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The study determined the competitive readiness of male and female table tennis athletes of the University of the Philippines before the 2016 UAAP Intercollegiate Table Tennis Competition. It answered the following questions: 1. What is the profile of the table tennis varsity athletes, as measured by the CRSTTA (Competitive Readiness Scale for Table Tennis Athletes)? 2. Is there a significant difference between male and female athletes? and 3. What training program can be proposed based on the result of the study. Using descriptive research design, the CRSTTA was administered two (2) weeks before the competition to twenty-two (22) table tennis athletes of the University of the Philippines (14 males and 8 females). The CRSTTA is a 60-item, Likert-type instrument to measure competitive readiness in the areas of mental toughness, coach ability, physical readiness, tactical readiness, anxiety management, motivation, attention and concentration, self-confidence, and team sociability. Results showed that both men and women had high levels of competitive readiness (mean=2.94, SD=0.89 and mean=2.92, SD=0.92). It also showed that there is no significant difference between genders in regards to competitive readiness. Though the results were significant before the start of the competition, this was not enough to compare if the results of the test have significant differences with the outcome of the competition, since the teams only duplicated the final rankings from the previous year. It is highly recommended that a proposed intervention training program be developed to address competitive readiness of table tennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On July 1, 2014, the ITTF started implementing the use of the plastic ball in all ITTF sanctioned and World Title events, instead of the traditional celluloid ball. In addition to the material change from celluloid to plastic, there was also a slight change in the diameter and the weight of the ball from 39.50mm-40.50mm to 40.00mm-40.60 mm and from 2.67g-2.77g to 2.65g-2.82g. The change in material, together with the change in diameter and weight, can greatly affect the game of table tennis and how it is viewed and played. Since this is a new and recent change and development in the sport, there are still a lot of areas to be looked into and studied. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference between the racket angles among the Philippine Men's Table Tennis National Team Players when using the plastic ball compared with that when using the celluloid ball. A quantitative, experimental, and within subject research design was used in this study. All 3 subjects were tested for both the plastic ball and the celluloid ball and repeated racket angle measurements were taken for all participants. Results showed that among the group, there was a statistically significant difference between the racket angle measurements for the celluloid ball and plastic ball. Significant differences were also found in each one of the three player's racket angle measurements for the celluloid ball when compared to each one's own individual racket angle measurements for the plastic ball. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine changes in blood pressure during exercise and to identify blood pressure abnormalities in female and male table tennis collegiate players. Twenty-one athletes (female=8, male=13) completed the Queens College Step Test to determine their response to exercise. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood (DBP) pressure markers were measured before, immediately after, and 1,2,3-minute post (recovery) exercise. On average, SBP of female and male athletes significantly change after exercise but no significant differences were found between genders on all blood pressure variables. However, individual results revealed 48% of the players had SBPmax of < 140mmHg and one player has DBPmax of > 100mmHg suggesting blood pressure abnormalities. The findings support a similar study in Filipino collegiate racket sport players that showed evidence of irregular systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses to exercise. The current study provides further insights about the importance of exercise blood pressure markers to diagnose athletes at risk of developing hypertension or cardiovascular disease and to evaluate players' metabolic fitness. However, more research is needed particularly which blood pressure parameter would noticeably detect exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise in athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The difference between success and failure in sports comes from a clear understanding and application of Sport Science. Physical fitness and motor ability tests are designed to measure the physiological attributes of an athlete. It consists of a battery of tests that closely represents the various physiological demands the athlete needs for performance enhancement in their respective sports. This is an integral part in the total development of the athlete. This study determined the "baseline data", which can serve as a basis for talent identification and improved intervention program which will eventually result to optimum performance. Twentytwo table tennis athletes (Male-12; Female-10) from the University of the Philippines were tested using a one-shot pre-experimental design. The following components and instruments were used:1) Height and Weight 2) Body fat percentage using Bio-Impedance Analysis technique 3) Joint mobility and stability