Skip to main content
Log in

How is table tennis in China successful?

Warum ist Tischtennis in China erfolgreich?

German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Chinese Table Tennis Team, founded in 1952, has won 230 gold medals in the world’s three major competitions (the Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Cup) and has made world-renowned achievements over the last 60 years. This paper explains the reasons for the success of Chinese table tennis from the perspectives of society, training and competition, as well as scientific research: (1) Due to historical reasons, China has chosen to focus on the development of the sport table tennis. Furthermore, table tennis has made important contributions to the development of Chinese society (for example, ping-pong diplomacy), which has given table tennis a special social status in China. (2) China has established an effective three-level training system, league system and coach system, and, through long-term training and competitions, the country has developed an effective method of technical and tactical training and preparation for world competitions. (3) With the assistance of scientific research, Chinese table tennis coaches and players can master the basic rules of table tennis, which is one of the important reasons for the success of Chinese table tennis.

Zusammenfassung

Die chinesische Tischtennismannschaft wurde 1952 gegründet. Sie hat in den drei weltweit bedeutendsten Wettbewerben (Olympische Spiele, Weltmeisterschaft und Weltcup) 230 Goldmedaillen gewonnen und über die vergangenen 60 Jahre Errungenschaften von Weltrang vorzuweisen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Gründe für den Erfolg von Tischtennis in China aus dem Blickwinkel von Gesellschaft, Training und Wettkampf wie auch aus der Perspektive der Forschung dargelegt: 1. Aus historischen Gründen fiel in China die Entscheidung, sich auf die Entwicklung der Sportart Tischtennis zu konzentrieren. Tischtennis hat erheblich zur Entwicklung der chinesischen Gesellschaft beigetragen (Beispiel Pingpong-Diplomatie), was dem Sport in China einen sozialen Sonderstatus eingebracht hat. 2. China hat ein wirkungsvolles dreistufiges Trainingssystem, Ligasystem und Trainersystem geschaffen. Darüber hinaus wurde durch langfristiges Training und Wettkämpfe eine effektive Methode des technischen und taktischen Trainings sowie der Vorbereitung für Wettkämpfe auf Weltniveau entwickelt. 3. Mit wissenschaftlicher Unterstützung schaffen es chinesische Tischtennistrainer und -spieler, die Grundregeln des Sports zu beherrschen, was einer der wichtigsten Gründe für den Erfolg von Tischtennis in China ist.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • An, Y. (1994). Exploration of early specialization training on juvenile table tennis players. Journal of Tianjin Institute of Physical Education, 9(4), 63–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X. (2016). The development of sports training in long-term plan—from classical periodization training theory. China Sport Science, 36(2), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.16469/j.css.201602001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CTTA (Chinese Table Tennis Association) (2016). The medium and long term plan of table tennis reserve talents training (2014–2024). http://www.ctta.cn/syzl/zcfgzq/2016/0802/110819.html. Accessed: 15 October 2018

  • CTTA (Chinese Table Tennis Association) (2015). Rules for the implementation of national table tennis player selection. http://www.ctta.cn/syzl/zcfgzq/2015/0706/110804.html. Accessed: 15 October 2018

  • CTTA (Chinese Table Tennis Association) (2018). Competition rules of 2018 national table tennis matches. http://www.ctta.cn/xhgg/ssxg/2018/0306/168015.html. Accessed: 15 October 2018

  • Cui, G., & Niu, L. (2016). The characteristics and development of CTTSL salary system evolution. Journal of Shandong Sport University, 32(1), 35–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong, S. (2017). Development review and significance of backhand twist skill to table tennis. Shandong Sports Science & Technology, 39(3), 50–53. https://doi.org/10.14105/j.cnki.1009-9840.2017.03.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, X., & Li, L. (1993). Discussion on the optimum ages for the junior table tennis player in the individual sport training in early stage. Chinese Sport Science and Technology, 29(11), 12–16. https://doi.org/10.16470/J.csst.1993.11.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, D., & Wu, W. (2016). History of ITTF presidents: Section of “I and Chinese table Tennis” oral history from Xu Yinsheng. Journal of Sports and Science, 37(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.13598/j.issn1004-4590.2016.02.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kong, J. (2008). The empirical study on different physical training influence on children attention stability. Beijing: Beijing Sport University. Master Dissertation

