A087: Assessment of Table Tennis Stroke Effectiveness Using the Artificial Intelligence Technology-Based Algorithm

Spatial cognition facilitates the successful completion of specific cognitive tasks through lateral processing and neuroplasticity. Long-term training in table tennis induces neural processing efficiency in the visuospatial cognitive processing cortex of athletes. However, the lateralization characteristics and neural mechanisms of visual–spatial cognitive processing in table tennis players in non-sport domains are unclear. This study utilized event-related potentials to investigate differences in the spatial cognition abilities of regular college students (controls) and table tennis players. A total of 48 participants (28 controls; 20 s-level national table tennis players) completed spatial cognitive tasks while electroencephalography data were recorded. Task performance was better in the table tennis group than in the control group (reaction time: P < 0.001; correct number/sec: P = 0.043), P3 amplitude was greater in the table tennis group (P = 0.040), spatial cognition showed obvious lateralization characteristics (P < 0.001), table tennis players showed a more obvious right-hemisphere advantage, and the P3 amplitude in the right hemisphere was significantly greater in table tennis athletes than in the control group. (P = 0.044). Our findings demonstrate a right-hemisphere advantage in spatial cognition. Long-term training strengthened the visual–spatial processing ability of table tennis players, and this advantage effect was reflected in the neuroplasticity of the right hemisphere (the dominant hemisphere for spatial processing).

An interesting and little-reported problem in the literature is the scale of asymmetry in table tennis players, the magnitude of which should perhaps be treated as a risk for injury. Determining the degree of asymmetry in table tennis players can indicate the need to appropriately manage the training process, including compensatory or corrective exercises in the training program, especially since recent studies confirm that training interventions can reduce sporting asymmetries and improve performance. This study aimed to assess the amount of asymmetry in the trunk regarding the frontal plane and the difference between limb circumferences in female table tennis players compared to the control group (non-athletes). Twenty-two women took part in the study. Ten of them were table tennis professionals with an average training experience of 7±4.3 years (the exclusion criterion of the study was a minimum of 3 years of training experience). As a comparison group, the study included 12 female students who did not participate in competitive sports. Body posture was assessed in all subjects using equipment for computer analysis of asymmetry in the torso using the photogrammetric method. Additionally, all the subjects had their upper and lower limb circumferences measured. The results of the conducted research showed asymmetry in the frontal plane in the table tennis player group. As many as six parameters-regarding the pelvic rotation angle, angle of trunk inclination, the height of the angles of the lower shoulder blades and their distance from the spine, as well as the waist triangles, difference in the width and height of the waist triangles and the angle of trunk inclination-indicated asymmetry in this group but significantly differed from the control group (p≤0.05) only in the first parameter given above. The calculated differences in circumference between the right and left sides in the individual groups were statistically different in several cases (p≤0.05). This concerned the circumferences of the arms, forearms, elbows, and knees of table tennis players. The research carried out in this study allowed us to determine the occurrence of asymmetry in the frontal plane of the trunk and between the limbs of table tennis players. According to some studies, this may be a risk factor for injury. However, despite the lack of uniform views in the literature on the importance and threats resulting from asymmetries, it appears that, if only for aesthetic reasons, table tennis would require compensatory or corrective training aimed at developing symmetry of the body structure.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of center of pressure (COP) trajectory during table tennis topspin forehand loop between superior and intermediate players. Twenty-six male table tennis players with two different skilled level participated in this test. Novel Pedar insole plantar pressure measurement system was used to record COP displacement. Subjects were asked to perform crosscourt forehand loop against the topspin ball with maximal power. The motion was divided into two phases as backswing and forward swing. Compared to intermediate players, superior players showed significantly larger medial–lateral COP displacement at backward-end and significantly smaller anterior–posterior displacement at both backward and forward ends. In addition, the ratio of COP velocity between forward swing and backswing was much higher for superior subjects. Results indicated that superior players possessed better foot drive technique and ability of foot motion control during forehand loop. These characteristics are beneficial for coaches to develop special training schemes in improving forehand loop performance.

