ITPA Launched to Improve Tennis Players
May 3, 2012
The International Tennis Performance Association (ITPA) today announced the launch of the company and website (itpa-tennis.org). The ITPA is the worldwide education and certification organization for trainers, coaches and specialists who are passionate about tennis-specific performance enhancement and injury prevention. The ITPA is the first of its kind in the tennis industry, and is aimed at strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, personal trainers, physical therapists, nutritionists, medical personnel, tennis coaches and other specialists working with tennis players of all ages.
Through quality, evidence-based education combined with accurate, professional credentialing overseen by a Certification Commission comprised of world leading experts, the ITPA offers three levels of tennis-specific certification: Tennis Performance Trainer (TPT), Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS) and Master Tennis Performance Specialist (MTPS). The educational curriculum is competency based, which ensures individuals who become certified have the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively train tennis athletes at all levels of the game. “Over 100 million people play tennis worldwide and the ITPA was established to ensure that these players receive the best training from ITPA certified individuals using the latest evidence-based practical information to improve on-court tennis performance while limiting the likelihood of injuries,” said Dr. Mark Kovacs, Ph.D., FACSM, FITPA, CTPS, CSCS*D, the ITPA Executive Director.
“The game of tennis is based on physicality — getting faster, stronger, quicker — and preventing injuries is why I spend so much time training,” said John Isner (world top 10 and Davis Cup hero, who is also a founding member of the ITPA Certification Commission). “The International Tennis Performance Association has the most research based information, and its leadership includes renowned experts which makes it the leading provider of tennis-specific training information anywhere in the world.”
As the physical aspects of tennis become more important, greater tennis-specific training and education is needed. “An organization like the ITPA has been needed for many years in the tennis industry,” said Todd Ellenbecker, DPT, FITPA, CTPS, founding chair of the ITPA Certification Commission. “Training tennis players requires specific knowledge about the unique movements and demands of tennis which is different to most other sports, and the ITPA has the role of bringing the most credible information, backed by science, to educate and certify individuals who work on improving physical performance and/or preventing injuries.”
The ITPA website (itpa-tennis.org) offers company information, educational offerings, certification materials, Certification Commission and Advisory Board members, ITPA partners and much more information on all aspects related to tennis-specific health and fitness. The ITPA Inner Circle Member-Only Website (itpamembers.org) offers members exclusive tennis-specific articles, information, webinars, videos and more. Online, ITPA can be accessed at facebook.com/itpatennis and twitter.com/itpatennis.
About International Tennis Performance Association (ITPA):
The ITPA is the worldwide education and certification organization for trainers, coaches and specialists who are passionate about tennis-specific performance enhancement and injury prevention. The education company offers a professional training and education process that establishes recognition through 3 certifications: Tennis Performance Trainer (TPT), Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS) and Master Tennis Performance Specialist (MTPS). The certification materials are overseen by the ITPA Certification Commission consisting of world experts in improving tennis performance and reducing injuries; visit the ITPA website at itpa-tennis.org.