Functional Movement Screen 4) Lower body strength using the Standing Long Jump 5) Agility using the Agility Run Test 6) Balance using Stork Test 7) Hand and eye coordination using Wall Bounce 8) Upper arm strength using Kneeling Ball Throw, Push up and Sit Up Test 9) Speed using the 100-Meter Dash and 10) Cardiovascular endurance using the 2.2 Km Run and 11) Hand Strength using Grip Test. Descriptive Statistics and Ranking were used to analyze the data. The results were used as a basis to determine the athlete's initial baseline as a basis for designing a comprehensive training program in order to develop their weak points. A pre and post-test, pre-experimental design is recommended to determine if there will be significant changes and improvement in their pre-test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study determined which practice schedule is most effective in Contextual Interference Effect in terms of a certain span of time. 36 participants, 12 from the Basic and 24 from the Advanced Table Tennis Classes were involved. A pretest used Multiball Training where they were told to hit accurately the targets across the other side of the table adopted from the measurement setup of ETTA's Halex Proficiency Awards using only the skills they already have without any experimental intervention. From this, they are categorized into three practice groups namely: random, blocked and serial group using the ABBA assignment/counterbalance procedure. Results showed that there is no significant difference between the scores of students from the Basic and the Advanced Classes. In terms of skill and form of execution, results showed that there is no significant difference in all the participants even when grouped separately according to the three practice schedules. However, results showed that the Random Practice Schedule, with regard to the period of time, is the most effective because it showed significant differences in terms of the accuracy points gained from pre-test to post test. All three practice schedules showed improvement in terms of accuracy. Random practice schedule gave a faster improvement from pre-testing to post testing. In future researches, in teaching table tennis using practice schedules, the element to be considered is with the proper guidance of teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

the study identified and determined the factors (gender, age, and number of competitive years of experience) affecting participation motives among six selected varsity table tennis teams coming from the UAAP and NCAA. Respondents completed a demographic questionnaire and the 28-item Sport Motivation Scale. This was utilized to identify their motives for participating in table tennis. The Relative Autonomy Index (RAI) was then computed from the responses gathered. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-test were used to analyze the results. Further analysis using multivariate factorial design was also used to determine further interactions between categorical variables and motivation. Results showed that there exist significant differences in participation motives in terms of gender as male table tennis athletes scored higher in Extrinsic Motivation - Introjected, Extrinsic Motivation - External Regulation, Amotivation, and RAI score as compared to females. A significant difference in participation motives was also found in terms of age where the 16-18 years old athletes scored higher in Intrinsic Motivation - to Know, Amotivation and RAI score than those who are 19-24 years old. In terms of number of competitive years of experience, no significant differences were found in participation motives. This indicates that participation motives of selected varsity table tennis athletes are affected by their gender and age. Male athletes favoured the more controlled function as compared to the female athletes. Also, participation motives of the respondents deviate from the most self-determined motives to the lesser ones as they age. Multivariate analysis also showed that among the three categories, gender had the most influence in the motivation of the respondents. Motives for participating in table tennis are not a matter of players being pumped up for games. Instead, it is a continuous process of conditioning ones self to automatically give their best efforts whenever they are on the court. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of technology, the use of table tennis rackets has become significant in the development and propagation of the sport where it has greatly affected the speed and spin of the ball, style and the level of play. Little has been known about the sandpaper or "Liha" (in Filipino term) rackets by most modern player now, unlike the "Hardbat" which the Americans have popularized. However, both "liha" and hardbat have been popularly played in the Philippines during the American colonization. It has its own humble beginnings and has great influence in the contemporary games of Philippine table tennis. The study aims to explore "Liha" table tennis rackets and its influence in the Philippine table tennis setting. Using a cultural-historical activity theory approach, the researchers have drawn from a widespread database that included published materials, pictures and video transcripts of events, interviews, field notes and texts produced by prominent table tennis personalities and the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (TATAP). The following data were gathered: I. Popularity - Hardbat and Liha became so popular during the American colony of the Philippines through