Table tennis loop-drive training: a neuromotor exercise modality for the adult population.

By practicing table tennis, the adult population can meet the American College of Sports Medicine's recommendations for neuromotor exercising. In this study, thirteen recreational players (age: 46.2 ± 18.3 yr., 8 males and 5 females) trained for improved spin rate (SR) and hitting speed (HS) of their forehand loopdrives (FLD). The eight-week program followed ACSM's guidelines for developing balance, agility, and proprioceptive abilities. Two practices per week were conducted which included a 20-min FLD training against consistent backspin balls served by a table tennis robot. In addition, participants studied instructional materials and utilized self-regulated peer feedback. Biweekly tests assessed average SR, HS, and ball contact location (CL) on the paddle from five consecutive FLDs. SR increased from 41.6 rs^-1 to 60.7 rs^-1, while HS from 8.57 ms^-1 to 9.71 ms^-1 by the end of the program (both p<0.05). While SR increased consistently throughout the program, HS reached its peak after four weeks of training, then remained at that increased level. CL moved from 21 mm below the paddle's longitudinal axis (the paddle was usually in horizontal position at contact) to 35 mm below the axis. This study contributed to the knowledge base of training type, intensity, and methods for neuromotor exercising of adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]