Factores de rendimiento deportivo del jugador de pádel profesional

Resum

  ABSTRACT This doctoral thesis entitled “Performance factors in male professional padel” consists in several clearly differentiated objectives. Firstly, the theoretical framework of the work makes an introduction of padel sport throught several sections such as history and evolution, equipment, facilities and game regulations, aport technique through shots develpment and basic tactic aspects. The second point of the theoretical framework performs an analysis of the competition in the padel, the necessity and justification of this study, its applications to the performance field and some limitations of the works done in paddle. Subsequently, a series of papers related to performance factors in paddle are presented. In this sense, in article 1 a bibliographic review is carried out with the objective to identify, classify, and categorize the scientific literature in the field of padel that was indexed on the Web of Sciences, Dialnet, SportDiscus y Google Scholar. A total of 51 papers were found (33 articles and 16 contributions to congress). The next variables were: (a) language, (b) subject matter, (c) journals, (d) institutions, (e) publication year, (f) type of sample utilized and (g) number of authors per study. The characteristics of the studies that were found were: 84.3% were in Spanish, 27.4% were about game analysis, 26.22% were produced from University of Murcia, 42% used professional players and 68.3% were publications from the last two years. The aim of article 2 was to review current literature in padel competition requirements to identify the most common research topics and main findings. Literature was sought via an electronic search of four databases: Scopus, Web of Science, SportDiscus and Google Scholar. Systematic review principles were employed to identify and select potential eligible studies according to defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 124 studies were identified in the original database search, including 17 after the screening process. Then, articles were classified regarding topic (temporal structure, game actions and movements), year, sample and main results. On overall, results allow to define padel as an intermittent sport including interval efforts and repetitive short duration, moderate intensity actions. It was observed important differences in temporal structure and game styles regarding players’ gender and age. However, the majority of reviewed studies reported associations between isolated variables and behaviors during the competition, detecting a deficiency of holistic, dynamic and complex research in line with current methods and technics employed in match analysis. To conclude, findings exposed add relevant insights on padel scientific understanding, contributing in the design of future studies more complex and specific interventions according to competition requirements. The aim of article 3 was to analyse effectiveness at the net and its influence on match outcome regarding serve situation in professional padel players. The sample contained 2106 rallies from the 15 male matches of the 2013 Masters Finals World Padel Tour. Variables pertaining to game result, attack effectiveness, players’ location, and serve situation were registered through systematic observation. Statistical analyses included a series of binomial logistic regression analyses. Results showed that six out of ten rallies finished at the net. Furthermore, points scored at the net accounted for over 80% of the total. More importantly, playing effectively at the net increased the likelihood of winning the match. Specifically, winning players scored 34% more points and made 49% less unforced errors at the net than those who lost (P = 0.011). Additionally, scoring odds for winners were further increased when resting (OR = 1.65; P = 0.014) compared to losers. Therefore, controlling the net game seems to be a key factor in professional padel that distinguishes between winning and losing players. The purpose of article 4 was to analyse differences in rally length considering attack effectiveness, a players’ location and a game outcome in professional padel players. A total of 1527 rallies from 10 male matches of the 2013 Masters Finals of the World Padel Tour were registered through systematic observation. Data treatment included non-parametric mean comparisons (Mann-Withney and Kruskal-Wallis tests), and association analyses (crosstabs and Chi square analysis). In overall, 40% of unforced errors were made within the first 4 s of the rally, over 50% of points were scored between the 5th and 11th s, and 30% of forced errors occurred after the 11th –s of the rally. Hence, the ability to score in rallies of over 11 s duration and not making unforced errors within the first 4 s contributed to the rally outcome. More specifically, winners played longer rallies compared to losers (10.42 ± 7.77 s vs. 8.42 ± 6.43 s); particularly at the net, when scoring from the baseline (11.04 ± 7.64 s vs. 8.90 ± 5.41 s) and making forced (8.86 ± 7.44 s vs. 6.86 ± 6.24 s) and unforced errors (11.91 ± 9.47 s vs. 8.33 ± 6.92 s). The aim of article 5 was to assess the groundstroke accuracy in padel players depending of their level of play. A total of 12 right-handed male players (24.4  6.5 years old, 175.9  8.4 cm height, and 83.3  8.7 kg weight) participated in this study. The sample was divided into two groups according to their level of play: amateur (n=6) vs. advanced (n=6). We designed an on-court test in which participants had to perform four types of forehand strokes (i.e., “bajada de pared”, volley, “bandeja” and drive) during eight series of 30 seconds with 20 seconds of rest between series. Accuracy was measured by delimiting a number of target areas (including a scoring system) on where the ball should land. The total number of performed strokes, global accuracy and specific accuracy per type of stroke were recorded. Additionally, heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were registered. Results showed significantly higher accuracy scores for advanced-level players even when performing a similar number of strokes, especially in “bandeja” and drive. Although no differences were observed in HR records, RPE values were significantly lower for advanced-level players. Finally, the purpose of article 6 was to describe and compare the anthropometric and physical fitness attributes of male padel players by competitive level, and to establish an anthropometric and physical profile chart for elite male padel players. A total of 60 male padel players participated in this study. Atheletes were grouped according to competition level into an elite group (n=25) who competed in the Main Draw of the Padel Pro Tour, and a sub-elite group (n=35) who competed in a Qualifying Round or in a Pre-Qualifying Round for this tournament. 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, sum of 6 and 8 skinfolds, sum of lower limb skinfolds than the sub-elite group. Elite padel players also had significantly lower values for the percent body fat (%BF), and thigh fat area, and showed significantly higher values for the lumbar isometric strength than sub-elite group. Somatotype of the elite padel players could be defined as endo-mesomorphic (3.7–5.7–2.0). Mean (±SD) values of elite subjects were 51.3±12.2 kg for right hand and 43.6±8.8 kg for left hand strengths, 147.1±43.5 kg for lumbar isometric strength, 23.9±9.6 cm for flexibility, and 44.6±5.3 cm for vertical jump height, respectively. The results suggest that training and talent identification of padel players should focus on the anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness that were different between elite and sub-elite athletes. Normative data could help the coaches in the talent identification process and in the design of training programs that seek the maximum sports performance.