Gender differences in coping among elite table tennis players

: The current study investigates the relationship between simple reaction time, choice reaction time, and eye-hand coordination with peripheral vision in elite female table tennis players. Ten female table tennis players of the Iranian national team with a mean age of 19.7 ± 5.964, in the 18th Asian Games of 2018, Jakarta, participated via convenience sampling. The visual field was evaluated with the Humphrey automated perimetry. Choice and simple reaction time were assessed using Deary-Liewald reaction time tester software. In order to measure eye-hand coordination, the manual test of alternate-hand wall toss was used. Data were analyzed in statistical package for the social sciences using Pearson’s correlation. The results show that there was no significant relationship between simple and choice reaction time with peripheral vision in the left and right eyes. Also, results show that there was no significant relationship between eye-hand coordination with peripheral vision in the left and right eyes (P ≤ 0.05). The findings of this study show that experts in an activity visually searched their environment and located essential information more effectively and efficiently than novices. Therefore, we know that this visual feature is more a function of expertise than visual acuity.

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 aim of this study was to examine the relationship between cognitive competitive anxiety intensity and coping strategies in table tennis players. One hundred and two (102) US competitive table tennis players of age range from 10 to 60 filled out a Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R, Cox et al., 2003) at least 30 minutes before the start of their tournament match and a Modified Cope questionnaire (MCOPE; Crocker and Graham, 1995) 15 minutes after they finished their match. Our study found significant differences between low and high cognitive competitive anxiety groups with regard to the use of coping strategies. The high cognitive competitive anxiety intensity group used significantly more behavioral disengagement (avoidance coping, p ≤ 0.05), denial coping strategies (emotion focused coping, p ≤ 0.01) compared to the low cognitive anxiety intensity group. Our results suggest that there is some connection between anxiety intensity and coping strategies. If the cognitive anxiety intensity (for example, intensity from worrying) is very high, an athlete might be more likely to use avoidance coping (such as behavioral disengagement) and emotion-focused coping (such as denial and venting of emotions) compared to athletes who have low cognitive competitive anxiety. Furthermore, gender differences in cognitive anxiety and direction were found. Confidence management techniques such as positive self-talk, breathing techniques and visualization should be taught to athletes to assist them in coping with their competitive anxiety better and to enhance their performance.

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.

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).

This study constructed a technique effectiveness evaluation formula for table tennis players based on the relationship between the scoring rate and usage rate of techniques and established the evaluation criteria through the examination of 224 matches of the world's top 35 players. It also built a competition performance formula with the score difference theory for the exploration of the correlation between player technique effectiveness and competition performance. The results showed the three indices – the technique effectiveness of the first and third strokes (TE1,3), the second and fourth strokes (TE2,4) and the after fourth strokes (TE>4) – could help better evaluate the technique effectiveness of elite players. The comparative analysis of Chinese elite table tennis players and players from other countries and regions revealed that Chinese players as a whole were “excellent” in all the examined techniques except in the male's “first and third strokes”; while players from other countries and regions were overall “general”. The case analysis of two world top players further indicated that correlation analysis of technique effectiveness and competition performance could help identify the technique indices highly correlated with player competition performance.

To explore the relationship between social support and occupational stress. A cross-sectional survey involving 654 career people from different industries was conducted. Social support, the occupational stressors, personalities, and occupational strain were measured by using Occupational Stress Instrument. The people from different occupations got different level of social support. Social support scores were significantly positively related to interpersonal relation, responsibility for people, responsibility for thing, advancement and participation, task identity, training adequacy, challenge, autonomy, job satisfaction, mental health, affective ambulance, positive emotion, self-esteem and coping strategy (P<0.05 or P<0.01), negatively to careers, role conflict, role ambiguity, job future ambiguity, negative emotion, depression symptoms, daily life stress and work locus of control scores (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The scores of interpersonal relation, responsibility for people, responsibility for thing, advancement and participation, task identity, training adequacy, challenge, autonomy, job satisfaction, mental health, affective ambulance, positive emotion, self-esteem and coping strategy with sufficient social support were significantly higher than those of deficient social support (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The scores of role conflict, role ambiguity, job future ambiguity, negative emotion, depression symptoms, daily life stress and work locus of control were higher than those of the latter (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Stepwise regression analysis showed that social support was the predictor of depression (R(2)>0.05). Social support affects occupational stress largely and plays an important role in maintaining mental health of career people. The people from different occupations get different level of social support.

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.