the efforts of TATAP's first president, the late Senator Sergio Osmena when several world-class players in the likes of Martin Reisman, Richard Bergman and Johnny Leach were invited to play in the 1st Philippine Invitational of Champions in 1952 II. Events conducted - Included in some regional and national table tennis events III. Underground "Liha"- The unrevealed story where it is being kept privately in most areas especially in Cebu City where the late Mr. Sergio Osmena resided IV. Champions produced which started off as Liha players - The late Teofilo Ybanez and current Southeast Asian Champion Richard Gonzales V. Physical fitness for elders at Marikina and Malabon Table Tennis Club in Metro Manila VI. Fiestas-"Liha" events in fiestas; e.g. Sinulog Fiesta of Cebu City -Central Philippines VII. Rules - Modified Rules compared from the ITTF Rules. In conclusion, the game of table tennis using "Liha" rackets has its benefits in the Philippine table tennis scene. The researchers do not wish to propose and inform the table tennis community to include "liha" to its present "rubber" tournaments but rather suggest having it as an added "variant" to be legalized and recognized in table tennis events. It can be played by young and old individuals who do not only want to enjoy the game because of its longer rallies but also to maintain an optimum level of fitness , fun and a "fallback" grounds from the present fast-paced game of table tennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study determined the perceived motivational climate among the eight Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) table tennis school teams and its athletes according to skill level: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Respondents included 37 athletes in the 2007-2008 season (3 beginners, 24 intermediate and 10 advanced athletes) who completed the 33-item Perceived Motivational Climate Sport Questionnaire - 2 (Newton, Duda, & Yin, 2000) on a 5-point Likert scale. They consist of 90% of the total population in the eight participating school teams. This was utilized to assess the degree of perception to which their respective team's motivational climate is characterized in terms of the two higher-order scales/constructs, labeled the perceived mastery climate and perceived performance climate (Newton, et.al., 2000; Reinboth & Duda, 2006). Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were used to analyze the results. Responses indicated that among all the athletes of the WNCAA school teams and across all skill levels, the identified perception of the prevailing motivational climate was more of a mastery climate which indicated a very high mean scale description of 4.52 than of a performance climate which obtained a 2.645 moderate mean score. The advanced level and intermediate level athletes' degree on their perception of the motivational climate registered a Very High Mastery Climate - Moderate Performance Climate; whereas in the beginner's level, athletes registered a Very High Mastery Climate - Low Performance Climate. It also revealed that there were no significant differences that emerged between the perceived motivational climate of the athletes among all school teams and across all skill levels, thus we accept the null hypotheses. It clearly indicated that the school teams' motivational climate set by the coach and peers valued encouragement, effort/improvement, and that athletes under their care reported having a more positive experience with their sport and team structure. While improving and refining a player's technical and tactical skill is crucial for enhancing the quality of play, it is the improvement of the psychological aspect and an established motivational climate that would eventually allow her to elevate her play to a much higher level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

since the advent of sponge rubber rackets in the early 1950's, traditional sandpaper rackets used in national and international competitions with such longer rallies, less spin and speed have slowly declined and eventually almost forgotten. We investigated the performances of the participants during the 2013 World Championship of Ping Pong held in London, England from January 5-6, 2013. The event offered cash prizes and participated by 64 players from 18 countries (39 rubber, 20 hardbat and 5 sandpaper players) who were selected by Matchroom Sports. To level the playing field, specifically made sandpaper rackets provided by the organizers were used. The double elimination format was played in the qualifying stage with 8 groups of 8 players vying for the top 4 spots going into the final stage where the single elimination format was played with the best of 3 games using the current ITTF rules. A "double pt." rule was also introduced. The results confirmed that sponge rubber players, who advanced to the final rounds can adapt to sandpaper rackets. With limited or no hardbat training, we felt that some rules can be changed to achieve more rallies with an epic sense and greater balance between defense and offense to further separate significant differences between sponge/rubber and sandpaper game. However, because a significantly statistically greater number of participants used sponge rubber rackets, inconclusive data and evidence exist to determine whether full time sandpaper had an advantage over part-time sandpaper enthusiasts that otherwise use sponge rubber rackets. Furthermore, the format of the competition mirrored to a large extent the modern sponge rubber sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]