Physiology, biomechanics and injuries in table tennis: A systematic review

Objectives Table tennis is a widely practiced sport, often described as a reaction sport. Therefore, players need to practice extensively that may expose them to overuse injuries. For optimizing training with limitation of the injury risk, the knowledges of table tennis physiology, biomechanics and epidemiology are of primary interest. Methods For that purpose, a literature review has been made through a systematic search on three scientific databases. Overall, table tennis physiology is complex due to intense and intermittent efforts. It results that some technological challenges still need to be addressed to accurately quantify this physiology. Besides, current rules changes may modify the table tennis physiological requirements. Results Findings in neurophysiology tend to define table tennis as an anticipation sport rather than a reaction sport and higher occulo-motor skills were found in table tennis population with respect to average population. Regarding biomechanics, some rare studies have been done but none had investigated the energy flow between the upper- and the lower-body, which would be interesting to understand how the energy generated by the footwork contributes to racket velocity. Conclusion Finally, epidemiological studies lack of details on injury locations and diagnosis. These data could be of high interest to improve medical and training care

Impact immédiat et à long terme d'un programme de réhabilitation par l'activité physique sur la densité minérale osseuse chez des patients atteints de maladies chroniques

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) for people with chronic diseases has many benefits, including bone health benefits. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the immediate and long-term impact of a PA intervention on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with chronic diseases. Methods: We included patients participating in a 6-week AP program. Body composition (total BMD, hip and lumbar), aerobic capacity (AC), physical capacities (PC), quality of life (QoL) (SF36 questionnaire) and PA level (Ricci & Gagnon questionnaire) were assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Results: A total of 173 patients were included (median age: 63.2 years, 52.6% female, 35.8% metabolic syndrome) of whom 64.2% were initially inactive. The initial total BMD was positively correlated with peak power (PP, r=0.39), lower limb strength (r=0.15) and negatively correlated with age (r=-0.27), BMI (r=-0.18) and tobacco (r=-0.16). After the program (n=149, 86.1%), the AC, QoL and PC parameters were significantly improved (p<0.01) without changing the BMD (3 sites). After 12 months (n=112, 64.7%) the QoL and some AC (PP, six-minute walk) and PC parameters were improved (p<0.01) without modification of the BMD (3 locations). Among patients followed at 12 months (n=112), 63.8% of initially inactive patients became active. Conclusion: In patients with chronic diseases, a 6-week AP intervention has positive and lasting effects on AC, QoL and PC without significantly increasing BMD.Introduction : la pratique régulière d'activité physique (AP) dans les maladies chroniques présente de nombreux bienfaits, notamment sur la santé osseuse. Objectif : évaluer l'impact immédiat et à long terme d'une intervention d’AP sur la densité minérale osseuse (DMO) chez les patients atteints de maladies chroniques. Méthode : nous avons inclus des patients participant à un programme de 6 semaines d’AP. La composition corporelle (DMO totale, hanche et lombaire), la capacité d’effort (CE), les capacités physiques (CP), la qualité de vie (QdV) (questionnaire SF-36) et le niveau d’AP (questionnaire Ricci & Gagnon) ont été évalués à l’entrée, après le programme, puis à 6 et 12 mois de suivi. Résultats : un total de 173 patients a été inclus (âge médian : 63.2 ans, 52.6% de femmes, 35.8% syndrome métabolique) dont 64.2% étaient inactifs initialement. La DMO totale initiale était positivement corrélée à la puissance maximale aérobie (PMA, r=0,39) à la force des membres inférieurs (r=0,15) et négativement à l'âge (r=-0,27), l'IMC (r=-0,18) et au tabac (r=-0,16). Après le programme (n=149, 86,1%), les paramètres de CE, QdV et CP étaient significativement améliorés (p<0.01) sans modification de la DMO (3 sites). Après 12 mois (n=112, 64.7%) la QdV et certains paramètres de CE (PMA, test de marche) et de CP étaient améliorés (p<0.01) sans modification de la DMO (3 sites). Parmi les patients suivis à 12 mois (n=112), 63.8% des patients initialement inactifs sont devenus actifs. Conclusion : chez les patients atteints de maladies chroniques, une intervention d'AP de 6 semaines a des effets positifs et durables sur la CE, la QdV et les CP sans augmentation significative de la DMO