Personality Traits and Motives in Table Tennis Players Marchese, Filippo; Malagoli Lanzoni, Ivan; Steca, Patrizia
International journal of environmental research and public health,
08/2022, Letnik:
19, Številka:
17
Journal Article
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This study aims to investigate table tennis players' personality traits and motives in the frame of the Big Five personality model and the self-determination theory (SDT) of motivation. A total of ...447 Italian table tennis players ranging in level of play between the regional and international levels participated in the study. They completed a self-report questionnaire measuring their personality traits and motives to play table tennis. Findings showed conscientiousness as the most distinctive trait of table tennis players. No differences were detected between elite and non-elite players. Table tennis players are mainly motivated by factors belonging to the intrinsic pole of the self-determination motivational continuum. External reinforcements represent a minimal incentive to play this sport both for elite and non-elite athletes. The current findings help clarify the relationships between personality traits, playing certain types of sports, and achieving different performance levels. We conclude by outlining implications for applied sport psychology.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the recovery response of one resistance training session (1TRS) vs. two resistance training sessions (2TRS) performed in 1 day, on upper body ...performance, muscle morphology and muscle soreness in trained men. Methods: Twenty-four resistance trained men were randomly assigned into a 1TRS group (N = 12; age = 25.0 ± 2.4 years; body mass = 87.6 ± 14.0 kg; height = 177.1 ± 4.9 cm) or into a 2TRS group (N = 10; age = 24.4 ± 1.6 years; body mass = 81.1 ± 5.6 kg; height = 176.6 ± 6.7 cm). 1TRS performed one training session involving eight sets of 10 reps at 70% of 1RM at the bench press, while 2TRS group divided the same training volume in two workouts, with a recovery time of 4 hr. Performance bench press throw power (BTP) and isometric bench press (IBP) and muscle thickness of pectoralis major (PECMT) were assessed at baseline (BL), 15-min, 24-hr and 48-hr post-exercise. Results:
Training intensity was significantly higher in 2TRS compared to 1TRS (p < .001). Faster recovery rates were detected for BTP (p = .039) and PECMT (p = .05) in 2TRS compared to 1TRS. Both BTP and PECMT were significantly more affected (p < .05) in 1TRS than in 2TRS at 24 h. Conclusions:
Results indicate that the recovery process may be accelerated by splitting a high resistance training volume into two different training sessions performed in 1 day.
Background: The identification of gender differences in kinematics and coordination of movement in different body segments in sports may improve the training process by emphasizing the necessity of ...its differentiation, and consequently individualization, developing, and improving the technique in women and men. Indicating differences can also help in determining the risk of injury in order to prevent from them by diversifying training programs. However, there is no information regarding this problem in the existing literature pertaining to table tennis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the differences in the values of selected angular and kinematic parameters during topspin forehand and topspin backhand shots between male and female table tennis players. Methods: Six male and six female advanced table tennis players performed topspin forehand and topspin backhand shots, both receiving a backspin ball. The angular parameters in four events (ready position, backswing, maximum acceleration, and forward) at chosen joints as well as the maximal acceleration of the playing hand were measured, using the myoMotion system, and were compared between male and female players. Results: Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found in the magnitude of angular parameters and maximum hand acceleration between men and women. The movement pattern of topspin strokes performed by men takes into account, more than that in the case of women, movements that use large muscle groups and large joints (hip joints, trunk joints, shoulder joints in extension, and flexion). The difference in the values of maximal acceleration reached almost 50 m/s2 in topspin forehand (p < 0.01) and 20 m/s2 in backhand (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Differentiation of movement patterns can be a manifestation of movement optimization due to anthropological differences and limitations. The differences in the values of maximal acceleration suggest that women could use both sides to perform a topspin attack against the backspin ball, while men should seek opportunities to make a stronger shot with a forehand topspin.
The aim of the present study was to compare the biomechanical characteristics of the table tennis top spin shot when played cross-court (CC) or long-line (LL) in competitive table tennis players. ...Seven national level players respectively completed 10 long-line and 10 cross-court top spin shots responding to a standard ball machine. A stereophotogrammetric system was used to track body segments while executing the motion. Significantly more flexed right knee and elbow angles were measured at the moment of maximum velocity of the racket (MMV) in LL. In addition, significantly greater angles between the feet and the table and between the shoulders and the table at the MMV, indicated more pronounced rotation angles of the lower upper and upper-body in LL compared to CC with respect to the table. A higher inclination of the racket at the MMV was found in LL. The elbow flexion and the racket inclination may be associated to the direction of the shot. The present findings show that kinematic differences exist between the LL and the CC topspin forehand in competitive table tennis players. Coaches should be aware of these differences to adopt the optimal teaching strategies and to reproduce proper joint angles during training.
