Movement analysis and metabolic profile of tennis match play: comparison between hard courts and clay courts

The purpose of this study was to define the movement analysis and metabolic model in tennis on hard courts and clay courts. Twenty-four nationally ranked tennis players were equipped with a 15Hz GPS and a Polar® H7 and played a match on each playing surface. The average duration of matches was 76±24 (C) and 69±17 minutes (H). The maximum heart rate (HRmax) was 185±14 (C) and 178±10 bpm (H), the average heart rate (HRav) was 144±14 (C) and 139±12 bpm (H). The average metabolic power (MPav) was 3,93±0,34 (C) and 3,70±0,34 W x Kg-1 (H) (ES = 0,72, C > H, +6%). The ANOVA and the post hoc showed significant differences regarding the considered parameters on both the surfaces. The t-test highlighted significant surface-related differences (ES = 0,88, C > H, +26%) concerning accelerations performed between 50% and 60% of the maximum value, decelerations between 40% and 50% of the maximum (ES = 1,28, H > C, +37%), metabolic power between 0 and 10 W x Kg-1 (ES = 0,71, H > C, +1%), and 10 and 20 W x Kg-1 (ES = 0,78, C > H, +15%). The playing surface affects the average metabolic power of the athletes.