The Contribution of Some Kinematic Variables to the Effectiveness of the Straight Serve in Tennis

Abstract

The analysis of sports movements plays a significant role in improving athletic performance, as it helps in detecting many technical errors associated with performance. This allows athletes and coaches to enhance techniques by identifying strengths and weaknesses. The aim of this study is to identify the kinematic variables that contribute the most to the effectiveness of the straight serve in tennis and to predict the effectiveness of this skill based on certain kinematic variables. The researchers used a descriptive survey method on a sample of six young female tennis players. The study concluded that the variable of the peripheral velocity of the striking arm is the most contributing kinematic variable to the effectiveness of performance, with a contribution rate of 68%. This contribution increases to 78% when this variable is combined with the variable of hip height at the moment of hitting the ball. The researchers also derived two predictive regression equations for the effectiveness of the straight serve based on the most contributing kinematic variables. Several recommendations were made, the most important of which is the necessity of using the statistical equations derived to predict the effectiveness of the straight serve in tennis.