Technical performance and aerobic fitness in Padel amateurs players with different practice levels

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the precision of low and high-level padel players in a closed task and its relationships with the heart rate responses to the exercise. A sample of 49 male players of two practice levels (age, 36.73±1.50) was selected to participate in this study. Technical performance was analysed through the Groundstroke Padel Accuracy Test (GPA) and heart rate during and after the task was monitored. There were no statistically significant differences in the GPA test, but even so the results showed a heart rate recovery at 60 and 120 sec were significantly higher for the high-level group [HRR1, U = 189, p = 0,026, d = 0,32 (moderate effect); HRR2, U = 186,50, p = 0,023 d = 0,32 (moderate effect)]. We conclude that it would be relevant to measure other product variables in order to make this field test (GPA) even more effective in the evaluation the real technical level of padel players. Additionally, high-level players recuperate faster after the effort, which appear to indicate that they may be better aerobically prepared.