)elite wheelchair and able-bodied tennis players

In overhead sports, generating high movement velocities relies on a solid base of support that facilitates efficient energy transfer through the kinetic chain. This mechanism is also likely fundamental to forehand performance in tennis. Therefore, this study examined how the kinetic-chain base influences forehand performance (ball speed, ball spin rate, and ball bounce accuracy) in (sub-)elite wheelchair and able-bodied tennis players. Fifteen able-bodied (mean age 23.2 ± 5.9 years) and 15 wheelchair tennis players (mean age 25.0 ± 7.5 years), participated in this experimental study. Participants performed forehands from different starting positions to induce variability in peak angular velocities (PAVs) along body segments of the kinetic chain. On-court performance outcomes were assessed using a multi-camera tracking system. Pelvis/wheelchair and trunk PAVs, measured with inertial measurement units, were entered as predictors of forehand performance in regression analyses using generalised estimated equations. A one-radian-per-second increase in pelvis/wheelchair and trunk PAV resulted in a significant increase in ball speed (0.5 m·s−1 and 0.2–0.7 m·s−1, respectively), independent of ball bounce accuracy. No significant associations were observed between pelvis/wheelchair or trunk PAV and ball spin rate.