Physical fitness of amateur paddle players: comparisons between different competitive levels

Abstract

Padel is widely practiced racket sport, although there is scanty data comparing competitive levels and differences between the sexes. Physical fitness of padel players was compared, according to sex and level. The research involved 35 people (age = 29.6 ± 2.9 years, practice = 6.8 ± 4.9 years), 13 of the first, 15 of the second and 7 of the third category. Aerobic power (PAM) with Yo-YoIR1, agility with handball agility specific test (HAST), muscular power with vertical jump and 3kg medicineball throw, and handgrip endurance strength (HES) with dynamometer were measured. The variables PAM, HAST, vertical jump, throttle and FIPM were significantly different between genders. In addition, in the male category, players in the upper category had lower heart rate scores after Yo-YoIR1 as well as distance traveled, throttle and FIPM maximum, while in females the superior category was better in the variables distance traveled in Yo-YoIR1 and vertical jump. On the other hand, in both sexes, players of superior categories presented greater time of practice. Amateur padel players with a higher competitive level do not present higher physical fitness, but present longer practice time.

Gender Differences in Neuromuscular, Haematological and Urinary Responses during Padel Matches

“…While playing high-intensity intermittent sports, recovery periods play a key role in limiting fatigue [ 21 ]. Moreover, the gender differences found for the jump variables agree with those previously obtained in padel players, regardless of their level [ 4 , 51 ]. The significantly higher height/power values obtained by men in jumps versus women might be due to anthropometric and strength differences between both genders, a circumstance that also appears not only with high-level tennis and badminton players but also with other sport disciplines [ 52 ].…”

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

“…The only exception was seen with lumbar isometric strength, which was greater in elite padel players (147.1 ± 43.5 kg vs. 126.9 ± 30.4 kg). Similar physical fitness between highand low-level players has been previously observed in nonprofessional padel samples [12,13]. This appears to indicate that technical, tactical, and psychological aspects should become topics of interest in padel performance training and assessment.…”

“…Particularly in racket sports, body kinematics and anthropometric parameters are associated with greater success [10,11]. Furthermore, recent research suggests that physical fitness has little impact on determining padel players' performance at nonprofessional levels [12,13]. This may be due to the less demanding competitive requirements at a recreational level.…”

Performance Outcome Measures in Padel: A Scoping Review

“…Various studies have researched physical performance in padel through different standardized tests [ 8 , 42 , 64 , 67 , 87 ]. Significant differences ( p < 0.05) have been found between sexes in distances covered during YOYO IR1, vertical jump (VJ), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), Abalakov jump (ABK), medicine ball throwing (MBT), maximum handgrip isometric strength (MHIS), resistance handgrip isometric strength (RHIS), 10 m sprint, and 20 m sprint [ 58 , 65 , 67 , 87 ].…”

“…The authors hypothesized that high level players would have better technical and tactical development to compensate for this limitation. As for women, high level players covered more distance during YOYO IR1 and jumped higher in VJ than medium level players ( p < 0.05), showing better cardiovascular fitness and lower body strength [ 58 ]. Courel-Ibáñez and Herrera-Gálvez [ 42 ] found in high level players a better groundstroke accuracy ( p < 0.05) and a better heart rate recovery after 60 s ( p < 0.05) than low level players.…”