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

Cristóbal Sánchez-Muñoz, José Joaquín Muros, Jerónimo Cañas, Javier Courel-Ibáñez, Bernardino Javier Sánchez-Alcaraz and Mikel Zabala
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Cristóbal Sánchez-Muñoz: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, 52071 Melilla, Spain
José Joaquín Muros: Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Jerónimo Cañas: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Javier Courel-Ibáñez: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Murcia, 30720 Murcia, Spain
Bernardino Javier Sánchez-Alcaraz: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Murcia, 30720 Murcia, Spain
Mikel Zabala: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-13

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.

Keywords: body composition; somatotype; anthropometry; physical fitness; padel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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