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The Physiological Demands of Table Tennis: A Review

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©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2013) 12, 362-370
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Review article

The Physiological Demands of Table Tennis: A Review

Miran Kondrič 1 , Alessandro Moura Zagatto 2 and Damir Sekulić 3

1 2 3
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Slovenia; Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Brasil; University of
Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Croatia

diet and sleeping habits, a new environment and time

Abstract differences (Guan, 1992; Huang, 2003; Martinet et al.,
Although table tennis has a tradition lasting more than 100 2011; Weber, 1982). A player must thus be in a good
years, relatively little is known about players’ physiological physical shape and mental condition. Notwithstanding the
requirements – especially during competition. In this review we above, skill is the decisive factor in a table tennis match.
discuss research studies that have led to our current understand- Training at high speeds improves a player’s skill and
ing of how the body functions during table tennis training and coordination for performing at higher intensities. Changes
competition and how this is altered by training. Match and
practice analysis of the table tennis game indicates that during
in a player triggered by training are best achieved when
intense practice and competition it is predominantly the anaero- an optimal amount of work is performed at each training
bic alactic system that is called into play, while the endurance session and over a given period of time (Mouelhi Guizani
system is relied on to recovery the anaerobic stores used during et al., 2006).
such effort. It is thus important for coaches to keep in mind that, It appears from our interviews with coaches around
while the anaerobic alactic system is the most energetic system the world that only a small number of them consider the
used during periods of exertion in a table tennis game, a strong aerobic and anaerobic endurance factor. This is under-
capacity for endurance is what helps a player recover quicker for standable since most coaches believe table tennis training
the following match and the next day of competition. This paper is highly specific (Junhua et al., 2012; Pan et al., 2012).
provides a review of specific studies that relate to competitive
table tennis, and highlights the need for training and research
The question then arises: why spend a lot of valuable time
programs tailored to table tennis. training if an improved performance is not achieved, i.e.
better results at table tennis competitions (Ochiana and
Key words: Racket sports, measurement, physiology, loads. Ochiana, 2010)? How important is aerobic endurance for
table tennis performance? Like other sports activities that
on the surface seem not to require staying power, table
Introduction tennis does in fact have an endurance, or aerobic, compo-
nent. For example, when doing multi-ball practice one
Table tennis competitors play one of the fastest ball might overlook the importance of cardiorespiratory en-
games in the world and their performance is the result of a durance as an important element of a complete training
complex myriad of factors. Changes in the rules, tech- program. A high level of aerobic endurance allows, for
niques and table tennis equipment have seen ball spin and example, stroke quality to be maintained throughout a
speed increase substantially compared to the past, short- training session or game and to remain fresh for other
ening point rallies (Li et al., 2007). With the aim of mak- games in a tournament (Iino and Kojima, 2011). In order
ing the game more attractive, the International Table to develop endurance, an athlete must subject specific
Tennis Federation (ITTF) introduced a series of reforms muscles or organ systems to increased resistance (Zagatto
like allowing the co-existence of white and yellow balls, et al., 2008a).
having different rubber surfaces on each side of the It is therefore important to include resistance train-
racket, a 40-mm ball, regulations on serves, a shorter ing as part of a table tennis training program: table tennis
point system and a ban on glues containing harmful vola- performance is not associated with muscular force and
tile compounds (VCs), such as non-water-based glues thus does not require high levels of strength (Djokić,
with organic and inorganic volatile compounds (Further 2007b). There is some fear in coaches’ minds that addi-
information, see Regulations on table tennis game, 2012). tional strength might impair basic motor movement and
Despite being massively popular, not much is fine coordination, i.e. the sense for a good stroke. How-
known about the characteristics and competencies re- ever, top athletes in all sport disciplines do some resis-
quired for professional table tennis. Due to the sport’s tance training in order to boost or at least maintain their
complexity, it is difficult for scientists to conduct meas- general strength. Winning a table tennis match not only
urements, for example, at the World Championships or requires outstanding technique, tactics and psychology,
the Continental Championships, to garner appropriate but also great physical strength (Djokić, 2007c). The
information to present to coaches and players. winner of a World Championship tournament usually has
A world-level competition often lasts a week, with to remain in top physical and mental condition for many
a ranked player competing in many games. The heavy competitive matches over a period of 7 days. An athlete’s
burden involved is always interwoven with various fac- ability to produce energy via metabolic processes is evi-
tors like a busy schedule, strong opponents, changes to dently the most important part of their physiology fitness.

