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[dangermouse]

Physio Advice - Andy Ireland (Lead Physio - LTA)

Tennis serve is the most powerful stroke in tennis and therefore potentially the most stressful on the body. The action involves linking and transferring the kinetic energy from the feet (ground reaction force) through the different body segments (knees, hips, trunks, shoulder, girdle, elbow and wrist) to generate maximum racket speed.
It is generally accepted among tennis biomechanists that this force generation starts from the ground upwards. Hence, if your feet are positioned incorrectly the forces generated can place excessive torque and stress on the body, particularly on the spine. Even with the correct foot placement, changing your serve action will alter the way in which these forces are transferred through the trunk. It should be remembered that even in this new serve action is more effective from performance perspective, it may not always be best for the body if it places excessive stress on it. It's therefore important to find an action that is both effective and safe.
As can be seen by the variety of different serve styles used by professional players on the circuit, there is no right or wrong way to serve - it's whatever works for you. Because of the complex biomechanics and individuality of the serve action it's difficult to comment on your particular action without observing it, however, a few general principles do apply. The three planes of motion of force generation in the trunk are extension into flexion, side flexion (shoulder over shoulder) and rotation. By coupling these motions in a coordinated and timed fashion, together with the action in the legs and arms, the maximum force can be generated. The different types of serve action involve slightly different biomechanics, for example, the kick serve requires more lumbar extension and therefore creates more compression forces on the vertebra of the spine. By moving your contact point from, say, 12 o'clock to a 1 o'clock position would presumably be moving your contact point to a more biomechanically advatageous position. I there is an underlying weakness in the spine, the overloading can result in pain.
Traditionally, right handed players are stronger in the right spinal extensors (erector spinae muscles) and this can often be seen by observing over-development of these muscles. Any excessive loading could therefore present itself in the weaker, less protected left side. It's also worth remembering that if you chnage your technique and practised it very intensely, the problem might be partly an overload phenomenon, where if you introduced the new movement patterns more gradually your body might adapt better to the changes and stay pain free.

[Addie_56ers]

DM yan ang problem ko  pag naka 2 games ako  di ko na ma bend backwards likod ko masakit na  hehe ano yon old age na? hehe

[Darkwing]

Nice article DM. Thanks for sharing

[Mordecai]

I don't see the advice.  Can somebody point out to me where the advise is on strengthening the lower back in those paragraphs?  I must be going blind.  It would help kasi sakit ko rin to kahit na medyo bata pa kami ni Mang Addie. 

[Nadale]

DM yan ang problem ko  pag naka 2 games ako  di ko na ma bend backwards likod ko masakit na  hehe ano yon old age na? hehe

Sir Addie, palagay ko old age na yun sa case mo hehehehe 

[Ace]

Problem ko rin eto hehe.  I think dahil pag nag toss ako ng ball pag second serve sa 12 oclock ko nilalagay.  Pero nawawala naman after ko i-stretch at i exercise. 

[jov]

Physio Advice - Andy Ireland (Lead Physio - LTA)

Tennis serve is the most powerful stroke in tennis and therefore potentially the most stressful on the body. The action involves linking and transferring the kinetic energy from the feet (ground reaction force) through the different body segments (knees, hips, trunks, shoulder, girdle, elbow and wrist) to generate maximum racket speed.
It is generally accepted among tennis biomechanists that this force generation starts from the ground upwards. Hence, if your feet are positioned incorrectly the forces generated can place excessive torque and stress on the body, particularly on the spine. Even with the correct foot placement, changing your serve action will alter the way in which these forces are transferred through the trunk. It should be remembered that even in this new serve action is more effective from performance perspective, it may not always be best for the body if it places excessive stress on it. It's therefore important to find an action that is both effective and safe.
As can be seen by the variety of different serve styles used by professional players on the circuit, there is no right or wrong way to serve - it's whatever works for you. Because of the complex biomechanics and individuality of the serve action it's difficult to comment on your particular action without observing it, however, a few general principles do apply. The three planes of motion of force generation in the trunk are extension into flexion, side flexion (shoulder over shoulder) and rotation. By coupling these motions in a coordinated and timed fashion, together with the action in the legs and arms, the maximum force can be generated. The different types of serve action involve slightly different biomechanics, for example, the kick serve requires more lumbar extension and therefore creates more compression forces on the vertebra of the spine. By moving your contact point from, say, 12 o'clock to a 1 o'clock position would presumably be moving your contact point to a more biomechanically advatageous position. I there is an underlying weakness in the spine, the overloading can result in pain.
Traditionally, right handed players are stronger in the right spinal extensors (erector spinae muscles) and this can often be seen by observing over-development of these muscles. Any excessive loading could therefore present itself in the weaker, less protected left side. It's also worth remembering that if you chnage your technique and practised it very intensely, the problem might be partly an overload phenomenon, where if you introduced the new movement patterns more gradually your body might adapt better to the changes and stay pain free.

thnx for posting this topic bro dm!

[clyde_aya]

I am experiencing rib (back) pain for 3 days. I was thinking where I got it. Pero I think nakuha ko yun due to serving. Probably due to my long backswing on my service motion. I am even thinking na I cracked a rib! Kasi everytime na I turn sideways, merong akong mild pain na nararamdaman. I don't know how to treat it. Hingi naman tips. And I am only 17 years old! Ayoko pa magka problema sa likod!

