Proposition and validation of an evaluation tool of the skill training of young tennis players

Abstract

The aims of this study were to propose and to validate an evaluation evaluation of the practice of the technical skills of tennis players: the questionnaire of the technical training of tennis (ITTT). The ITTT was applied to three independent samples of young tennis players, between 13 and 16 years old, who were participating in official competitions organized by the Brazilian Federation of Tennis. The ITTT consisted of 12 questions about combinations of basic technical skills employed during a tennis match. These combinations were divided into two factors [definition strokes (GD), and preparation strokes (GP)]. The results obtained were satisfactory, providing internal consistency to the ITTT according to standard tests used in the literature (a = 0.81). The theorical framework of the ITTT presented factorial saturation levels between 0.84 and 0.52 for Factor 1 (GD), and between 0.81 and 0.58 for Factor 2 (GP). Finally, the content of the ITTT was considered valid (r adequacy = 0.68; c learness = 0.41). It was concluded that the ITTT presents measurement capabilities that are satisfactory and valid, allowing a rigorous evaluation of the technical training of young tennis players. Additional research is recommended to further evaluate the ITTT.