Soreness

Andrew T Asked 15 years ago

Hi Alois; Jeff,

I am just noticing that two days after our first team practice my right leg is very sore and my left leg is barely sore at all. Is this normal for a forehand dominant right hander? Do you have any advice for coping with or preventing soreness in general?

Thanks,

Andrew T

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Andrew,

This is completely normal, because you are probably using you right leg to push off more on the forehand topspin.

Strength training is the answer to coping with this sort of soreness. The stronger those muscles are the better they will perform. Legs are a critical factor in Table Tennis.

The other thing to consider is that perhaps you are placing too much weight onyour right. Thinkabout balancing up alittle. While you are sore just practice the forehand topspin movement and see if you can do it will less soreness on the right leg. This will often just mean a slight shift in your balance from right leg to left leg.

Take a look at the Blogs on Strength and Conditioning. Weight Training Specifically for Table Tennis and Strength Conditioning for Table Tennis.

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Andrew T Posted 15 years ago

Thanks for the answer Alois. This is definitely a relief. I understand that I should do some strength training, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking "If my right leg is going to be used more, shouldn't I train it to be stronger." I know that this is silly of course, but the thought lingers (mainly because my leg is still sore 4 days later). I have read and will read the blog posts again, but are basic leg strengthening excersizes (squats, lunges, curls, extensions) good?

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago
Hi Andrew, Yes, basics like squats and lunges are good. Especially lunges and squats with a wide base are good. Think about how you can make it specific for the motion of your topspin.

Leslie Unknown Posted 15 years ago

Might I also add that while ppl commonly stretch before playing, I hardly see anyone stretch after playing. This could help reduce some of the soreness in your leg as well as your body in general.

Ji-Soo Woo Posted 15 years ago

Good suggestion Leslie

I definitely don't stretch enough after table tennis. At my age, I pretty much have some soreness somewhere all the time, so I'm used to it and generally ignore it. But I need to pay more attention. Love those hot showers after table tennis...they do wonders!

Soreness

Andrew T Asked 15 years ago

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Thoughts on this question

Andrew T Posted 15 years ago

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago
Hi Andrew, Yes, basics like squats and lunges are good. Especially lunges and squats with a wide base are good. Think about how you can make it specific for the motion of your topspin.

Leslie Unknown Posted 15 years ago

Ji-Soo Woo Posted 15 years ago

© PingSkills

Soreness

Andrew T Asked 15 years ago

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Thoughts on this question

Andrew T Posted 15 years ago

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago Hi Andrew, Yes, basics like squats and lunges are good. Especially lunges and squats with a wide base are good. Think about how you can make it specific for the motion of your topspin.

Leslie Unknown Posted 15 years ago

Ji-Soo Woo Posted 15 years ago

© PingSkills

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago
Hi Andrew, Yes, basics like squats and lunges are good. Especially lunges and squats with a wide base are good. Think about how you can make it specific for the motion of your topspin.