Received: 16 May 2013 / Accepted: 31 July 2013 / Published (online): 01 September 2013
Kondrič et al. 363

Understanding the core principles of metabolic processes that table tennis is an aerobic metabolism sport that re-
will permit table tennis coaches to devise a fitness pro- quires great endurance, often alternating with being an
gram that suits an athlete (Djokić, 2007c). Unfortunately, intense anaerobic metabolism sport over short periods
the understanding of such processes throughout the entire (Pradas et al., 2010; Zagatto et al., 2010; 2011; Zagatto
duration of a competition is poor in table tennis, even in and Gobatto, 2012).
the interested scientific community (Figure 1). The review’s purpose is to provide table tennis ex-
An athlete’s potential is determined by their ge- perts and scientists with up-to-date science research re-
netic endowment (Tucker and Collins, 2012), including garding the characteristics and physiological demands of
not only anthropometric characteristics, inherited cardio- table tennis match play and training in terms of the
vascular traits, and muscular fibre-type proportions but physiological aspects. Research studies conducted across
also the capacity to improve with training (Bouchard, the world have been consulted to unify the findings in-
1986). The amount and suitability of training before a volving measurements of table tennis players’ physiologi-
competition is also very important (Tucker and Collins, cal characteristics. Among retrieved papers from different
2012). The role of a table tennis player’s basic training is databases (see Figure 1) we have also checked out pro-
to decrease stress on the body exercise creates so that ceedings from ITTF sports science congresses.
workouts can be carried out in a more comfortable fash-
ion while simultaneously achieving an increase in the Physiological characteristics (aspects) of the table
maximum number of workouts (Bawden et al., 2004; Wu tennis game
and Huang, 2007). This review aims to present an over-
view of the characteristics and physiological demands of The information pertaining to the physiological profile
table tennis match play and training in terms of the and the match characteristics of table tennis should be
physiological aspects. used by coaches when planning physical training and
Scientists from around the world generally agree specific exercise prescriptions aimed at achieving

Figure 1. Flowchart of the review process (criteria when determining which articles are relevant are: the im-
pact factor of the publication, subject of the research, sample size and methods used).
364 Table tennis physiological demands

