Abstract
PURPOSE : This study aims to verify the effect of differences in the skill level of opponents and doubles partners regarding exercise intensity and enjoyment of healthy senior people with no experience in playing tennis or short tennis when playing doubles games of short tennis.
METHODS : Twenty-four Japanese senior novices (52-77 years old ; 8 males, 16 females) played four different types of doubles games, one game each against two different opponents (novice and skilled) and with two different partners (novice and skilled) . Exercise intensity was assessed by acceleration and heart rate, measured by an ActivTracer® AC-301A (GMS) , while enjoyment was evaluated using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale.
RESULTS : When playing against novice opponents, mean acceleration with a skilled partner (130.3 mG) was significantly lower than with a novice partner (138.1 mG) , but when playing against skilled opponents, there was no significant difference between a skilled partner and a novice partner. When paired with a skilled partner, mean acceleration against skilled opponents (148.2 mG) was significantly higher than against novice opponents (130.3 mG) , but when paired with a novice partner, there was no significant difference between skilled opponents and novice opponents. There was a significant main effect of the opponents for mean heart rate when playing against skilled opponents (124.8 beats/min) than against novice opponents (120.2 beats/min) , but no significant main effect of partners was evident. There was no significant difference in enjoyment level among games.
CONCLUSION : This study demonstrates that when senior people with no experience start playing short tennis, they should carefully consider the skill level of their partners and opponents so that they can gradually increase their exercise intensity. The study also indicates how senior people can derive enjoyment from short tennis irrespective of the level of play of their opponents or doubles partners.
