Anthropometric and Physical Fitness Profiles of World-Class Male Padel Players

Abstract

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.

Physical Fitness in Young Padel Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The increasing interest in padel has led to many studies concerning match activity [ 6 , 9 , 11 , 12 ], players’ movements and distance covered on the court [ 4 , 13 , 14 ], game technical-tactical dynamics [ 5 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ], fitness status [ 19 , 20 , 21 ], and injuries [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. However, most of the available literature involved professional players or adult samples and little is known about young padel competition particularities.…”

Analysis of Serve and Serve-Return Strategies in Elite Male and Female Padel

“…Regarding gender, men won a significantly higher percentage of points when serving than women (62.5% vs. 48.5%), as happens in other sports like tennis, where men obtain 14% more points with their serve than their female counterparts [34,35]. These gender differences may be due to the fact that male players are taller and can jump higher, which would enable them to sustain for a longer period of time an offensive position at the net [36,37]. However, deeper analysis and complementary variable collection is encouraged for a more relevant advance in this knowledge.…”

Analysis of Performance Parameters of the Smash in Male and Female Professional Padel

“…Gender differences showed that men made a significantly higher percentage of winners than women (10% more topspin smashes and almost 20% more flat smashes). These results could be due to the anthropometric and strength differences between elite men and women players [ 37 , 38 ]. The results of these studies show that men padel players are taller, with greater muscle percentage and higher levels of vertical jump and grip strength than the women players, which would allow them to use the powerful smash successfully in positions further from the net.…”