Muscles involved in the tennis backhand action

Tennis

Backhand Action of the Tennis Shot

This paper analyzes the muscles involved in the backhand action of a tennis shot. Included are all muscles initiating and assisting this motion, including the muscles of the leg.

Define the Action

To understand what muscles are involved in a backhand shot, one must first define the actual action, and the body parts involved at each moment of action. Many consider it common knowledge the elbow muscles are involved in a backhand swing, in part because the muscles of the elbow and tendons in the elbow are often involved in "tennis elbow" a condition common in players. Since these muscles are involved in the backhand shot however, they are worth mention. They include the muscles in the forearm, which enable the wrist to bend back to prepare for a shot, called the extensor muscles, which attach to the lateral epicondyle, connected by a tendon.

During the backhand, the player will position themselves in a manner to prepare for the shot, by tossing the ball with the right hand, then exude a forward motion from which they will swing their racket, impact the ball and follow through landing on their leg supported by the back and pelvis. This complex action involves multiple muscle groups.

Muscle Activity During Play

Other muscles extensively used in the backhand shot include: (1) the leg muscles, primarily the quadriceps or the front of the upper le muscles, and the gluteus muscles which help stabilize the person playing tennis; (2) the gastrocnemius muscles, which serve to stabilize the core during a backhanded motion; (3) the chest and upper body, including the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi, which also provide power and support for the backhand position during the initial phases through the shot itself; (4) the deltoid muscles, which provide power to the actual racket and during the shot, accompanied by the rotator cuff and shoulder adductor, responsible for providing force during the shot; (5) the triceps, which help support the forearm and elbow during the swing; (6) the wrist and hand muscles, which also actively engage during the swing part of the shot; (7) the lower back, which helps support the torso and stabilize the body as the player follows through with the shot and (8) the abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominus, which stabilize the body, and the internal and external left oblique, which help position the body for the backhand shot and enable the tennis player to move the ball forward during the swing and follow through phase of the backhand shot (Walkerbout Health, 2007).

What many tennis players do not realize is the neck muscles, including the neck flexor muscle and the extensor muscles, also engage during the hit phase of the backhand shot and the follow through (Walkerbout Health, 2007). While most people may assume the muscles in the arm and legs are those primarily engaged during this shot, it is clear to see the entire body is often involved in this complex move. For this reason, it is critical all players warm up and stress the affected muscles prior to vigorous engagement, to help reduce the likelihood of injury including sprains and strains to key muscle groups.

The rotator cuffs and the muscles and tendons along the scapula are often inflamed and affected in tennis players that excel and frequently engage in backhanded shots, in part because the rotator cuffs provide much of the power of the shot during the swing, impact and follow through parts of the backhand shot. Also commonly overused include the forearm muscles, which are usually only injured when the player engages in bad technique or form (Walkerbout Health, 2007). The potential for injury is significantly reduced when the player takes care to stretch and perfect their stroke to avoid undue stress to the tissues surrounding these muscles.

The back also is commonly utilized as a source of stabilization and power during a backhand shot. Improper technique can lead to strain in the back as well, usually resulting from an overly arched back, which can result in small tears or strains of the tissues supporting the spine (Walkerbout Health, 2007). Some players, especially those that continuously engage in bad form, are more at risk for chronic injuries, even arthritis when they do not take care of these muscles and work to properly strengthen and train them between playing sessions (Walkerbout Health, 2007).

Among the muscles that are most stable in this shot include the quadriceps muscles in the upper leg. Strengthening and stretching of these muscles is important to prevent knee pain and injury resulting from the rapid motions the player engages in when preparing for and following through with a tennis shot. There are instances where a tennis player will suffer from injuries to the Achilles tendon or the calf muscles supporting the quadriceps if the player tends to push off from their calf when following through with the backhand shot (Walkerbout Health, 2007). A tear in the calf muscles is a somewhat common injury among tennis players, though the odds of injuring this muscle are dramatically reduced with proper training and stretching of the muscles following vigorous play.

Typically poor form is to blame for most of the injuries to the muscles in the elbow and ligaments of tennis players during a backhand shot. This is one reason proper technique is critical to success as a tennis player. Other common injuries one may suffer aside from those mentioned include tendonitis or tendinosis, injuries that do not affect the muscles themselves, but rather the tendons supporting them (Davies & Houseworth, 2000).

In short, one may conclude nearly all the major muscles of the body are involved in the tennis backhand. The muscles of the lower and upper abdomen, the muscles of the upper and lower back, the gluteus, the quadriceps and calves, the forearms, deltoids, biceps, neck and even pelvis are involved in this shot. All of these muscles work synergistically to support the human body during the practice of hitting the ball using a backhand swing. As with any sport, it is critical the player pays attention to their form and the force with which they swing, to avoid injury if possible to the primary and supporting muscles that allow for proper postural functioning during the backhand swing.