Neuromuscular Control and Lateralization in the Game of Tennis

AbstractOur research aimed to measure the laterality type of tennis players and its role in controlling their muscles. The study was conducted on a batch of 62 athletes, aged between 10 and 18 years (average age = 14.18 years, SD = 2.22). The evaluation of lateralization was performed in two steps: measuring (a) the level of gross and fine motor skills using a tapping and marking test and (b) the level of neuromuscular control using a condition simulator with two tasks (coordination at low speed and coordination at high speed). Statistical analysis revealed a positive relation between the laterality type of the probed athletes and their results in the condition simulator at high speed coordination. The study indicated that athletes who feature left hand laterality or are ambidextrous have a higher level of neuromuscular control than athletes who distinguish themselves by right hand laterality