Total daily energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity level (PAL) are important for adequate nutritional management in athletes. The PAL of table tennis has been estimated to about 2.0: it is categorized as a moderateactivity sport (4.0 metabolic equivalents [METs]) in the Compendium of Physical Activities. However, modern table tennis makes high physiological demands. The aims of the current study were to examine (1) TEE and PAL of competitive table tennis players and (2) the physiological demands of various types of table tennis practice. In Experiment 1, we measured TEE and PAL in 10 Japanese college competitive table tennis players (aged 19.9 ± 1.1 years) using the doubly labeled water (DLW) method during training and with an exercise training log and self-reported energy intake. TEE was 15.5 ± 1.9 MJ·day-1 (3695 ± 449 kcal·day-1); PAL was 2.53 ± 0.25; and the average training duration was 181 ± 38 min·day-1. In Experiment 2, we measured METs of five different practices in seven college competition players (20.6 ± 1.2 years). Three practices without footwork were 4.5-5.2 METs, and two practices with footwork were 9.5-11.5 METs. Table tennis practices averaged 7.1 ± 3.2 METS demonstrating similarities with other vigorous racket sports. In conclusion the current Compendium of Physical Activities underestimates the physiological demands of table tennis practice for competition; the estimated energy requirement should be based on DLW method data.

ABSTRACTTalent detection intends to support lifelong sports participation, reduce dropouts and stimulate sports at the elite level. For this purpose it is important to reveal the specific profile which directs children to the sports that connect to their strengths and preferences. This study evaluated a perceptuomotor skills assessment as part of talent detection for table tennis, a sport in which perceptuomotor skills are considered essential to cope with the difficult technical aspects. Primary school children (n = 121) and gifted young table tennis players (n = 146) were assessed using the Dutch perceptuomotor skills assessment measuring “ball control” and “gross motor function”. A discriminant function analysis confirmed the added value by identifying primary school children fitting the table tennis perceptuomotor profile of the young gifted table tennis players (28%). General linear model analyses for the assessment’s individual test items showed that the table tennis players outperformed their primary school peers on all “ball control” items (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the assessment appears to be of added value for talent detection in table tennis at this young age. Longitudinal studies need to reveal the predictive value for sports participation and elite sports.

The attribute of speed serves the motor performance and gives it the required effectiveness, and the attributes of strength and speed together serve the motor performance so that it performs properly and effectively, thus the ability to score points in the shortest possible time and win against the competitor. The importance of the research lies in preparing special exercises to develop attention aspects and the forehand and backhand skills in table tennis for players according to the correct performance of the skill. From this standpoint, the researcher turned to this study, believing that these special exercises will contribute to developing the physical and skill levels of table tennis players. The research problem was noticed by the researchers through their previous experiences as practitioners of the game in the weakness of attention aspects among table tennis players. The researcher believes that the reason for this is that most coaches do not use modern devices during their training for skills, as they usually rely on traditional methods in implementing and teaching the skill to beginners. Therefore, the researcher decided to add some modern techniques during her study of this problem by trying to use special exercises to develop attention aspects and some table tennis skills for players. The research aims to prepare special exercises to develop attention aspects and some table tennis skills for players, and to identify the effect of special exercises in developing attention aspects and some table tennis skills for players, Conclusions, the results showed that there is a positive effect of special exercises in developing attention aspects (focus – transfer – distribution) among table tennis players aged (12-14) years. The results also showed that there is a positive effect of special exercises in developing some table tennis skills for players aged (12-14) years.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to evaluate technical skills of top male table tennis players in the world in 2017. Subjects used for this study were top four male table tennis players who got into the semifinal more times than other players during both 2017 International Table Tennis Professional Tour and World Table Tennis Championships. Data collected were analyzed statistically using percentage, regression, and assessment methods that were designed specially for table tennis. The following three points could be concluded: (1) From the overall technical analysis of four top players, it showed that they got the ‘pass’ grades in score percentage and usage of the three-staged techniques. Ma Long and Fan Zhendong in particular got the ‘excellent’ grades. Technical skills of these four top players were versatile. Their styles of play were unique; all of them received excellent in the evaluation of three-staged techniques. (2) ‘Attack after serve’ technique was the main technical skill used to play and score the points throughout the game by Ma Long and Fan Zhendong. Ovtcharov only got the ‘good’ grade in ‘attack after serve’, but got the ‘excellent’ grades in both ‘attack after receive’ and ‘rally’. Because of his excellent skill in ‘attack after receive’ and ‘rally’, he was well known in the field of table tennis throughout the world. Xu Xin got the ‘pass’ grade in ‘rally’. Even though Xu Xin showed excellent performance in three-staged techniques, he was no better than other players. In the future, Xu Xin should improve his stability and score percentage in ‘rally’ in order to get better results. (3) Serve, attack after serve using forehand stroke, attack after receive using backhand stroke, continuous forehand stroke attack, and continuous backhand stroke attack were the main technical skills which could be used to predict the result of the game for winning 2017 World Table Tennis Championships in men’s single event.

