Long distance running, good for tennis? Why to participate in endurance training?

I have encountered a lot of discussion over whether long distance running is good for tennis players or not, does it benefit them directly in any way? If so, do the benefits outweigh the costs? What are the potential costs and benefits?

This entry will only serve to introduce the topic of aerobic training, bring up some key points, which will be examined in more detail down the road.

Though this is a complex topic, here are a few things to think about, acute and chronic physiological changes induced by aerobic and endurance training. That is what happens to the body during and after one or repeat bouts of aerobic training.

Then, I would like to also explore some of the more significant adaptations that might potentially effect tennis athletes, why and how these adaptations can be helpful. To name a few:

• Changes in mitochondria and capillary, predominantly in slow twitch muscle tissue.
• Changes in bone density and tendon strength (stiffness, is that bad?).
• Changes in cardiovascular and pulmonary system.
• VO2 max – is it relevant?
• O2 deficit during exercise transitioning, how fast can aerobic processes kick in (relevant? -lactate generation).
• Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption or EPOC (what is that and why is it relevant ?).
• Lactate threshold (how fast do we get there, can this be improved? Why?)
• Lactate clearance through lactate shuttle (from fast twitch muscle to slow twitch via blood).
• Can “it” effect memory -ie beneficial for study (what is epinephrine)?

So, changes happen to all of the above, as we train for endurance. What is more, we should also at some point define terms such as endurance or aerobic training, as that can range anywhere from a marathon to a 1500 meter run or does even HIIT qualify? Defining the energy systems (metabolic pathway) of the body will be helpful to this end.

What about the cons of cardio?

Let''s walk around that subject in the next blog.

Anyways, this is not an easy subject, hence I would like to start covering it slowly in several segments, each starting with the examination of a single topic.

“That's all I wrote” for now.

Nandor Veres JR