(34) TOTAL SCORE OF ATHLETICISM IN IMG ACADEMY GIRLS TENNIS

As strength and conditioning coaches, we routinely evaluate our athletes to determine their physical capability in order to tailor the design of their training programs. However, looking at each physical assessment may not be the most time efficient or practical way of relaying the data.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide a single score of athleticism, referred to as the total score of athleticism (TSA).

Methods: Forty female tennis athletes at IMG Academy completed this study (age:15.5±1.6 years). All participants were assessed for speed (30m sprint), acceleration (10m sprint), change of direction (5-0-5), strength (isometric mid-thigh pull), power (counter-movement jump) and aerobic capacity (yo-yo IR1) during one testing week in September 2022. Relative measures (dividing by body mass) were used for strength and power assessments. Total time was used for acceleration and change of direction. Max velocity was used for speed. To get the TSA, first z-scores were found then those z-scores were converted to t-scores. The t-scores were then summed to get the TSA.

Results: The figure shows each athlete’s TSA. A t-score of 50 (TSA of 300) is an average score and a score between 40-60 covers approximately 70% of a normally distributed population. A score of 70 places the athlete in the top 98th percentile.

Conclusions: The TSA allows coaches to rank athletes based on a cumulative score assessing up to six different fitness components. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: As the TSA is a single score, it can be used for collaborative communication between coaches, sports scientists, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches to maximize the time for planning sessions and practical delivery of sessions.

Acknowledgements: None