maximal sport performance. 2007; Zagatto et al., 2010; Zagatto and Gobatto, 2012).
The rules of table tennis have changed enormously The best players usually have higher levels of en-
in the last ten years. Since the introduction of a bigger ball durance (Weber and Hollman, 1984; Weber, 1985). En-
(i.e., 40 mm ball instead 38 mm ball) and a shorter point durance is a term that describes two separate yet related
system (i.e., 11 points instead 21 points), matches do not concepts: muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory en-
differ a lot from the aspect of physiological demands to durance (Zagatto et al., 2008b). Each makes a unique
matches played before the rules were changed. However, contribution to the player’s performance and hence each
there is no study that measured the energetic contribution varies in importance for different players. Endurance is
of each energy system during a table tennis game. Djokić the quality of a table tennis player that allows him to
(2007c) has found only minor increment in the rally sustain high speeds during top spin strokes with high ball
length per point and the blood lactate values presented in rotation (Zagatto et al., 2011; Zagatto et al., 2008a). This
Weber’s (1985) research (small ball) and Zagatto et al. quality is muscle endurance, the shoulder muscle group’s
(2010) research (new ball) were similar. ability to sustain repeated powerful strokes and rapid on-
Katsikadelis et al. (2007) stated that real playing court movements (Folorunso et al., 2010). The resulting
time at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 in 120 fatigue is limited to a specific muscle group (the shoulder
games ranged from 3.12 min to 6.10 min in total. The girdle), and the activity’s duration is usually very short.
mean duration of games grew as players moved closer to Muscular endurance is firmly related to muscular strength
the quarterfinals. Djokić (2007a) analyzed differences and anaerobic development.
between play of 240 players with the 38mm ball up to 21 In contrast, cardiorespiratory endurance relates to
points and the actual system and found that the rally the body as a whole. It supports a table tennis player’s
length per point (excluding service) increased from 3.87 ability to maintain prolonged activity in long table tennis
min to 4.03 min. competitions (Kasai et al., 2010). Cardiorespiratory en-
A better understanding of the physiological attrib- durance relates to the development of the cardiovascular
utes that determine the yield in a wide range of conditions and respiratory systems and hence aerobic development.
may be instrumental for assisting future scientific re- The term aerobic endurance is therefore used to represent
search. Physiological traits in table tennis may be selected cardiorespiratory endurance.
either directly or through the use of similar tools in rac- VO2max is defined as the highest rate of oxygen
quet sports. consumption attainable during maximal or exhaustive
Mitchell, Haskell and Raven (1994) classified exercise. It is accordingly in a table tennis player’s inter-
sports activities based on the static component, dynamic est to have large aerobic endurance so their anaerobic
component and energy system involved, and placed table metabolism can recover during rest periods (Zagatto and
tennis into the low-moderate group of sports, along with Gobatto, 2007). Coaches thus need to pay attention to this
baseball, softball, volleyball and tennis (doubles). From information. Sperlich et al. (2011) recently measured
this point of view, table tennis requires significant energy cardio-respiratory and metabolic characteristics in table
from both the anaerobic a-lactic and aerobic energy sys- tennis training and actual match play conditions among 7
tems (Zagatto et al., 2010). Most sports scientists (Djokić, junior table tennis players from German national team.
2009; Kordi et al., 2009; Suchomel, 2010) have found a These authors (Sperlich et al., 2011) observed that aerobic
significant positive relationship between player levels and demand, both during training and during a match, is very
heart rate responses. A player’s table tennis skill level is a low. In a match this result is expected because during
significant factor of the level of their exercise intensity, exertion the energy source is supplied by the anaerobic
especially in singles matches. alactic system.
Table tennis is characterized by periods of effort As aerobic and anaerobic alactic energy systems
and rest. The anaerobic alactic system is predominant are the main energy systems involved during a table ten-
during moments of exertion and the endurance system nis match and they can be associated with the perform-
comes into play to recover the anaerobic stores used dur- ance outcome of a game. Thus, it is necessary to use tests
ing effort (Zagatto et al., 2004). Therefore, the aerobic developed using procedures specific to table tennis to
system enables the anaerobic system’s rapid recovery and, measure those systems, mainly the aerobic system that is
due to the greater pause time in a match (about 8 s in a procedure that is investigated more scientifically (i.e.,
relation to 3-4 s of effort), the aerobic system dominates. maximal oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold). Physio-
Yet, despite the importance of precisely verifying aerobic logical testing is used to monitor the progress of players
endurance not many studies have measured this aerobic and provide feed-back, to compare different groups of
component using specific protocols for table tennis. Most individuals, and to contrast different training procedures.
investigations, that conducted specific tests, examined The methodology for measuring physiological
tennis, badminton and squash (Chin et al., 1995; Smekal characteristics in table tennis is not as developed as
et al., 2000; Wonisch et al., 2003; Girard et al., 2005). equivalent protocols available in other sports. The results
Moreover, there have been few applications of specific of a proper field test should be seen as a complement to
procedures in table tennis (Morel and Zagatto, 2008; those obtained in a laboratory test. Since a laboratory test
Zagatto and Gobatto, 2007; Zagatto et al., 2008b; 2011). is a measurement conducted in a controlled environment
However, for fast and powerful movements during a rally and uses protocols and equipment to simulate a game, a
it is the anaerobic system that is decisive, i.e. it represents field test is a measurement conducted while a player is
the difference between winning and losing (Kondrič et al., performing in a simulated competitive situation. Re-
Kondrič et al. 365

