Abstract

Currently, young female tennis players participate in international tournaments away from home, which can affect their performance. The study aimed to analyzechanges in body composition, stroke speed, and muscle power after a five-week international tour in young Chilean female tennis players. The sample consisted ofthirty young female players (16.2±0.7). Body weight, height, skinfolds and body perimeters were measured. Body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass (SMM)were calculated. Service speed, forehand and backhand strokes were monitored with a speed radar (Pocket Radar®). Muscle power was evaluated with horizontaljump (HJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and medicine ball throw (MBT). The results show decreases in SMM and body fat (p<.01; d= 0.89 and 0.75). In muscularpower, there was a loss in MBT, CMJ, and HJ (p<.01; d= 0.59 to 0.98). In addition, the speed of serve, forehand, and backhand decreased (p<.01; d= 1.16, 0.27, and0.46, respectively). We conclude that, after a five-week international tour, there is a significant decrease in serve speed, forehand, backhand, MBT, CMJ, and HJ, anda loss in body fat and SMM.