[junbug]

kailangan n'yo diyan ang exercise program na P90X. 

[burosky]

I am experiencing rib (back) pain for 3 days. I was thinking where I got it. Pero I think nakuha ko yun due to serving. Probably due to my long backswing on my service motion. I am even thinking na I cracked a rib! Kasi everytime na I turn sideways, merong akong mild pain na nararamdaman. I don't know how to treat it. Hingi naman tips. And I am only 17 years old! Ayoko pa magka problema sa likod!

Ano pa ang hinihintay mo?  Punta ka na sa duktor.  Maiging magamot agad yan bago lumala.  Kapag pinabayaan mo yan baka maging chronic.  Malaking pagsisi kapag nangyari yan.  Walang pinipiling edad yan.

[Addie_56ers]

I am experiencing rib (back) pain for 3 days. I was thinking where I got it. Pero I think nakuha ko yun due to serving. Probably due to my long backswing on my service motion. I am even thinking na I cracked a rib! Kasi everytime na I turn sideways, merong akong mild pain na nararamdaman. I don't know how to treat it. Hingi naman tips. And I am only 17 years old! Ayoko pa magka problema sa likod!

Ano pa ang hinihintay mo?  Punta ka na sa duktor.  Maiging magamot agad yan bago lumala.  Kapag pinabayaan mo yan baka maging chronic.  Malaking pagsisi kapag nangyari yan.  Walang pinipiling edad yan.

 Nakow!!! yan din problema ko ... pag matagal na nag seserve!!!   may Celebrex naman pag matutulog na... para makalaro uli kinabukasan

[junbug]

slim down. when your tummy is bigger than your chest. the extra weight puts enormous pressure on your lower back. para kang buntis na hindi. bawasan ang timbang. there are exercises to help strengthen your lower back. also check and see if your flatfooted. if you are, buy a pair of arch supports. this will help alleviate the back pain as well. what the arch support does it keeps your wheels (feet) in alignment. when your feet are in alignment everything else follows naturally.

[Addie_56ers]

slim down. when your tummy is bigger than your chest. the extra weight puts enormous pressure on your lower back. para kang buntis na hindi. bawasan ang timbang. there are exercises to help strengthen your lower back. also check and see if your flatfooted. if you are, buy a pair of arch supports. this will help alleviate the back pain as well. what the arch support does it keeps your wheels (feet) in alignment. when your feet are in alignment everything else follows naturally.

 Thanks Junbug ..for the tips

[Tennis_Guy]

http://www.nismat.org/orthocor/programs/lowback/backex.html#Ex1

Remember that the lower back is part of your core muscles.  It is better to workout your lower back and also strengthen your abdominals at the same time.  Much of lower back pains are attributed to a slack in abdominal muscles because it is what supports our lower backs. 

 

[mirage]

http://www.tennis.com/articles/templates/fitness.aspx?articleid=827&zoneid=19

here's an article from tennis.com on training your back muscles.

[SportsAdiktus]

problem ko din tong lower back pain. siguro dahil I put too much effort sa serve pero rest lang naman katapat and after 1 day of rest, ok na ulit!

[PRO-porma]

hmmm..ako d q mxado naeexperience to kasi hnd naman ako xado nagbebend even knee bend sa serve ko eh pero ang husay nug article

[racketwiz]

I find that sex is always a good activity to strengthen your lower back.

[daryl]

I find that sex is always a good activity to strengthen your lower back.

amen to that

[SportsAdiktus]

2 thumbs up din ako dito.     

I find that sex is always a good activity to strengthen your lower back.

[alvinrex01]

strengtening abdominal muscles can prevent lower back pain

[SportsAdiktus]

sit-ups ba pwede na alvinrex01?

strengtening abdominal muscles can prevent lower back pain

[alvinrex01]

sit-ups ba pwede na alvinrex01?

strengtening abdominal muscles can prevent lower back pain

uu pede sit ups kaya lang for prevention lang sya eh

[racketwiz]

A good exercise to strengthen your lower back (aside from sex  ), is the Superman.  This is complementary to exercises that strengthen the abdominals and obliques.

[Darkwing]

Core Exercises:

Superman
Bridge
Metronome
Plank
Side Plank

Kakatamad lang gawin.

[skywalker_1701]

Yup nakakatamad gawin ang core exercises pero sex always on the go! 

[SportsAdiktus]

racketwiz, meron bang exercise na pwedeng gawin sa bahay at di na kelangan pumunta ng gym?

A good exercise to strengthen your lower back (aside from sex  ), is the Superman.  This is complementary to exercises that strengthen the abdominals and obliques.

[Darkwing]

SA:

All the exercises I previously mentioned can be done in your own home. All you need is a mat to lie on.

[SportsAdiktus]

ok. hehe! thanks Darkwing. 

SA:

All the exercises I previously mentioned can be done in your own home. All you need is a mat to lie on.

[tenmirage]

nakalimutan nyo yata 'yung massage...

ako pag medjo napagod o nasobrahan ang laro masahe agad. sa physiotherapist ha. hindi yung sa massage parlor ... pero tutal puede na rin kasi baka matuloy sa s.e.x. gamot di n yun di ba?