This study aimed to analyse selected shot characteristics in top-level table tennis matches, with a special focus on comparing the playing style of Asian and European players. Ten men's matches ...played by 20 top-ranked players (14 Asians and 6 Europeans) were analysed. The indicators examined were the area of ball bouncing for serves (n =918), and the stroke type, footwork type and shot outcome for other shots (n=3692). The interrelationships between variables were analysed using chi-squared tests, log-linear modelling and multiple correspondence analysis. A strong association was found between strokes and footwork types, with most stroke types executed each after specific footwork types. Furthermore, a clear tendency to have a positive, negative or neutral outcome was observed for each stroke type. When compared to Europeans, Asians used more frequently the most aggressive strokes and footwork types, confirming anecdotal claims on their particularly offensive playing style. Asians showed also a better serving effectiveness, often sending the ball in those areas of the table from which a counterattack is difficult to make. In summary, this study gives a systematic description of highly relevant technical and tactical characteristics in top-level table tennis, thus providing valuable information for coaches and performance analysts.
The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the acute responses on muscle architecture, electromechanical delay (EMD) and performance following a high volume (HV: 5 sets of 10 reps at 70% ...of 1 repetition maximum (1RM)) and a high intensity (HI: 5 sets of 3 reps at 90% of 1RM) bench press protocol in women. Eleven recreationally trained women (age = 23.3 ± 1.8 y; body weight = 59.7 ± 6.0 kg; height = 164.0 ± 6.3 cm) performed each protocol in a counterbalanced randomized order. Muscle thickness of pectoral (PEC MT) and triceps muscles (TR MT) were collected prior to and 15 min post each trial. In addition, EMD of pectoral (PEC EMD) and triceps (TR EMD) muscles were calculated during isometric bench press maximum force tests performed at the same timepoints (IBPF). Significantly greater increases in PEC MT (
< 0.001) and TR MT (
< 0.001) were detected following HV compared to HI. PEC EMD showed a significantly greater increase following HV compared to HI (
= 0.039). Results of the present study indicate that the HV bench press protocol results in greater acute morphological and neuromuscular changes compared to a HI protocol in women. Evaluations of muscle morphology and electromechanical delay appear more sensitive to fatigue than maximum isometric force assessments.
The aim of the study was to compare the recovery response and muscle oxygenation of a blood-flow restriction resistance exercise (BFR) session with high HP: 80% of the arterial occlusion pressure ...(AOP) and low cuff pressure (LP: 40% of AOP). Both exercise sessions included 4 sets to failure at the barbell preacher curl exercise. Twelve resistance trained men (27.4 ± 5.0 years; 83.5 ± 11.6 kg; 176.6 ± 7.0 cm) performed each protocol in a counterbalanced, randomized order. Maximal isometric force, muscle morphology and muscle soreness of the biceps brachii muscle were assessed at baseline, 15-min, 60-min and 24-h post each testing session. In addition, muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) was assessed during each training session. A lower number of repetitions (p = 0.013) was detected in HP compared to LP. A lower SmO2 (p < 0.001) was detected in the recovery time between the sets in HP (mean: 47.6 ± 15.7%) compared to LP (mean: 68.9 ± 7.2%). No differences between the two trials (p > 0.05) were noted for isometric force, muscle architecture and soreness at any timepoint. Results indicate that, despite a high cuff pressure may induce a more hypoxic condition compared to a lower cuff pressure, recovery responses may not be affected.
Microsaccades are important fixation eye movements for visual scene perception. Compared to novices, athletes make fewer fixations of longer duration toward limited interest areas crucial for action ...prediction. Thus, our aim was to study the microsaccade features during those fixations. Gaze behaviour of expert and novice table tennis players was recorder during a task in which subjects were instructed to predict the direction of the ball after the opponent's throw. Three interest areas from the opponent's body and one from the ball trajectory were identified. We analysed correctness of predictions, fixations, microsaccades and saccades to estimate the relationship between eye movements toward interest areas and success in the task. Compared to novices, experts fixated more on hand-racket during forehand and on trunk during backhand drive technique. Longer fixations on hand-racket and trunk were associated with higher microsaccade rate with a narrower directional distribution of them. It probably means that athletes focused their gaze on these small areas, suggesting enhanced attention mainly to them, and fewer consideration for the surrounding regions. We can assume that microsaccade rate and average direction could be related to the salience of interest areas during performance.
Paralympic table tennis is the third largest paralympic sport for the number of players. Performance analysis was conducted for the rally duration and interval and impact of serve, whilst none ...investigated the shots distribution among classes of physical impairment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a notational analysis of international competitions in relation to the wheelchair classes. Five matches for each wheelchair class (C1-to-C5) were evaluated from 20 elite male right-handed players. Both players for each match were analyzed for the following performance indicators: strokes type, the area of ball bouncing, and the shots outcome. Backhand shots were the most used technique for all classes. The most used strokes for C1 players were backhand and forehand drive and backhand lob, while for C5 players they were backhand and forehand push and backhand topspin. Similar shots distribution was registered for C2-to-C5 players. The central and far-from-the-net zone was mainly reached by the serve for all classes. Errors shots were similar in all classes, whilst winning shots were more frequent in C1. The current notational analysis provided a meaningful performance modelling of indicators for coaches and athletes that can be used to design training programs for each class.