Digital Transformation of Sports Testing: A Tablet-Based Assessment Platform for Young Tennis Players

บทคัดย่อ

Background: Accurate and efficient management of testing data is essential in youth tennis training. Traditional paper forms and spreadsheet calculations are still widely used but remain time-consuming, error-prone, and difficult to integrate into systematic monitoring. Although digital tools are increasingly adopted in sports science, limited evidence exists on their operational advantages over manual methods in real coaching environments.

Objectives: This study evaluated three data-management workflows—(1) manual recording with later Excel entry, (2) direct Excel input, and (3) a web-based automatic platform—implemented at the Srichaphan Tennis Academy. The goal was to compare their accuracy, efficiency, error rate, and user satisfaction during physical-skill assessments of young tennis players.

Methods: Twenty players (14 boys, 6 girls; aged 8–12 years) were tested monthly, including before and during a three-month training period (four sessions in total). Three standardized tests were used: zigzag run (agility), push-up test (upper-body endurance), and forehand stroke test (technical skill). Data were entered and analyzed through each workflow by three trained coaches. Efficiency (time per player), transcription errors, and satisfaction      (5-point Likert scale) were compared across systems.

Results: The web-based platform demonstrated the highest operational efficiency, reducing data-entry and computation time by 58 % compared with manual + Excel recording and by 37 % compared with Excel-only entry. Error rates decreased from 11.5 % (manual) to 4.3 % (Excel) and 0 % (web-based). Overall user satisfaction averaged 4.7 ± 0.5, with the highest ratings for ease of use and error-free reporting. All three coaches confirmed smoother workflow and faster feedback generation with the digital platform.

Conclusion: The results confirm that transitioning from paper-based and semi-manual Excel workflows to a fully web-based system markedly improves accuracy, efficiency, and usability in tennis performance assessment. Rather than altering test content, the digital transformation streamlined data handling and eliminated transcription errors. The findings highlight the practical value of digital platforms for modernizing athlete monitoring and supporting evidence-based coaching in youth sport contexts.