Analysis of Kinetic Chain Mechanism Affecting Energy Flow in Kick Topspin Tennis Serve in Elite and Amateur Tennis Players

Background. Effective kick-topspin serving in tennis requires power to transfer mechanical energy through a kinematic chain from different parts of the body that is directly related to the kinetics of the joints. Energy flow analysis is a powerful tool for observing the mechanical energy transfer through the body parts. Objectives. This research aimed to study the correlation and predictive ability of the independent variables affecting the energy flow in a topspin kick serve. Methods. Ten male tennis players aged 19 - 25 were recruited by purposive sampling and consisted of elite and amateur tennis players. The movement patterns of the kinetic chain mechanism and the energy flow in kick topspin tennis serve were recorded with six motion cameras with a force platform and motion analysis program to analyze their 3D motion. The relationship and comparison with the independent variables affecting the dependent variable at seven joints were investigated using Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Stepwise multiple regression analysis for the predicted equation (p<0.05). Results. The results showed no significant differences in the seven body joints in both groups. The correlation and predictability revealed that the variables were used to transfer and release mechanical energy differently in three distinct phases. Conclusion. The effective kinetic chain and energy flow lead the mechanical energy to the segment of the body to achieve proper position and energy transfer; smooth coordination leads to greater speed in the acceleration phase to the follow-through phase in the tennis serve.