Effects of Resistance Band Training on Forehand Topspin Accuracy in Malaysian Junior Table Tennis Players

Introduction: The forehand topspin is a fundamental stroke in table tennis, yet limited research has explored how physical conditioning affects its accuracy. This study addresses a gap in the literature by investigating whether a six-week resistance band training program, integrated with table tennis drills, can enhance forehand topspin accuracy and control in adolescent athletes during a critical period of neuromuscular development. Objective: To investigate the effects of a six-week resistance band training program integrated with sport-specific drills on forehand topspin accuracy in Malaysian adolescent table tennis players, and to assess changes in upper and lower limb strength, muscular endurance, and core stability. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in forehand topspin accuracy total score (p = .036), grip strength (p = .015), push-up repetitions (p = .014), core stability (p < .001), and burpee endurance (p = .035) compared to the control group. Conclusions: Resistance band training effectively enhances stroke accuracy and physical performance metrics in adolescent table tennis players. Integrating such training with regular practice may support neuromuscular development and improve competitive performance during a critical stage of motor learning.