Differences between genders and competitive levels on technical-tactical parameters in padel: Implications for training

Abstract

Padel is a complex racket sport with a wide variety of technical actions and tactical possibilities. The aim was to compare the duration of the rallies, the number of shots, the shot frequency and the shot frequency between elite and amateur padel players of different genders, which is necessary to guide the training process. The results show that the duration of the rally is longer in elite padel than in amateur padel, both in men ( p < 0.001) and in women ( p < 0.001). In addition, according to gender, greater in women's padel than in men's padel, both in elite ( p < 0.001) and amateur ( p < 0.001). The number of shots per point is greater in elite padel than in amateur padel, both in men ( p < 0.001) and in women ( p < 0.001). Furthermore, according to gender, greater in women’s padel than in men’s padel in elite padel ( p < 0.001) and no significant differences were found in amateur padel ( p  =  0.800). The shot frequency is longer in elite padel ( X̅: 0.87) than amateur padel ( X̅: 0.82) and in men padel ( X̅: 0.86) than women padel ( X̅: 0.82), although no significant differences were found. Finally, the player on the right tends to hits the ball less than the player on the left (except women elite players). These results are highly relevant for coaches, as they allow them to guide training processes and quantify the specific workloads of the match based on the gender and level of the players.