searchers have taken various approaches to testing table of high effort, whereas the aerobic system enables the
tennis players and some of them are presented in this generation of repeated powerful strokes, rapid on-court
review. movements, and ensures fast recovery, which helps main-
A sports scientist can employ widely used tests to tain a player’s ideal state (i.e., concentration and prepara-
examine a player’s progress. This can be achieved with tion) for their next effort during play.
the help of a program of properly selected and adminis- The findings of Lu Yunxia (in Lin, 2007) indicate
trated laboratory and field tests. In order to improve the that Chinese coaches often attach great importance to
work of coaches and sportsmen we believe critical re- skills and training tactics but hardly pay attention to train-
views are vital. Some attempts have been made in various ing for physical strength since they believe player
fields and sports in different journals (Lees, 2002; achievement is relatively unrelated to their physique.
Kovacs, 2006; Nicholls and Polman, 2007; Secher, 1983; In contrast, tests for assessing the aerobic system
Shepperd and Young, 2006; Williford et al., 1998). Con- are more consolidated, although they are also scarce and
versely, we can also find texts dedicated to the physiology call for further investigation. In an initial study, Zagatto et
of various sports (Reilly et al., 1990; Garret and Kirken- al. (2004) used the lactate minimum test (LMT) to assess
dall, 1999). table tennis players’ aerobic endurance using cycle er-
It is thus important that the protocols used to test gometer and arm cranking. The LMT consisted of three
table tennis players represent the table tennis game and phases, where the first one comprises anaerobic effort to
the particular muscle groups engaged in a game. Tests of hyperlatemia induction, the second one is a recovery
anaerobic potential (alactic and lactic) are both time- and period (i.e., ~ 7–8 min) and the third one consists of in-
muscle-specific. The criteria applied to isolate the differ- cremental exercise (Morel and Zagatto, 2008; Zagatto et
ent anaerobic energy systems being measured are based al., 2004). Accordingly, the LMT intensity is assumed to
on time. Accordingly, tests of anaerobic alactic potential be a valid test to estimate the maximal lactate steady state
are conducted for brief periods and, conversely, tests of intensity and it is determined by a lower blood lactate
anaerobic lactate potential are conducted for longer peri- value from the polynomial relationship between blood
ods. Table tennis researchers mainly conduct tests of lactate and exercise intensity measured during the incre-
anaerobic alactic potential since rallies in a table tennis mental exercise phase (Morel and Zagatto, 2008; Zagatto
game are very short. et al., 2004). After this study, Morel and Zagatto (2008)
Djokić (2007b) pointed out that testing and meas- adapted the LMT for a table tennis specific test using a
urement are means of collecting information upon which robot. The procedure was similarly applied to a cycle
subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are ergometer. The first phase was an anaerobic exercise to
made. The effective functional diagnosis of athletes al- create a hyperlactatemia state whereas the second phase
lows a training program to be successful. was an incremental test performed on the table using the
robot. In this phase, the player only performed forehand
Methods used to evaluate physiological characteristics attack strokes and the exercise intensity was increased
of the table tennis game every 3 min by increasing the ball frequency. The LMT
adapted by Morel and Zagatto (2008) for table tennis is
The findings of Zagatto et al. (2010) highlight the impor- reproducible and valid for evaluating aerobic endurance
tance of measuring and training the anaerobic alactic and the prescription of exercise (Figure 2).
system and aerobic system. While the aerobic system In an experiment Ellwood (1992) aimed to estab-
seems to be the predominant energy pathway in a table lish whether VO2 measured during a table tennis game
tennis match, the anaerobic system is the most important was consistent with the level predicted by a progressive
for adenosine triphosphate resynthesizing during periods sub-maximal treadmill test for equivalent heart rates. The

