Optimal Health Uncovered

E8: How can exercise improve my tennis game?

July 07, 2020 Performance
Optimal Health Uncovered
E8: How can exercise improve my tennis game?
Show Notes Transcript

In this episode, Todd and Mike review health and fitness as it relates to tennis and other racket sport athletes, in the wake of the 2020 Wimbledon tournament cancellation.  They are joined by certified RacquetFit professional and athletic trainer Zack Buechner who discusses the RacquetFit process and how it benefits the tennis player.  Mike and Todd also cover common types of tennis injuries in the clinic and how you can help prevent those injuries. 

(1:03) Introduction to tennis fitness and RacquetFit

(1:15) Common tennis injuries

(2:36) Shoulder overuse tennis injuries and preventing them

(2:56) Rotator cuff tears in the shoulder

(3:15) Bursitis and tendinitis in the shoulder and the differences between the 2

(3:50) Shoulder bursitis definition

(4:30) Biceps tendinitis

(4:50) Preventing these types of tennis injuries, proper warm-up, being prepared before playing tennis

(5:45) Exercises and stretches in multiple planes

(6:40) Epicondylagia and irritation of the elbow joint

(7:07) More pain on the outside of the elbow vs inside of elbow

(7:30) medial or lateral epicondylitis

(8:22) Elbow structures and athletes and how those effect the body and injuries

(8:42) Selective functional movement

(9:08) Educating clients on evaluative findings and how restrictions in one segment can apply a greater load down the kinetic chain

(9:26) Hip rotation with forehand and backhand

(9:50) Evaluating client

(10:00) Loading the kinetic chain

(10:25) Athletic training and the elbow

(10:46) Tennis elbow or golfers elbow or medial and lateral epicodylitis

(12:02) Cumulative effect of overuse

(12:33) Mobility for everyone 

(12:45) Typing, gripping, line work

(13:10) Preparing the body

(14:20) Wrist or hand injuries and preventing them

(14:50) Medial or lateral elbow pain and the tendons of the hand and wrist

(15:03) Triangular fibrocartilage ligament complex or TFCC

(15:25) Hand therapy

(15:40) Tendons and muscles and what they connect

(16:16) Tennis and mechanics of the swing

(16:40) Video analysis and breaking down components of the tennis swing or serve

(17:00) Clinical exam of the tennis mechanics

(17:15) Core or ground reaction forces in the swing

(17:32) Tennis professional and working as a team

(17:50) RacquetFit and what is it?

(28:09) Singles and doubles competition and preparing the body for that

(28:30) Returning to play and transitioning from an injury

(29:01) Treating and when to go to your healthcare provider

(29:24) Overloading the body and when to dial it back

(29:38) Racquetfit and using it as a tool for getting better and living in optimal health

(30:07) Tennis fitness and racquetfit and how to search an expert or racquetfit certified professional.  They can help identify key physical deficiencies. 

(30:48) Wimbledon cancellations and how its effecting us

(31:20) Final thoughts and four pillars of optimal health.