Table tennis players execute short explosive movements, along with continuous hip flexion, abduction, and rotation, increasing their risk of injury. Previous studies reported a rate of return to sports (RTS) of 20% to 80% in athletes following total hip arthroplasty (THA). There are no studies reporting RTS in table tennis players following THA. To evaluate the clinical outcomes and RTS following custom THA in professional, ex-professional, and recreational table tennis players. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Patients who underwent primary THA between April 2013 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed (n = 2977). Table tennis players of any level that received a custom femoral stem were included in the study (N = 17). At a minimum follow-up of 2 years, all players were assessed using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score, as well as with a sports-specific questionnaire that included questions related to their table tennis practice. Descriptive statistics, including medians and interquartile ranges, were used to summarize the data. All 17 players (22 hips) were available at ≥2 years, of which 3 were professional (5 hips), 4 were ex-professional (6 hips), and 10 were recreational (11 hips). The median OHS was 44.0 (IQR, 44.0-48.0) in professional, 48.0 (IQR, 48.0-48.0) in ex-professional, and 48.0 (IQR, 45.0-48.0) in recreational players. The median FJS was 92.0 (IQR, 88.0-98.0) in professional, 98.0 (IQR, 98.0-98.0) in ex-professional, and 100.0 (IQR, 93.0-100.0) in recreational players. The median UCLA activity score was 10.0 (IQR, 9.0-10.0) in professional, 9.0 (IQR, 9.0-9.8) in ex-professional, and 8.0 (IQR, 5.5-9.0) in recreational players. The rate of RTS was 100% for professional and ex-professional players, and 80% for recreational players. The hours played before onset of symptoms was higher than following surgery for professional (30.0 [IQR, 25.0-30.0] vs 20.0 [IQR, 16.0-22.5] h/week) and ex-professional players (19.5 [IQR, 11.0-29.3] vs 3.0 [IQR, 2.0-5.5] h/week), while it was constant for recreational players (4.0 [IQR, 2.3-4.0] vs 4.0 [IQR, 3.8-4.5] h/week). Our retrospective analysis demonstrated that at a minimum follow-up of 2 years THA using custom stems provided good to excellent clinical outcomes in professional, ex-professional, and recreational table tennis players. All professional and ex-professional players, as well as 80% of recreational players, were able to return to play table tennis, although both professional and ex-professional players reduced their number of hours of play compared with before surgery. These findings could be used to help set expectations for table tennis players who are scheduled to undergo THA.

Beginner table-tennis players require constant real-time feedback while learning the fundamental techniques. However, due to various constraints such as the mentor’s inability to be around all the time, expensive sensors and equipment for sports training, beginners are unable to get the immediate real-time feedback they need during training. Sensors have been widely used to train beginners and novices for various skills development, including psychomotor skills. Sensors enable the collection of multimodal data which can be utilised with machine learning to classify training mistakes, give feedback, and further improve the learning outcomes. In this paper, we introduce the Table Tennis Tutor (T3), a multi-sensor system consisting of a smartphone device with its built-in sensors for collecting motion data and a Microsoft Kinect for tracking body position. We focused on the forehand stroke mistake detection. We collected a dataset recording an experienced table tennis player performing 260 short forehand strokes (correct) and mimicking 250 long forehand strokes (mistake). We analysed and annotated the multimodal data for training a recurrent neural network that classifies correct and incorrect strokes. To investigate the accuracy level of the aforementioned sensors, three combinations were validated in this study: smartphone sensors only, the Kinect only, and both devices combined. The results of the study show that smartphone sensors alone perform sub-par than the Kinect, but similar with better precision together with the Kinect. To further strengthen T3’s potential for training, an expert interview session was held virtually with a table tennis coach to investigate the coach’s perception of having a real-time feedback system to assist beginners during training sessions. The outcome of the interview shows positive expectations and provided more inputs that can be beneficial for the future implementations of the T3.

The aim of this study was to identify the differences in body composition and physical fitness between children who played table tennis regularly during a two-year period compared to physically active children who were not engaged in a regular activity. Three hundred seventy-four children aged 10 to 11 years were divided into two groups: table tennis players (n = 109 boys and 73 girls) and physically active group (n = 88 boys and 104 girls). Anthropometric analysis included body mass index, skinfolds, perimeters and bone diameters. Somatotype and body composition were determined according to age-specific equations. Physical fitness assessment included hand grip dynamometry (strength), sit-and-reach test (range of movement) and maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test (cardiovascular fitness). The result show that children who regularly played table tennis had greater bone development and superior physical fitness compared to those who were physically active but not engaged in a regular physical activity. This is the largest study to date presenting data about the potential of table tennis to benefit health in children. These results constitute an important first step in clarifying the effectiveness of table tennis as a health-promotion strategy to encourage children to undertake regular physical activity and limit sedentary behavior.

