Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Maureen Dunn, Kinesiology

Document Type

Poster

Event Date

4-22-2022

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the acute effects of caffeine ingestion on serve velocity and accuracy in collegiate tennis players during simulated match play. Previous research has shown some effect of caffeine on serve performance in later stages of a simulated match, but little research has been completed on the acute effects of caffeine in a shorter match. Further, there is limited research on realistic tennis play involving serves interspersed with rallies. Participants will include 8 male and female tennis players from the Hope College tennis team. The study will incorporate a double-blind design. Each participant will have weight and blood pressure measurements taken and will be familiarized with the protocol on the first visit of three. On the second and third visits, participants will consume either a caffeine or placebo capsule 1 hour prior to the start of the protocol, and the order of capsules will be randomized for each participant. Caffeine capsules will contain 3 mg per kg of body weight and placebo capsules will contain unflavored gelatin. All participants will perform a standardized warm-up before starting the protocol. The protocol will be composed of seven games, alternating between a serving and returning game. Each serving game will have six points, and each point will consist of a first serve, a second serve, and between 4-8 feeds from the ball machine. Each returning game will have 4 points, and each point will consist of between 5-7 feeds from the ball machine. It is hypothesized that accuracy and velocity will be greater in the caffeine trials compared to the placebo trials. Significant results would allow caffeine to be suggested as a way of improving serve performance in Division III tennis athletes. This study is ongoing and results will be revealed during the research celebration in April.

Comments

Funding provided by the Department of Kinesiology at Hope College.

Included in

Kinesiology Commons

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