Physical Fitness and Upper Limb Asymmetry in Young Padel Players: Differences between Genders and Categories

Francisco Pradas, Víctor Toro-Román, Miguel Ángel Ortega-Zayas, Duber Mary Montoya-Suárez, Bernardino Javier Sánchez-Alcaraz and Diego Muñoz
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Francisco Pradas: ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain
Víctor Toro-Román: School of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Miguel Ángel Ortega-Zayas: ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain
Duber Mary Montoya-Suárez: ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain
Bernardino Javier Sánchez-Alcaraz: Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Murcia, 30700 Murcia, Spain
Diego Muñoz: School of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the physical fitness and upper body asymmetries of young padel players aged between 13 and 16 years and to determine the possible differences between genders and categories. A total of 60 padel players were divided into four groups: under-14 male ( n = 15; age: 13.75 ± 0.45 years; height: 1.64 ± 0.07 m; weight: 54.7 ± 8.3 kg), under-14 female ( n = 15; age: 13.75 ± 0.44 years; height: 1.60 ± 0.05 m; weight: 51.5 ± 6.0 kg), under-16 male ( n = 15; age: 15.44 ± 0.51 years; height:1.71 ± 0.04 m; weight: 63.88 ± 6.2 kg) and under-16 female ( n = 15; age:15.46 ± 0.52 years; height:1.63 ± 0.05 m; weight: 55.08 ± 3.6 kg). Handgrip strength, ischiosural flexibility, gestural speed of the dominant arm, vertical jump, cardiorespiratory capacity, lateral movement, lateral acceleration and reaction time were measured. Male players showed better results in manual grip strength, vertical jump power, cardiorespiratory capacity and lateral movement ( p < 0.05). Moreover, males presented a higher percentage of asymmetry in upper limb strength. Female players showed better reaction time and greater flexibility ( p < 0.05). Regarding the differences between categories, the under-16 players showed greater flexibility, gestural speed, vertical jump power, cardiorespiratory capacity and lateral movement compared to the under-14 players. These results can be used as reference values for coaches/physical trainers of younger categories to improve health control and physical performance planning.

Keywords: racket sports; fitness; under-14; under-16; male; female (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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