Biomechanical perspective of table tennis for health, injury prevention, and technical-tactical analysis

Abstract

Table tennis is a racket sport that demonstrates high technical-tactical, biomechanical, and physiological complexity. It presents important variations that are determined by the style of playing and gender, which fundamentally conditions the achievement of sport performance. The objective of this article is to analyze the most relevant aspects related to performance, musculoskeletal health, and sports prophylaxis. Technical-tactical and functional aspects of the movement are addressed; all this based on the current literature on table tennis biomechanics. The aspects analyzed range from dynamics of the game time and the importance of the first strokes of the rally, the most frequently used techniques or types of strokes that influence biomechanical, physiological, and injury prevention responses, to the most significant differences identified according to the sex of the athlete. To conclude, the importance of structuring training processes is identified, having as a premise a comprehensive and individualized approach, which considers technical and tactical aspects, playing styles, physiological needs, and biomechanical analysis. Likewise, they could guide training and performance processes toward the prevention of injuries and optimization of sports performance.