Energy Expenditure of a Male and Female Tennis Player during Association of Tennis Professionals/Women's Tennis Association and Grand Slam Events Measured by Doubly Labeled Water

Abstract

Methods: Doubly labeled water assessed TEE during a 17-d period analyzed by days 1 to 7 (P1) and 7-17 (P2) which included a Women's Tennis Association/Association of Tennis Professionals tournament and culminated at the Wimbledon Championships. Daily training and match loads were assessed using a 10-point Borg scale multiplied by time. Match data were provided by video analysis and player tracking technology.

Results: The TEE during P1 for the female player was 3383 kcal·d-1 (63.5 kcal·kg-1) fat-free mass (FFM) with 362 points played over 241 min in three matches covering a distance of 2569 m, with an additional 875 min training. During P2, TEE was 3824 kcal·d-1 (71.7 kcal·kg-1) FFM with 706 points played over 519 min during five matches, covering a distance of 7357 m with an additional 795 min training. The TEE during P1 for the male player was 3712 kcal·d-1 (56.3 kcal·kg-1) FFM with 133 points played over 88 min during one match covering 1125 m, with an additional 795 min training. During P2, TEE was 5520 kcal·d-1 (83.7 kcal·kg-1) FFM with 891 points played over 734 min during five matches, covering 10,043 m, with an additional 350 min training.

Conclusions: This novel data positions elite tennis, played at the highest level, as a highly energetic demanding sport, highlighting that nutritional strategies should ensure sufficient energy availability during competition schedules.