The major racket sports include badminton, squash, table tennis and tennis. The growth of sports science and the commercialization of racket sports in recent years have focused attention on improved performance and this has led to a more detailed study and understanding of all aspects of racket sports. The aim here, therefore, is to review recent developments of the application of science to racket sports. The scientific disciplines of sports physiology and nutrition, notational analysis, sports biomechanics, sports medicine, sports engineering, sports psychology and motor skills are briefly considered in turn. It is evident from these reviews that a great deal of scientific endeavour has been applied to racket sports, but this is variable across both the racket sports and the scientific disciplines. A scientific approach has helped to: implement training programmes to improve players’ fitness; guide players in nutritional and psychological preparation for play; inform players of the strategy and tactics used by themselves and their opponents; provide insight into the technical performance of skills; understand the effect of equipment on play; and accelerate the recovery from racket-arm injuries. Racket sports have also posed a unique challenge to scientists and have provided vehicles for developing scientific methodology. Racket sports provide a good model for investigating the interplay between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism and the effect of nutrition, heat and fatigue on performance. They have driven the development of mathematical solutions for multi-segment interactions within the racket arm during the performance of shots, which have contributed to our understanding of the mechanisms of both performance and injury. They have provided a unique challenge to sports engineers in relation to equipment performance and interaction with the player. Racket sports have encouraged developments in notational analysis both in terms of analytical procedures and the conceptualization of strategy and tactics. Racket sports have provided a vehicle for investigating fast interceptive actions, hand-eye coordination and perception-action coupling in the field of motor control. In conclusion, science has contributed considerably to our knowledge and understanding of racket sports, and racket sports have contributed to science by providing unique challenges to researchers.

BACKGROUNDShoulder is the most injured part in table tennis players, and it takes multiple roles in transmitting power and striking the center of the ball during the stroke. Proprioception is strongly correlated with high level of athletic performance. It is customary to assume that there is a correlation between proprioception and muscle strength and therefore proprioceptive assessment and rehabilitation is often neglected.AIMTo investigate the correlation between isokinetic muscle strength and proprioception in the internal and external rotation muscle groups of elite Chinese male table tennis players, to provide reference for physical training and rehabilitation of elite table tennis players.METHODSA total of 19 national elite table tennis players from the Chinese National Table Tennis Team were recruited in this research. All of them had more than 10 years training experience and had participated major competitions such as the National Games and World Youth Championships. IsoMed 2000 was used to test the peak torque of internal and external rotation isokinetic concentric contraction of the athletes' bilateral shoulder joints at low speed (60°/s) and high speed (180°/s) respectively; IsoMed 2000 was used to conduct the Joint Position Reproduction test to evaluate the athletes' proprioceptive ability capacity at low speed (60°/s) and high speed (180°/s) respectively. If the data satisfied the normal distribution, the correlation between the differences in peak torque s and angles in different directions was analyzed using a Pearson simple linear model; otherwise, Spearman correlation analysis was used. The comparison of proprioceptive ability between the table tennis racket-holding hand and non-racket-holding hands was performed using independent samples t-test if the data satisfied a normal distribution; otherwise, the Mann-Whitney U test was used.RESULTSThere was no direct linear correlation between the strength and proprioceptive correlation analysis at slow speed (60°/s) and fast speed (180°/s) in the racket-holding hand; At the slow speed (60°/s) and fast speed (180°/s), there was no correlation between muscle strength and proprioception in the non-racket-holding hand except for the internal rotation variable error (VE) and external rotation relative peak torque, which showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.477, P < 0.05), (r = 0.554, P < 0.05). The internal rotation’s constant error (CE) and VE were 1.06 ± 3.99 and 2.94 ± 2.16, respectively, for the racket-holding hand, and -3.36 ± 2.39 and 1.22 ± 0.93, respectively, for the non-racket-holding hand; the internal rotation’s CE, VE of the racket-holding hand was lower than that of the non-racket-holding hand, and there was a highly significant difference (P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONThere was no correlation between muscle strength and proprioceptive function in the internal and external rotation of the racket-holding hand’s shoulder in elite Chinese male table tennis players. These results may be useful for interventions for shoulder injuries and for the inclusion of proprioceptive training in rehabilitation programs.

