Download the USTA High Performance Profile
To ensure that elite level tennis players perform at their highest level requires extensive practice, physical training and grueling competition. Maintaining this high level of performance and meeting the demands of training, however, can ultimately lead to overuse injury. Regular physical testing, to identify areas of weakness, is an important part of optimizing performance and preventing injury.
The USA Tennis High Performance Profile (HPP) is a series of musculoskeletal tests that was assembled for the purpose of identifying muscular imbalances and pinpointing areas on which tennis players should focus their physical training. The information obtained from the HPP can be used to prevent injury and optimize on-court performance.
The HPP targets areas of the body that are frequently injured in tennis players and includes strength and flexibility tests for the upper body, lower body and the core. The specific tests that are performed are:
Strength Tests
. Scapular Stabilization Strength
. Shoulder External Rotation Strength
. Grip Strength
. Core Muscle Strength
. Hip and Leg Strength
Flexibility Tests
. Shoulder Internal/ External Rotation Flexibility
. Hip External Rotation Flexibility
. Hip Flexor Flexibility
. Hamstring Flexibility
. Quadriceps Flexibility
Perhaps the most important part of the testing is not the tests themselves, but rather what is done with the results of these tests. The HPP provides important information that can be used n the development of tennis-specific training programs for elite tennis players. A physical therapist or athletic trainer in your area should be able to perform the tests and give valuable feedback to your players, providing them with exercises or stretches that they can use to improve performance. Re-testing your players every 3-4 months is highly recommended and serves as another way to assess improvements.