The Role of Rhythmic Ability on the Forehand Performance in Tennis

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of rhythmic ability on the performance of motor skills. Fifty subjects, 8–10 years old, who were trained systematically for playing tennis, participated in the research. Before the beginning of the experimental procedure, subjects’ initial performance in the stability of forehand groundstroke in tennis was evaluated. For the rhythmic ability assessment, tests were applied for rhythmic accuracy and maintenance of rhythm in two rhythm tempos. After the subjects were separated into two sub‐groups, control and experimental, the experimental group participated in rhythm training for a period of 10 weeks. At the end of the experimental procedure, the final measurements of performance in the motor skills and in the two parameters of rhythmic ability were executed. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in rhythmic accuracy, in both tempos, as a result of rhythm training for the experimental group (p<. 001). Rhythm maintenance did not improve. The stability of the forehand groundstroke was improved after the period of rhythm training (p<.001). The understanding of this relationship between rhythmic ability and motor skills performance is particularly important for the improvement of training programmes, specifically at the age during which coordination abilities allow the greatest opportunity for improvement