Impact of a six-week training program on physical fitness and performance of young tennis players: a cluster analysis approach
This study aimed to classify young tennis players into sub-groups (clusters) based on their performance and physical fitness determinants and to analyze their cluster assignment change over six weeks of intervention. A sample of young athletes aged 10–14 years was used, and players were classified a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1571019/full |
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| author | João P. Oliveira João P. Oliveira João P. Oliveira Daniel A. Marinho Daniel A. Marinho Tatiana Sampaio Tatiana Sampaio Tatiana Sampaio Bulent Kilit Jorge E. Morais Jorge E. Morais |
| author_facet | João P. Oliveira João P. Oliveira João P. Oliveira Daniel A. Marinho Daniel A. Marinho Tatiana Sampaio Tatiana Sampaio Tatiana Sampaio Bulent Kilit Jorge E. Morais Jorge E. Morais |
| author_sort | João P. Oliveira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aimed to classify young tennis players into sub-groups (clusters) based on their performance and physical fitness determinants and to analyze their cluster assignment change over six weeks of intervention. A sample of young athletes aged 10–14 years was used, and players were classified according to their International Tennis Number (ITN) and various physical fitness metrics after a six-week specific training program. Clusters were also analyzed for cluster assignment changes across pre-test and post-test interventions. The results showed that the performance variables in all clusters improved at the end of the intervention. Specifically, ITN scores improved by an average of 15% (p < 0.05), the 5-m sprint times improved by 8.5% on average (p < 0.01), and the T-drill agility test showed a 10% reduction in completion time (p < 0.01). However, key determinants for cluster formation assessment scores differed, meaning that the training resulted in the physical fitness profiles changing over time. Improvement in 5-m sprint and T-drill agility tests showed that the current program was effective in improving movement characteristics that are vital to a tennis player. Movement between clusters was observed, with some players improving their classification while others regressed, highlighting the need for individualized training interventions to optimize player development. Individualized responses to training are common among young athletes, reflecting varying developmental stages. Clustering can help tailor training programs to the specific needs of different groups. In summary, this study highlights the effects of specific training on young tennis players and emphasizes the necessity of considering individual differences in growth and training responses. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e914fd6d873a4a22b7ae017f40617954 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj-art-e914fd6d873a4a22b7ae017f406179542025-08-20T02:30:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-06-01710.3389/fspor.2025.15710191571019Impact of a six-week training program on physical fitness and performance of young tennis players: a cluster analysis approachJoão P. Oliveira0João P. Oliveira1João P. Oliveira2Daniel A. Marinho3Daniel A. Marinho4Tatiana Sampaio5Tatiana Sampaio6Tatiana Sampaio7Bulent Kilit8Jorge E. Morais9Jorge E. Morais10Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, PortugalResearch Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Covilhã, PortugalResearch Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, PortugalDepartment of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, PortugalResearch Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Covilhã, PortugalDepartment of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, PortugalResearch Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Covilhã, PortugalResearch Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, PortugalFaculty of Sport Sciences, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, TürkiyeResearch Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, PortugalDepartment of Sport Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, PortugalThis study aimed to classify young tennis players into sub-groups (clusters) based on their performance and physical fitness determinants and to analyze their cluster assignment change over six weeks of intervention. A sample of young athletes aged 10–14 years was used, and players were classified according to their International Tennis Number (ITN) and various physical fitness metrics after a six-week specific training program. Clusters were also analyzed for cluster assignment changes across pre-test and post-test interventions. The results showed that the performance variables in all clusters improved at the end of the intervention. Specifically, ITN scores improved by an average of 15% (p < 0.05), the 5-m sprint times improved by 8.5% on average (p < 0.01), and the T-drill agility test showed a 10% reduction in completion time (p < 0.01). However, key determinants for cluster formation assessment scores differed, meaning that the training resulted in the physical fitness profiles changing over time. Improvement in 5-m sprint and T-drill agility tests showed that the current program was effective in improving movement characteristics that are vital to a tennis player. Movement between clusters was observed, with some players improving their classification while others regressed, highlighting the need for individualized training interventions to optimize player development. Individualized responses to training are common among young athletes, reflecting varying developmental stages. Clustering can help tailor training programs to the specific needs of different groups. In summary, this study highlights the effects of specific training on young tennis players and emphasizes the necessity of considering individual differences in growth and training responses.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1571019/fullyouth tenniscluster analysisphysical fitnessinterventionperformance |
| spellingShingle | João P. Oliveira João P. Oliveira João P. Oliveira Daniel A. Marinho Daniel A. Marinho Tatiana Sampaio Tatiana Sampaio Tatiana Sampaio Bulent Kilit Jorge E. Morais Jorge E. Morais Impact of a six-week training program on physical fitness and performance of young tennis players: a cluster analysis approach Frontiers in Sports and Active Living youth tennis cluster analysis physical fitness intervention performance |
| title | Impact of a six-week training program on physical fitness and performance of young tennis players: a cluster analysis approach |
| title_full | Impact of a six-week training program on physical fitness and performance of young tennis players: a cluster analysis approach |
| title_fullStr | Impact of a six-week training program on physical fitness and performance of young tennis players: a cluster analysis approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of a six-week training program on physical fitness and performance of young tennis players: a cluster analysis approach |
| title_short | Impact of a six-week training program on physical fitness and performance of young tennis players: a cluster analysis approach |
| title_sort | impact of a six week training program on physical fitness and performance of young tennis players a cluster analysis approach |
| topic | youth tennis cluster analysis physical fitness intervention performance |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1571019/full |
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