Abstracts

Methods: Twelve nationally ranked male DC (15.6 ±1.1 yrs, 180.7 ± 9.6 cm, 69.8 ±11.7 kg) and 59 RS (15.2 ± 0.6 yrs, 176.3 ± 7.7cm, 62.4 ± 8.6
kg) participated in the study. All subjects performed the standardized fitness test battery of the German Tennis Federation including strength,
upper body power, speed, jumping ability and tennis specific endurance. A standardized interview was undertaken for data evaluation on training
characteristics of a normal training week (out-of competition) including workload of tennis training (TT), physical training (PT), total training workload
(TTW), ratio TT/PT and training history.
Results: Significant differences (p< 0.05) were found in most of all physical performance test between DC and RS (hand grip: 55.2 vs 44.7 kg;
back-extension: 40 vs 31 repetitions; countermovement jump: 40.7 vs 37.6 cm; serve velocity: 184.3 vs 171.2 km/h; medicine ball throw: forehand
1457 vs 1282 cm, backhand 1372 vs 1233 cm). Training characteristics differed significantly (p< 0.05) between both groups. DC showed higher
values in TTW (22.7 vs 14.4 h/wk), TT (15.1 vs 9.8 h/wk), PT (7.6 vs 4.5 h/wk); whereas no differences were found for ratio TT/PT and parameters
of training history. In DC statistically significant relationship was found between TTW and tennis ranking (r= -0.78, p< 0.01).
Discussion: Results obtained indicate a higher physical performance level, especially in the upper body power and strength, as well as higher
training workloads in DC. Although sport specific technical skills are predominant factors, we can suggest that the increasing highly competitive
nature of youth tennis require notably high demands of physical fitness for competing on elite level. Given this distribution of limiting performance
factors, it is of great importance to organize the fitness training as efficient as possible saving time for technical/tactical training, nevertheless high
training volumes are indispensable for elite performance level.
116 Low Back Pain in German Elite Hockey Players
D. Fett 1 * • K. Felker 1 • P. Platen 1
1
Ruhr-University Bochum, Department of Sports Medicine and Sports Nutrition, GER
Introduction: Back pain (BP) and especially low back pain (LBP) is a frequent health problem in the general population, in sports and also in field
hockey resulting in enormous costs for the health care system. Detailed data on prevalence of LBP in German sportsmen and women is rare.
From a biomechanical perspective movements in field hockey are characterized by forward flexion and rotation of the trunk. The forward flexed
posture must be maintained during most of the duration of a game or training session causing high spinal loads. This might be related with the
development of pain in the lower back. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of LBP in German elite field hockey players to clarify
associations between hockey-specific posture and pain generation.
Methods: A self-reported standardized and validated questionnaire based on the Nordic questionnaire by Kuorinka et al. (1987) was send to all
members of the A-, B-, C- and D-squad of the national hockey team and the members of the State-of-Northrhine-Westfalia junior hockey team.
The questionnaire includes several items on BP and LBP. Lifetime, 12-month, 3-month and point prevalence of LBP were determined. 107 field
hockey players (47.8%) responded (m=44, f=51; mean±SD: 19.3±4.5yrs., 174.1±9.2cm, 66.3±10.3kg). X2-statistics were used to determine
differences in LBP between gender, and the pearson correlation coefficient was used for analyzing the effect of age.
Results: The reported lifetime prevalence of LBP in field hockey players was 72.3%. The 12-month, 3-month and point prevalence of LBP were
64.5%, 44.0% and 27.8%. Comparison of gender showed no significant differences. By analyzing the effect of the athletes age on prevalence of
LBP, significant correlation were found for lifetime prevalence (r=0.28, p