Typically, wheelchair racers come to mind when we hear the term "disabled tennis." However, an increasing number of gamers with disabilities are participating in the game in the same way as normal players. The definition of disabled tennis, the rules of the game, and some of the difficulties faced by players with limited mobility will all be covered in this article.
A great method to improve your physical and mental fitness is through adaptive sports. This could be advantageous for all aspects of your life. Nevertheless, it's crucial to get the appropriate tools. You'll need a track chair and racing gloves for wheelchair racing.
In the United Kingdom, wheelchair racing is governed by the British Wheelchair Racing Association. Tryouts and regular training camps are organized by it. Additionally, the organization supports wheelchair sports participation and equality.
Wheelchair racers compete over distances ranging from 100 meters to marathons, depending on the severity of their disabilities. The Summer Paralympics include these competitions.
The first matchup between the British and the Netherlands took place in 1952. The wheelchairs used by the competitors were large and weighted anywhere from 7 to 18 kg. The common wheelchair frame material is an alloy of titanium and aluminum. Welded joints also make it possible for a chair to be lighter.
Sports for rehabilitation started to take off in the United States in the late 1940s. As more competitions were held, specialized racing chairs began to emerge.
A wheelchair tennis player must use their mobility handicap to drive their wheelchair during a match. A considerable amount of talent and finesse are needed for this. In order to ensure a smooth and fair game, a few regulations must be followed.
The first step for a player is to choose which of the two seats they will be playing from. To do this, one must enlist the opponent's cooperation. The player may receive a penalty if the opponent declines.
A player must select between the Open class, which is designed for athletes with lower limb disabilities, and the Quad class, which is designed for players with upper limb impairments, in order to participate in the game. Additionally, wheelchairs with specific features are available for use by athletes with disabilities. The regulations for these wheelchairs are a little different than those of a typical tennis court.
The most thorough sources indicate that there are more than a few hundred tournaments held worldwide, despite the lack of a regulating body or set of regulations for the sport. The Paralympic Games, which are held every four years, feature the most competitive competitions. For this game, there are six medal events. A wheelchair tennis player might anticipate playing three sets in a match.
Wheelchair tennis still has a greater injury rate than field events, despite being low-risk and inexpensive. In fact, at the 2012 Summer Paralympics, the overall injury incidence rate for wheelchair tennis competitors was 12.7 per 1000 athlete days. The incidence of acute and overuse injuries was 77% and 47%, respectively, compared to the field events.
Players for wheelchair tennis must have a medical diagnosis of total functional disability, paralysis, or amputation. There are singles and pairs divisions in the sport. The game moves quickly. Players kick the ball up and hit it against the net to serve. To get the ball over the net and into a diagonal box is the player's objective. It is a fault if the player touches the net.
The research was carried out in the summer of 2014 in Zagreb, Croatia. It included 15 participants, most of whom were between the ages of 22 and 50. Data was gathered using a semi-structured interview. The participant's overall traits, motivations for participating, and future goals were the main topics of the questionnaire. The research question, "How does wheelchair tennis improve the quality of life of tennis players with disabilities?" was the focus of the interview questions.
Tennis players with disabilities gain benefits from social contacts and increased cognitive ability in addition to physical activity. Tennis also aids in the development of a positive self-concept and self-image.