How can Modifications to the Tennis Racket Improve Long-Term Tennis Playing Experience?

Abstract

Tennis has been a changing sport over time from changes in the rules, playing styles, and advancements in equipment. Equipment changes have led to more participation in the game by making it more accessible, comfortable, and enjoyable for players of all levels.  Despite the advancements, the majority of tennis equipment focuses on performance enhancement rather than long-term health, ergonomic efficiency, and injury prevention. Additionally, there is a lack of data in showing how racquet material and design modifications impact biomechanics and health over extended periods of time. The goal for this research is to find out what changes are needed in the tennis racquet, the equipment needed to even play the game, to make it more accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for everyone.  This review overviews  research on current material and design used to make racquets and simulations with modifications in the design and material to encounter a better way to manufacture the equipment so that it is ergonomically optimized, injury reducing, and beneficial for a player's biomechanics.  The results emphasize racquet designs incorporating materials that dampen vibrations, and increasing the handling of a tennis racket, reducing mechanical strain while enhancing conformity and player longevity. These findings suggest certain changes in the tennis racket design have the ability to improve long term muscle and bone health while enhancing the playing experience for players of different physical abilities.