Selection and Application of Sport-Specific Physical Fitness Exercises for Male Student Table Tennis Athletes at Danang Sports University, Vietnam

This study aimed to develop and implement a system of sport-specific physical fitness exercises for male student table tennis athletes at Danang Sports University, Vietnam. In response to the increasing physical demands of modern table tennis, the research addresses the need for athletes to develop superior conditioning to effectively execute complex technical and tactical skills during high-intensity competition. The study focused on key physical components that directly influence performance, including movement speed, speed-strength, speed endurance, motor coordination, flexibility, and agility. A multi-method approach was employed, incorporating documentary analysis, pedagogical observation, expert interviews, pedagogical testing, and a training experiment. Twelve male student-athletes were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. Sport-specific fitness was assessed using four validated tests: a diagonal ball-collection test, a weighted racket (0.5 kg) forehand-backhand coordination test, a two-minute single-rope skipping test, and a push-up test. The experimental training program, grounded in the principles of specificity, progressive overload, and systematic organization, was conducted over 12 weeks with two sessions per week. Results indicated that the exercise system significantly improved sport-specific physical fitness in the experimental group compared to the control group, with notable gains in speed-strength, motor coordination, and speed endurance. These findings highlight the importance of designing training exercises that closely mirror the specific movement patterns and physiological requirements of the sport. This study provides both theoretical and practical foundations for table tennis training and pedagogy at the university level, offering an applicable exercise system aimed at optimizing training effectiveness and enhancing the competitive performance of student-athletes. Article visualizations: