January 2007 -- Question: This might seem like an age-old question, but I still believe it needs to be addressed. Many of my club members think that the way to go in playing high-level tennis is with a lighter racquet and smaller grip. I know much has been written about this (even addressed somewhat in one of your recent columns), but can you please shed some light on this specific topic?
Answer: Yes, we did discuss it briefly in an earlier column on the prevention of tennis elbow. However, let’s deal with just the two parameters you address and see what the various experts in the field think about this.
Again, I consulted several people who I believe are the thought leaders in this area and I am pleased to say the majority of them got back to me with some intriguing ideas. Before going too much further, I should say that almost everyone said that an answer is not as simple as just discussing grip size and racquet weight; technique, strength and many other factors also play a role. However, let’s address your concerns in a systematic way, see what any research might show, and then offer some suggestions.
Before addressing this topic, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the historical and groundbreaking work done more than 25 years ago by Dr. Robert Nirschl. He developed a method of determining grip size by measuring the distance from the middle area of the hand to the end of the ring finger. The question that must be asked, however, is whether this technique is still valid given improved technologies, etc.
There is little question that the "old think" about racquet weight/mass and grip size was to have a lighter racquet and smaller grip so you could "whip" the racquet through the stroke. The lighter racquet, with a low moment of inertia (a body’s resistance to rotation), combined with a smaller grip, supposedly enabled the player to accelerate at tremendous speed into the impact zone. The question is this: Is it true that the racquet speed is faster with a lighter racquet and smaller grip and, if so, does one strike the ball more effectively? Then, we would be remiss if we didn’t ask the follow-up question: Are there any acute or chronic sports medicine implications that may result from using a lighter racquet and smaller grip?
Although there has really been no research to examine whether the swing is faster with a lighter racquet and smaller grip, there is recent research on grip size and its effect on the muscles of the forearm. In a study published in the July 26, 2006, issue of
The American Journal of Sports Medicine, George Hatch and a team of scientists studied 16 collegiate- level players hitting one-handed backhands with three different grip sizes. Fine wires were inserted into five forearm muscles and electromyography was used to study what happened within the forearm. They found that "there is no significant difference in muscle activity between small, recommended or big grip sizes in any (forearm) muscle tested." Although this finding seems to shoot some theories down, let’s be careful not to jump the gun on this topic. I want to continue to discuss this topic practically as it relates to you, the tennis-teaching professional.
Renowned orthopedist Ben Kibler had this perspective: A racquet that is too light will allow more rotation on off-center hits, putting more pronation stress on the arm, and a smaller grip size will cause too firm a grip, while a heavier racquet will require more strength in the shoulder to get it through the hitting zone. The study noted previously did not look at any effects on the shoulder. However, Dr. Kibler added that there is probably a balance somewhere, and that racquet variables such as those discussed here may not be the primary cause of any sports medicine problems, but can certainly add to the problem, and should be considered in an overall treatment program for arm injuries.
Todd Ellenbecker, physical therapist and USTA Sport Science Committee chairman, agreed, adding that some frames are so light that they lack the mass to defray some of the impact shock and stress that a slightly heavier racquet might provide. All of the experts mentioned, along with Paul Roetert (USTA managing director of player development), Scott Riewald (USTA administrator of sport science), and Dr. Gary Windler (member of the ATP Medical Services Committee), gave some very useful tips on what to consider when someone asks you about racquet weight/mass and grip size.
First things first, however. Tennis arm injuries are not just due to issues with the racquet. They can also be caused by poor mechanics (hitting late or leading with the elbow), limited upper limb strength, and squeezing the grip too hard (even if you don’t need to). Everyone noted that choosing a racquet is a very individual decision, involving many factors not even mentioned here (such as string type and tension). Play-testing racquets will be a huge help to most players. Then, regardless of the racquet, all players need instruction to adequately work on stroke technique and timing. Finally, you must prepare your body to play. Scott Riewald likened it to an athlete having joint surgery and being recommended to strengthen the muscles around the joint (if time and pain allow) to assist in rehabilitation. This strengthening prior to surgery is called pre-habilitation. Likewise, tennis players should get fit to play tennis.
The ATP’s Dr. Windler cautions us with some final thoughts. We often hear that we should use the heaviest racquet that we can "comfortably manage." Windler commented that there are too many variables involved to confidently make that very general statement.
In summary, and much to my concern, we still don’t know that much about the relationship between equipment technology and the human body. There is so much to learn, but my hope is that we continue to delve into questions like this, challenging the best minds both in and outside our game. Without coming across as trite, I am reminded of a day in 1978 while I was at the Vic Braden Tennis College. Someone asked Vic about racquet selection and he responded by saying that "most racquets are engineered way beyond our capabilities." Perhaps that’s still true. The challenge is to understand that relationship and engineer our equipment to our bodies. It’s just a thought.
Send questions to jgroppel@LGEPerformance.com.
