Rotator Cuff Strength, Recovery and Rotation Ratios in Tennis Players

Fredrik compares eccentric external rotation strength to the brakes on a car: as serve speed rises toward 200 km/h, the infraspinatus must slow the arm down. Citing Tim Gabbett, he argues for balancing sport-specific capacity with general strength through presses, pulls and lateral shoulder work. Most players do daily elastic band external rotation, yet injury rates have not changed. Rapid eccentric contractions may need 48 to 72 hours to recover, so he suggests periodizing the week, loading the shoulder a couple of times a week, as with eccentric hamstring programs, and allowing more rest. He walks through his group's handheld dynamometer reference values for young players, presented as percentiles. A key warning: weaker players can show better internal to external rotation ratios simply because they are weak in both directions. Set the standard for internal rotation first and build external rotation relative to it. Anterior shoulder pain may reflect a weak rotator cuff, with the long head of biceps taking over deceleration.