    Google Scholar 

  • Kong, L., Zhang, H., She, J., & Liu, R. (2016). Technique training monitoring for elite female table tennis players. Journal of Shanghai University of Sport, 40(1), 51–57. https://doi.org/10.16099/j.sus.2016.01.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, G. (2009). New beginning, new challenge. The conference of 2009 China table tennis association, Taicang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, H. (2013). Research on the influence of table tennis on the harmonious development of children’s body and mind. Mudanjiang: Mudanjiang Normal University. Master Dissertation

    Google Scholar 

  • Shu, S., Shen, J., & Hao, B. (2011). Research on China’s realizing and safeguarding its state interest in international sports realm. Journal of Chengdu Sport University, 37(7), 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Song, S., Wang, F., & Li, Y. (2002). The comparison research of the influence of table tennis on junior’s eyesight. Chinese Sport Science and Technology, 38(11), 18–19. https://doi.org/10.16470/J.csst.2002.11.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su, P. (2001). A study of the world table tennis technical innovations in the 20th century: combining a comparison between Chinese and foreign table tennis technical innovations. Academic Forum of Nan Du (Natural Sciences Edition), 21(3), 92–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun, F. (2012). Table tennis special training to the early children’s body form, function, physical impact study. Shandong: Shandong Institute of P.E. and Sports. Master Dissertation

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, F. (2015). Practical research on the pre-competition training of Chinese Men’s National Table Tennis Team. Journal of Shandong Sport University, 31(2), 95–100. https://doi.org/10.14104/j.cnki.1006-2076.2015.02.019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, H. (2004). Coaching principle to keep Chinese table tennis prosperous. Journal of Beijing Sport University, 27(2), 145–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, X. (2018). Table tennis exercise on the influence of vision in children of 6–9 years old age and the suggestion. Sichuan Sports Science, 37(4), 34–38. https://doi.org/10.13932/j.cnki.sctykx.2018.04.09.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, D., Lv, L., & Zhou, X. (2017). Research on the scale and infrastructure of table tennis reserve talents in Zhejiang Province. Sports Culture Guide, (5), 107–111.

  • Xiao, D., Yan, C., Zhang, X., & Xu, W. (2014). Development status and countermeasures of China table tennis coaches: Based on a census of registered table tennis coaches in county level and above sports organizations. Journal of Beijing Sport University, 37(11), 134–138 + 144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiong, Q., & Tang, H. (2015). Effects of different sports on the attention of school-age children. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care, 23(9), 965–967. http://www.cnki.net/kcms/detail/61.1346.R.20150720.1118.016.html.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, H., & Gao, S. (2011). Comparative study on the age feature of the elite men’s table tennis players in China and the world. Journal of Anhui Sports Science, 32(4), 41–43 + 47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao, S. (2012). The essence, current situation and development prospect of sports training periodization. China Sport Science, 32(5), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.16469/j.css.2012.05.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, C., & Zhou, X. (2015). Research on the influence of table tennis on adolescent health. Youth Sports, 29(9), 139–140 + 100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, H. (2009). Diagnosis and analysis of computer-aided on technique and tactics and its application in Beijing Olympic Game: taking table tennis as an example. China Sports Coaches, (4), 21–22.

  • Zhang, W. (2010). The “one China-principle”: from the contact between China and international olympic committee. Journal of Tianshui Normal University, 30(1), 41–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, C. (2014a). Discussion on several issues of early special training in table tennis. Bulletin of Sport Science and Technology, 22(12), 83–84 + 87. https://doi.org/10.3939/j.issn.1005-0256.2014.12.034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z. (2014b). The effect of the table tennis practiced on 7–8 years old myopia children’ visual acuity. Shanxi: Shanxi Normal University. Master Dissertation

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, H., Zhou, Z., & Yang, Q. (2018). Match analysis of Table Tennis in China: a Systematic Review [J]. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(23), 2663–2674. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2018.1460050.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, M., Shang, X., Zhang, Z. F., Zhang, Z. M., Chen, H., & Lv, B. (2015). Research and application of EEG evaluation system for table tennis players. Abstract of paper of the 10th national sports science congress of 2015, Hangzhou. (pp. 5017–5018).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Funding

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities in China (grant number 2017XZA217).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hui Zhang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

H. Zhang and Z. Zhou declare that they have no competing interests.

For this article no studies with human participants or animals were performed by any of the authors. All studies performed were in accordance with the ethical standards indicated in each case.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, H., Zhou, Z. How is table tennis in China successful?. Ger J Exerc Sport Res 49, 244–250 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-019-00583-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-019-00583-4

Keywords

Schlüsselwörter

Navigation