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Young UK tennis players 'at risk' | Young UK tennis players 'at risk' |
(5 days later) | |
Young British tennis players should spend less time on court because of the danger of spinal damage, a study says. | Young British tennis players should spend less time on court because of the danger of spinal damage, a study says. |
The study of 33 elite young players by the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital found intensive training was damaging their spines, sometimes irreparably so. | The study of 33 elite young players by the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital found intensive training was damaging their spines, sometimes irreparably so. |
It is thought top players need to put in about 10,000 hours work over a period of 10 years. | It is thought top players need to put in about 10,000 hours work over a period of 10 years. |
But the study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, calls for a rethink of how that time is spent. | But the study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, calls for a rethink of how that time is spent. |
While young Spanish players divide their time equally between training on the court and exercise in the gym, British players, on average, spend 90% of their training time hitting a ball. | While young Spanish players divide their time equally between training on the court and exercise in the gym, British players, on average, spend 90% of their training time hitting a ball. |
"We need to look at reducing the hours spent during the growth spurt years - typically between 12 and 18," said Dr Michael Turner of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which helped fund the research. | "We need to look at reducing the hours spent during the growth spurt years - typically between 12 and 18," said Dr Michael Turner of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which helped fund the research. |
"But, moreover, we need to think about redistributing the hours between court and gym," he added. | "But, moreover, we need to think about redistributing the hours between court and gym," he added. |
Soul searching | Soul searching |
MRI scans of the 33 players, aged between 16 and 23, found spinal problems in 28 of them. | MRI scans of the 33 players, aged between 16 and 23, found spinal problems in 28 of them. |
Training techniques should be modified to minimise the risk of progressive musculoskeletal damage The report | Training techniques should be modified to minimise the risk of progressive musculoskeletal damage The report |
Abnormalities included spinal disc degeneration and fractures as well as diseased facet joints - joints which help the spine bend backwards. | Abnormalities included spinal disc degeneration and fractures as well as diseased facet joints - joints which help the spine bend backwards. |
Spinal damage of this type was four to five times more prevalent in the players than in the general population. | |
The report said: "Tennis requires considerably more repetitive and rapid rotation and stretching of the lower spine than other sports. | The report said: "Tennis requires considerably more repetitive and rapid rotation and stretching of the lower spine than other sports. |
"And the increased speed and types of strokes used in modern tennis all boost wear and tear on the lower back. | "And the increased speed and types of strokes used in modern tennis all boost wear and tear on the lower back. |
"Training techniques should be modified to minimise the risk of progressive musculoskeletal damage." | "Training techniques should be modified to minimise the risk of progressive musculoskeletal damage." |
This would include changing preparation methods to ensure the body is ready to play, as well as spending more time in the gym. | This would include changing preparation methods to ensure the body is ready to play, as well as spending more time in the gym. |
British tennis has been involved in some serious soul searching after UK competitors this year produced their worst showing at Wimbledon for 17 years. | British tennis has been involved in some serious soul searching after UK competitors this year produced their worst showing at Wimbledon for 17 years. |
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