BIOMECHANICS OF TENNIS ELBOW

ERICA MICHELLE FERNANDES

Friday, 26 March 2010

INTRODUCTION:Incidence:

Constitutes a sizeable percentage of elbow injuries

Elbow problems occur atleast once in 40% to 50% of tennis players (George, et al.,2006)

INTRODUCTION TO THE ELBOW JOINTBASIC ANATOMY

COMMON AREAS OF INFLAMMATION

•SUPRACONDYLAR RIDGE & EPICONDYL FACETS

•TENDON BODY

•MUSCULOTENDINOUS JUNCTION

•MUSCLE BELLY

Concept of sweet spot:

FORCES ACTING on the hand:

Forces:

EQUATIONS OF MOTION IN TENNIS1.F+Fr=MdV/dt2.Fb-Frh= Icmdw/dt3.FrLf= Ifdwf/dt4.Vp= Lfwf=hw-V

Contd….

Factors responsible for tennis elbow:-Poor techniqueForced eccentric muscle contractionElbow CrunchWrist CrunchImpulse reactionShockTip speed

Elbow crunchBefore impact,Centripetal force = centrifugal force

After impact,Centripetal force > centrifugal force

Measured in Newton: 1N=0.225 lbs.Formula: Shock*2/R’.

Wrist crunch:Measured from centre of mass to the wrist.

Formula: Shock*2/R”(R” = distance from wrist to axis of rotation+

distance from axis to balance point.

Shock:Shock= difference between initial and final

kinetic energiesMeasured in joulesHigh shock is bad because it means high

elbow and wrist crunch.

Tip speed:Low tip speed is better than a high tip speed. better racquet control more accurate

Impulse reaction: Positive impulse is better since it leads to

less impact force at the elbow joint.

Factors to be considered to treat Tennis elbowEarly phase of rehabilitation R.I.C.E

PHASE 1 Goals: decrease inflammation and pain, promote tissue healing, and retard muscle atrophy. During the acute stage of your injury, whether the medial or lateral elbow is affected,follow the RICE principle:

Stretching:

Strengthening exercises:

Phase 2:

Grip strengthening,Pronation supination:

Phase 3:PHASE 3 Goals: Improve muscular strength and endurance, maintain

and improve flexibility, and gradually return to prior level of sport or high level activity.

15 minutes forehand only30 minutes forehand only30 minutes forehand and two handed backhand45 minutes forehand and backhand45 minutes all strokesServeFull playCompetitive play

Measures to avoid Tennis elbow:

ERGONOMICSEquipment modification Head size

• Weight of the racquet• Frame Stiffness• String tension • Racquet material• Grip size• Moveable mass racquet

Correct playing strategies

Grip size:

A grip too large or too small lessens control and promotes excessive wrist movement. To measure an appropriate grip size for your hand see image below

MOVEABLE MASS RACQUET:

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