The purpose of this study was to examine the field perception and outcome of competition in order to promote training and competition effects in table tennis players. Using convenient sampling, this study sampled data from 50 players of men's single table tennis from the 2015 Taiwan Collegiate Games. This study recorded every match and asked players to complete the field perception after competition. With χ^2 and logistic regression analysis, this study found the following results: (1) there was a significant relationship between field perception and outcome of competition in pre-serve; (2) during the tie situation, field perception was correlated with competition outcome; (3) the field perception after outcome of a score was correlated with next score; and (4) field perception shown to promote sport performance in table tennis players. This study concludes that the field perception in pre-serve, tie situation and outcome of last score were significantly correlated with the next score. These results indicate that field perception is beneficial to competition outcome for the table tennis players. This study suggests table tennis players and coaches should strengthen positive field perception in competition to produce more positive perception under critical conditions, which certainly help to improve the performance and win the competitions.

Background Table tennis presented a unique and accessible sport for people of all ages, particularly seniors compared to other sports. Methods This study utilized a quantitative with 136 Table tennis players those who registered for attending in the Thailand Master Table tennis Championships 2024 which hosted in January 2024 at Chiangmai. The questionnaire based on the measurement quality of life, WHOQOL Thai version, and analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation. Results Pearson correlation coefficients between the scores of the quality of life in four dimensions and the overall score revealed significant correlations (p &lt; 0.01) with all dimensions, including physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health. Conclusions Playing Table tennis for senior in the tournament level helped to improve the quality of life in all domains.

We have conducted a research in order to clarify a movement of a top table tennis player using DLT method. We have tried to obtain basic data such as time intervals of various playing, times of shots, playing area, distance of movement and so on to plan a training program of a movement for table tennis.The objects of analysis were 5 games of YOO Nam Kyu, who was the SEOUL Olympic champion, in the 9th ASIAN Table Tennis Championships in Japan. The games were filmed at 60 frames/second with 6 VTR cameras which were installed at separate locations in the gymnasium. For the purpose of this analysis, the various time intervals are defined as follows: In-play Time was from the initial movement of the service to final contact with the ball during play. It is acknowledged that this definition differs slightly from the official ITTF regurations for “ball in play” time. Rally Time was from contact with the ball on service to final contact with the ball during play. Service Time was from the initial movement of the service to contact with the ball on service. Waiting Time was from one player's contact with the ball to the other player's contact.Two-dimensional coordinates on a TV monitor were computed with a VTR motion analyzer connected to a personal computer. These coordinates were then converted to real (X-Y-Z) coordinates using DLT method. The position of the player was estimated from the coordinates of the player's head (vertex), center of shoulders (acromions), center of hips (trochanterions) and center of ankles (malleolus fibulae points). Distance of movement and velocity of movement were computed for every body point in several directions; right to left and forward to backward (in relation to the table), and up to down. Distance of movement was a line that links the position of the player every 0.1 sec during Rally-time. Velocity of movement was calculated by dividing distance of movement by Rally-time for each rally.The results and findings are summarized as follows;1) Mean total In-play time was 144.63±27.69 sec (±SD). This represented about 20-30% of the games of which average was 611.75±33.50 sec long, meaning that about 70-80% of the games was excess time spent doing such things as picking up the ball or wiping off perspiration.2) Mean Service Time, Mean Rally Time, Mean In-play Time and Mean Waiting Time was 1.05±0.37 sec, 2.56±1.79 sec, 3.60±1.83 sec and 0.66±0.19 sec, respectively. This represented about 30% of In-play Time was Service Time and about 70% of it was Rally Time.3) Mean times of shots during 1 rally was 4.61±2.12. The distribution of times of shots during 1 rally showed that in the case of 74.6% of all rally, a player won or lost a point in 5 shots.4) The playing area for YOO was positioned at the side of his free hand in 4 games. In 1 game, it was positioned at the side of his racket hand. His main stroke of the game was different from previous 4 games.5) In each game, the distance of movement for YOO on a horizontal plane during Rally Time was between about 100m and 200m at the center of the ankles. And mean distance of movement for YOO on a horizontal plane during 1 rally was between about 3.5m and 4.0m at the center of the ankles. In the table tennis games, the player's repeated acceleration and deceleration in various directions was instantaneous.6) In each game, mean average velocity of movement for YOO on a horizontal plane during 1 rally was between 0.85m/sec and 1.08m/sec at the head, 0.90m/sec and 1.05m/sec at the center of the shoulders, 0.99m/sec and 1.18m/sec at the center of the hips and 1.36m/sec and 1.51m/sec at the center of the ankles.7) It seems that these new data and findings are very important to plan an efficient training program for table tennis coaches and players.