Establishing Performance Norms for Skill-Related Physical Fitness among Table Tennis Athletes

Abstract

Table tennis is a dynamic racket sport requiring exceptional skill-related physical fitness components including speed, agility, power, coordination, reaction time, and balance. This study aimed to establish performance norms for skill-related physical fitness parameters among competitive table tennis athletes and examine age and gender-related differences. A cross-sectional research design was employed with 96 table tennis athletes categorized into junior, senior, and elite groups. Physical fitness assessments included handgrip strength, vertical jump, horizontal jump, sprint tests, modified agility test, flexibility, and reaction time measurements. Results revealed significant age-related improvements in all physical parameters except flexibility, with males demonstrating superior performance in strength, power, and speed components while females showed higher flexibility scores. Performance norms were established across different age categories providing benchmark standards for talent identification and training program development. The study concludes that comprehensive physical fitness assessment protocols are essential for optimizing table tennis performance, and the established norms provide valuable reference standards for coaches and sports scientists working with Indian table tennis athletes.