Figure 2. Blood lactate response a) during a lactate minimum test and determination of the lactate minimum intensity (LMI);
b) during a specific table tennis incremental test used to determine AnT3.5 (intensity of blood lactate concentration corre-
sponding to 3.5 mmol/L) and AnTspec (intensity of an abrupt increase in the blood lactate response identified using a bi-
segmented linear regression model).
366 Table tennis physiological demands

results suggest that a steady state treadmill test is unsuit- nis is an intermittent sport, and the anaerobic work capac-
able for predicting oxygen uptake during a table tennis ity estimated from the critical power model does not seem
game. The same conclusion was reached by Morel and very relevant. An intermittent exercise test like repeated
Zagatto (2008) who conducted research on 11 table tennis sprint or throwing ability would be more appropriate.
players. These authors compared the LMT applied in a Zagatto et al. (2008a) adapted the critical power model for
specific condition with a laboratory test performed on a table tennis using a mechanical ball thrower (robot) and
treadmill and established that it is necessary to measure tried to measured anaerobic aptitude using a curvature
aerobic endurance using a specific test and that the an- constant parameter (W´) of the intensity-duration relation-
aerobic threshold applied to running on a treadmill must ship from the critical power model. The W´ value was
be used with care in table tennis. compared with the outcome of the Wingate test performed
For table tennis purposes (exercise prescription), on cycle and arm cranking ergometers, and no significant
we are more interested in the performance level that can correlation between them was observed. Based on these
be maintained without fatigue (i.e., maximal lactate results, Zagatto et al. (2008a) concluded that W´ deter-
steady state or aerobic endurance), rather than the aerobic mined by a modified critical power test is not a good
power (VO2max) available at the point of exhaustion. index for measuring the anaerobic system of table tennis
Some research in this direction has also been carried out. players. These findings were reinforced in a recent study
Zagatto et al. (2008b) validated a critical frequency spe- by Zagatto and Gobatto (2012) where no significant cor-
cific test (critf) for estimating the aerobic endurance of relation was found between W´ from a critical frequency
table tennis players. Eight male international-level table test with the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit
tennis players participated in their study. Specific tests (MAOD), which is considered the gold standard test when
were conducted using a mechanical ball thrower to con- assessing anaerobic capacity. However, a great advance
trol the intensity of the exercise. The data indicate that the of this study (Zagatto and Gobatto, 2012) was the adapta-
critf model can be used for measuring aerobic endurance tion of MAOD for a specific table tennis test, representing
in table tennis. a good suggestion for measuring the anaerobic capacity of
Zagatto, Papoti and Gobatto (2009) verified the table tennis players.
need to use a specific protocol for evaluating aerobic Morel and Zagatto (2008) compared three proce-
capacity among table tennis players, comparing the tests dures that estimate the aerobic anaerobic transition in a
applied in conventional ergometers with a test applied to a specific test for table tennis using a mechanical ball
specific ergometer. The study involved nine table tennis thrower (robot) to control the exercise intensity, as used
players. They performed lactate minimum tests in the arm by the mentioned Zagatto et al. (2008b) study. These
ergometer and cycle ergometer; in addition to an incre- procedures were lactate minimum, critical frequency and
mental test in a specific ergometer for determining the anaerobic threshold tests. Significant correlations were
anaerobic threshold (AnTspec) through visual inspection. obtained amongst LMT and critf (r = 0.69), and AnT3.5
There was no significant correlation between the AnTspec and AnTBI (r = 0.70). Therefore, all of the procedures
(48.11 ± 6.82 shots.min-1) and the lactate minimum inten- investigated can be applied when evaluating the aerobic-
sity obtained in arm ergometry (91.94 ± 11.51 W) (r = anaerobic transition among table tennis players.
0.18; p = 0.72). Shu-Chuan et al., (2010) investigated energy ex-
To date, in order to investigate the relationship be- penditure and cardiorespiratory responses during training
tween movement intensity and energy consumption and a simulated table tennis match. Sixty male university
among different athletic levels, typical junior high school table tennis players from Division A (30 elite players) and
students and skilled university students were tested as Division B (30 amateur players) performed both a labora-
experimental subjects by Huan-Yu, Ushiyama, Fei, Iizuka tory test and a simulated table tennis match. The Bruce
and Kamijima (2010) with energy consumption over a 60 protocol was used to evaluate their maximum oxygen
minute table tennis practice being surveyed. To advance uptake (VO2max) and Cortex Metalyzer 3B were used to
players’ skills in competitive table tennis, the implemen- evaluate their peak oxygen uptake (VO2max) during
tation method of physical ability and training were inves- simulated table tennis match. According to this research,
tigated. Therefore, the authors tested subjects to investi- it belongs to the extremely heavy exertion sports to carry
gate and compare a variety of pulse rates and energy on the intensity of movement that table tennis trains. The
consumption quantities in training conditions. Energy intensity of the simulated match is fierce sports; the en-
consumption per body weight per unit of time shows a ergy needed to be consumed for competition is much
range of exercise intensity: 0.050 ~ 0.083 kcal·kg-1·min-1. higher than in training.
Table 1 presents the testing procedures used to
Evaluation of anaerobic capacity measure the aerobic aptitude, both aerobic capacity (AnT,
In this area, the anaerobic system of table tennis players MLSS, RPC, critf and other) and aerobic power
has mainly been assessed with the Wingate test (Kondrič (VO2max), in table tennis players.¸
et al., 2007; Zagatto et al., 2004). The Wingate test corre-
sponds to applying maximal effort for 30 s on a cycle Lactate and heart rate values
ergometer with a workload of 7.5% of body weight. In the 2002/2003 season Djokić (2009) reported increas-
However, while the Wingate test is a valid test for assess- ing heart rates as games unfolded. The average heart rate
ing anaerobic power, it does not present the same motor values during six official competition matches ranged
pattern used during table tennis match efforts. Table ten- from 162 to 172 beats·min-1. During table tennis training
Kondrič et al. 367