Purpose/Hypothesis: This study identified the coping behaviors parents use to adjust to raising a latent/school age child with a disability. The differences in coping behaviors between mothers and fathers were investigated as well as differences between single and married parents of children with disabilities. Number of Subjects: Approximately 250 survey packets were distributed to program directors, physical therapists, occupational therapists and parents. Twenty-five of these surveys were returned. Participation was also solicited by placing a link to an electronic version of the survey on support group websites. Five electronic surveys were received bringing the total sample size to 30 (n = 30). Materials/Methods: Two instruments were used in this study. The Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (FCOPES) identifies coping strategies utilized by families in difficult or problematic situations. The Coping Health Inventory for Parent (CHIP) measures the parents' appraisal of the coping behaviors they use to manage raising a child with a serious of chronic illness. In addition to the survey instruments, a demographics page was included to identify pertinent information regarding the parent and child. Results: When analyzing the data from the FCOPES, spiritual support was found to be utilized most often followed by passive appraisal, reframing, mobilizing family to acquire and accept help, and acquiring social support. Social support was found to be used significantly less than other coping behaviors (P < 0.05). The CHIP revealed maintaining family integration, cooperation, and an optimistic definition of the situation was the most helpful coping behavior, followed by understanding the medical situation through communication with other parents and consultation with medical staff. Maintaining social support, self-esteem and psychological stability was found to be significantly less helpful than the other subscales (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between coping behaviors of mothers and fathers, nor married and single parents. Conclusions: This study revealed social support was used less frequently and reported less helpful than the other coping behaviors. This finding contradicts much of the current literature which reports that social support is one of the most commonly cited coping strategies for parents of physically and/or intellectually disabled children. This study has shown that parents are not utilizing social support services. It is unknown however, if this is because the parents view social support as not helpful, they do not have enough time to engage, or they are not aware the available services. Clinical Relevance: Physical therapists have more frequent and prolonged contact with both the family and the child than most healthcare professionals. It is pertinent for physical therapists to understand the stress these families are facing in order to help them develop effective coping behaviors and to be able to provide information regarding available resources.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the validity of the ‘situational hypothesis’ which suggest that when males and females experience the same stressor at a similar intensity gender differences in coping should disappear. Participants were 123 male and 76 female competitive soccer players (mean age 20.14 years SD 3.59) who completed the MCOPE in response to 3 stressors commonly encountered in competitive soccer. In addition they rated their stress intensity when encountered this stressor by dissecting a 10 cm analogue scale. First, participants were categorized on the intensity of stress experienced (high, medium, low). MANOVA (gender (2) x stress category (3) x scales of MCOPE (12) revealed significant main effect for gender for all 3 scenarios, stress effects for scenario 1 and 2 and an interaction effect for scenario 3. On all scenarios females scored higher on self-blame, wishful thinking and increasing effort. In addition, females scored higher on humor in scenario 1 and suppression of competing activities on scenario 3. In scenario 1 higher levels of stress was associated with increased venting of emotions and medium stress with less active planning. In scenario 2 low stress was associated with more seeking of emotional social support and humor and less increasing effort whereas high stress was associated with more venting of emotions. There was an interaction effect for self-blame in scenario 3. Results did not support the situational hypothesis indicating that gender differences in coping when experiencing the same level of stress are more likely the result of socialization processes.

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.

This study aims to test the reaction agility and stroke effect of table tennis players, explore the correlation between the reaction agility and stroke effect, and analyze the differences between players of different skill levels. Eighty male table tennis players (40 national first-level and 40 s-level) were recruited to participate in the reaction agility test (Speed Chase, Coordination, Reaction, and lower limb Explosive Force) and random full-court stroke effect test (speed, spin, and placement). There was a positive correlation between athletes' reaction agility and their stroke effect. Among these, the players' Turing Time (left) has a significant correlation with the ball speed (r = 0.291), the Turing Time (left) has a significant correlation with the spin speed(r = 0.864), and the Revering Time has a significant correlation with the placement (r = 0.250). There were significant differences in the Moving Distance, Reversing Time, Turning Time (left), and Turning Time (right) between the first- and second-level players (all p < 0.05). The reaction agility of table tennis players was significantly but weak correlated with their stroke effect. The first-level table tennis players had higher reaction agility and greater stroke effect (placement and spin speed) than the second-level players. The first-level table tennis players also exhibited faster direction-changing speed and greater rotational speed to left and right sides. Reaction agility tests under task-specific movements can better distinguish the differences of players' reaction agility at different skill levels. Enhancing players' moving speed and reversing ability, lateral coordination ability, and lower limb explosive force can help improve table tennis players' stroke effect.

Fatigue specifically affects the force production capacity of the working muscle, leading to a decline in athletes’ performance. This study investigated the impact of fatigue on ankle flexor muscle activity and ground reaction forces (GRFs) in elite table tennis players, with a focus on the implications for performance and injury risk. Twelve elite male table tennis athletes participated in this study, undergoing a fatigue protocol that simulated intense gameplay conditions. Muscle activity of the soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) muscles, heel height, and GRFs were measured using a combination of wireless electromyography (EMG), motion capture, and force plate systems. Results showed a significant decrease in muscle activity in both legs post-fatigue, with a more pronounced decline in the right leg. This decrease in muscle activity negatively affected ankle joint flexibility, limiting heel lift-off. Interestingly, the maximal anteroposterior GRF generated by the left leg increased in the post-fatigue phase, suggesting the use of compensatory strategies to maintain balance and performance. These findings underscore the importance of managing fatigue, addressing muscle imbalances, and improving ankle flexibility and strength to optimize performance and reduce the risk of injuries.

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.