The purpose of this study was to analyse differences in rally length considering attack effectiveness, a players’ location and a game outcome in professional padel players. A total of 1527 rallies from 10 male matches of the 2013 Masters Finals of the World Padel Tour were registered through systematic observation. Data treatment included non-parametric mean comparisons (Mann-Withney and Kruskal-Wallis tests), and association analyses (crosstabs and Chi square analysis). In overall, 40% of unforced errors were made within the first 4 s of the rally, over 50% of points were scored between the 5th and 11th s, and 30% of forced errors occurred after the 11th –s of the rally. Hence, the ability to score in rallies of over 11 s duration and not making unforced errors within the first 4 s contributed to the rally outcome. More specifically, winners played longer rallies compared to losers (10.42 ± 7.77 s vs. 8.42 ± 6.43 s); particularly at the net, when scoring from the baseline (11.04 ± 7.64 s vs. 8.90 ± 5.41 s) and making forced (8.86 ± 7.44 s vs. 6.86 ± 6.24 s) and unforced errors (11.91 ± 9.47 s vs. 8.33 ± 6.92 s). Such knowledge may have implications in the design and structure of specific training programmes for padel players according to competition requirements.

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The aims of this study were to describe and compare the anthropometric and physical fitness attributes of male padel players according to their competitive level, and to establish a functional anthropometric and physical profile. A total of 60 males participated in the present study. Athletes were grouped according to competition level, forming an elite group (n = 25) and a subelite group (n = 35). Anthropometric variables, hand grip and lumbar isometric strength, flexibility, and lower-body muscular strength were measured. Elite padel players were significantly older and showed significantly lower values for the thigh and calf skinfolds, the sum of six and eight skinfolds, and the sum of lower-limb skinfolds than the subelite group. Elite padel players also had significantly lower values than subelite players for body fat percentage and thigh fat area, whilst showing significantly higher values for lumbar isometric strength. Somatotype of the elite padel players could be defined as endo-mesomorphic. Results suggest that training and talent identification of padel players should focus on their anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness, with these being different between elite and subelite athletes. Normative data could help coaches throughout the talent identification process and in the design of training programs when seeking to optimise sports performance.

This aim of this study was to analyze serve and return statistics in elite padel players regarding courtside and gender. The sample contained 668 serves and 600 returns of serves from 14 matches (7 male and 7 female) of the 2019 Masters Finals World Padel Tour. Variables pertaining to serve (number, direction, court side and effectiveness), return of serve (direction, height, stroke type and effectiveness) and point outcome were registered through systematic observation. The main results showed that the serving pair had an advantage in rallies, under 8 shots in women and under 12 shots in men. Statistical differences according to gender and court side were found. Female players execute more backhand and cross-court returns and use more lobs than men. On the right court, serves are more frequently aimed at the “T” and more down the line returns are executed when compared to the left side. Such knowledge could be useful to develop appropriate game strategies and to design specific training exercises based on actual competition context.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue valorar la precisión de diferentes golpes de pádel en una situación de juego prolongada y variada, estudiando las diferencias en función del nivel de juego de los jugadores. Se realizó un estudio sobre una muestra de 12 jugadores diestros masculinos (24.4 ± 6.5 años de edad, 175.9 ± 8.4 cm de altura, y 83.3 ± 8.7 kg de peso), clasificados en dos grupos en función de su nivel de juego: iniciación (n=6) y avanzados (n=6). Se diseñó un test para evaluar la precisión del golpeo de los jugadores, incluyendo la sucesión de cuatro golpes (bajada de pared de derecha, volea de derecha, bandeja, derecha de fondo) realizados en ocho series de 30 segundos de duración, con 20 segundos de descanso entre series. Para valorar la precisión de los golpeos se delimitaron una serie de zonas objetivo (con diferentes puntuaciones) donde la pelota debía botar para cada uno de los golpes. Se contabilizaron las puntuaciones obtenidas para cada tipo de golpe y en total, así como el número de golpeos realizados. Se registró, además, la frecuencia cardiaca (FC) y la percepción individual del esfuerzo (RPE). Los resultados mostraron puntuaciones totales significativamente mayores para los jugadores de nivel avanzado realizando el mismo número de golpeos, especialmente en la derecha de fondo y en la bandeja. Aunque no se encontraron diferencias en los registros de FC, los valores de RPE fueron significativamente menores en los jugadores avanzados. Estos datos pueden resultar de utilidad para los técnicos de pádel y el diseño de los entrenamientos.

El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una revisión sistemática sobre los requerimientos de la competición en pádel para identificar las variables más estudiadas y sus principales resultados. Se realizó una búsqueda electrónica en cuatro bases de datos: Scopus, Web of Science, SportDiscus y Google Scholar. Se utilizaron principios de revisión sistemática para identificar y seleccionar posibles estudios elegibles de acuerdo a los criterios de inclusión y exclusión definidos. De un total de 124 artículos identificados en la búsqueda inicial, se incluyeron 17 después del proceso de selección. Los artículos se clasificaron en función de la temática de estudio (estructura temporal, acciones de juego y movimientos en pista), año, muestra y principales resultados. En general, los resultados indican que el pádel es un deporte de carácter intermitente, con esfuerzos interválicos, provocados por acciones repetitivas de corta duración y moderada intensidad. Se han encontrado importantes diferencias en aspectos temporales y del estilo de juego en función del género y la edad de los jugadores. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los trabajos revisados analizan las relaciones entre una serie de variables o comportamientos asilados durante la competición, encontrando carencias de investigaciones holísticas, dinámicas y complejas de acuerdo a los métodos y técnicas actuales utilizadas en el estudio del análisis de la competición. En conclusión, los resultados expuestos contribuyen al desarrollo del conocimiento científico en pádel, permitiendo el diseño de futuros estudios más complejos e intervenciones específicas que respondan a las necesidades de la competición en este deporte. Abstract. We aimed to review current literature on padel competition requirements to identify the most common research topics and main findings. Literature was sought via an electronic search of four databases: Scopus, Web of Science, SportDiscuss and Google Scholar. Systematic review principles were employed to identify and select potential eligible studies according to defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 124 studies were identified in the original database search, which were reduced to 17 after screening process. Then, articles were classified based on topic (temporal structure, game actions, and movements), year, sample, and main results. Overall, results allow defining padel as an intermittent sport including interval efforts provoked by repetitive actions of short duration and moderate intensity. Important differences in temporal structure and game styles were observed regarding players’ gender and age. However, the majority of the reviewed studies reported associations between isolated variables and behaviors during competition, detecting a deficiency of holistic, dynamic and complex research in line with current methods and techniques employed in match analysis. To conclude, the presented findings add relevant insights on the scientific understanding of padel, contributing to the design of future studies focused on more complex and specific interventions in accordance with competition requirements.