Table 1. Methods used to evaluate the aerobic aptitude of table tennis players.
Exercise testing Method and description
Application of 3 or 4 exercise rounds performed until exhaustion and
Critical frequency test in a specific table tennis test
estimated critical frequency using a linear regression among intensity
(Zagatto et al., 2011; Morel and Zagatto, 2008; Zagatto
and inverse of the time limit to exhaustion (1/tlim) and/or a hyper-
and Gobatto, 2007; Zagatto et al., 2008b)
bolic relationship between time limit and intensity
Anaerobic threshold in a specific table tennis test (Morel Intensity of an abrupt increase of blood lactate during an incremental
and Zagatto, 2008; Zagatto et al., 2008b) test identified by a bi-segmented regression.
Anaerobic threshold on a treadmill running test (Morel Velocity of exercise corresponding to blood lactate of 3.5mM during
and Zagatto, 2008) an incremental test
Lactate minimum test in a specific table tennis test (Mo- Intensity at minimum blood lactate response observed during an
rel and Zagatto, 2008; Zagatto et al., 2008b) incremental test performed with a previous hyperlactatemia induction
Lactate minimum test on a cycle ergometer (Zagatto et Power at minimum blood lactate response observed during incre-
al., 2004) mental test performed with previous hyperlactatemia induction
Lactate minimum test in an arm cranking ergometer Power at minimum blood lactate response observed during an incre-
(Zagatto et al., 2004) mental test performed with a previous hyperlactatemia induction
Maximal lactate steady state in a specific table tennis test Maximal intensity which is observed in blood lactate variation is less
(Zagatto et al., 2008b) than 1.0mM between 8 to 20 min
Anaerobic threshold of fixed lactate concentration in a
Intensity of exercise corresponding to blood lactate of 3.5mM during
specific table tennis test (Morel and Zagatto, 2008;
an incremental test
Zagatto et al., 2008b)
Respiratory compensation point (RCP) in a specific table Intensity of increase of both ventilatory equivalents of O2 (VE/VO2)
tennis test ((Zagatto et al., 2011) and CO2 (VE/VCO2 )
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in a specific table Maximal oxygen uptake value attained during an exhaustive incre-
tennis test (Zagatto et al., 2011; Shu-Chuan et al., 2010) mental test

