Abstract

Introduction: In tennis, stroke speed is a characteristic factor of the game, so studying specific determinants is very valuable. Objective: To analyze the association between stroke velocity and anthropometric indicators, fat tissue and explosive muscle strength in young female tennis players. Methodology: Cross-sectional and correlational-descriptive study. Twenty-nine female tennis players (16.3±0.7 years) were evaluated. Height, body weight and skin folds were recorded. Body fat percentage (GC) was calculated. In addition, service, forehand and backhand velocity were measured with a speed radar (Pocket Radar®). Explosive muscle strength was determined by medicine ball toss (MBT), horizontal jump (SH) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests. The study was approved by a competent ethics committee in the area of a Chilean university. Results: The LBM showed a positive association with serve velocity (R2=23%), forehand (R2=17%) and backhand (R2=15%). An increase in LBM distance was positively related to an increase in stroke velocity (?= 0.07; 0.07; 0.06 km/h, respectively). Likewise, service velocity was negatively associated with ?2 skinfolds (R2=29%), GC (R2=28%) and body weight (R2=29%). Discussion: These results partially coincide with other studies where it has been reported that upper body explosive muscle strength, fat tissue and body weight are components of physical performance that can increase stroke speed. Conclusions: The stroke speed is mostly associated with LBM. On the other hand, the service velocity is negatively related to indicators of adiposity and body weight. © 2025 Federacion Espanola de Docentes de Educacion Fisica. All rights reserved.