the approximate heart rate value was 142 beats·min-1. In sanguine analytic and field tests, with lactate determina-
purely tactical training when precision in performing and tions in capillary blood, and control of heart rate fre-
returning the serve is emphasized, the average heart rate quency. The sample was formed by sixteen table tennis
values were 152-156 beats·min-1. Djokić demonstrated players, four elite sportsmen, all males, and twelve young
that heart rate depends on the type of training, with more national promises. The data emerging from these tests
demanding training producing heart rates in excess of reveal a better picture of an elite player’s physical condi-
those found in competition. tion relative to the other two groups of players in an infe-
Aiming to verify the physiological responses and rior sport category, and there was also a direct correlation
match characteristics of table tennis and to compare those among the variables, such as indicators of a good physical
responses between two different performance-level ath- condition, and the sport yield evidenced through results of
letes from official tournaments, Zagatto et al. (2010) a field test.
investigated 20 Brazilian male table tennis players (12 Tests designed to measure a specific physiological
regional experience and 8 national and international function depend on the equipment which is used during
experience ). Blood lactate concentration and heart rate the game. The smaller ball in use before the year 2000 is
were measured as physiological parameters in 21 official thought to have led to a different performance outcome of
table tennis matches, while the duration of rally, rest time, the game than the new one (40 mm).
effort and rest ratio, total playing time, effective playing
time, and frequency of shots were recorded in 12 other Conclusion
matches via video analyses. The results suggest that in
table tennis matches the aerobic system provides the prin- In this paper we have reflected on players’ training and
cipal output energy, but the phosphagenic system (an- general trends regarding how they adapt in response to
aerobic alactic system) is the most important during peri- such training. It should be made clear that we considered
ods of exertion. However, during a table tennis match the the adaptations of individual table tennis players and that
energy from the lactic anaerobic system is very low. In- not everyone responds in the same way. Account must
formation pertaining to the physiological profile and also be taken of several factors that can influence player
characteristics of table tennis should be used by coaches response to aerobic and anaerobic training. The prescrip-
when planning physical training and establishing the tion of table tennis training is generally still performed
timing of specific exercises for achieving maximal sport empirically. The relatively small number of research
performance. studies in this area limits the scientific information about
The battery of tests designed for the study by specific procedures, physiological profiles, and character-
Melero Romero et al., (2005) included impedanciometry, istics of table tennis matches available to coaches. Our
368 Table tennis physiological demands

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Klein, W. (2003) Validation of a field test for the non-invasive Employment
determination of badminton specific aerobic performance. Brit- Associated professor. Faculty of Sport,
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athletes' competitive burnout and coping strategies of competi-
PhD
tive stress. In: The proceedings of the Ninth International table
tennis federation sports science congress –Shanghai, China, Research interests
April 27th-30th 2005. Eds: Zhang, X.P., Xiao, D.D. and Dong, Y. Table tennis, Sport and exercise, Racket
2nd edition. Beijing: People's sports publishing house of China. sports, Substance use and misuse.
207-216. E-mail: miran.kondric@fsp.uni-lj.si
 370 Table tennis physiological demands

Alessandro Moura ZAGATTO

Employment
Assistant professor. Sao Paulo State
University (UNESP), Brasil
Degree
PhD
Research interests
Physiology, Racket sports, Table tennis,
Sport and exercise
E-mail: azagatto@yahoo.com.br
Damir SEKULIĆ
Employment
Full professor. Faculty of Kinesiology,
University of Split, Croatia.
Degree
PhD
Research interests
Substance use and misuse, Physiology, Sport
and exercise
E-mail: dado@kifst.hr

Miran Kondrič, PhD

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Gortanova 22 , 1000
Ljubljana, Slovenıa

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