Physical Parameters in Young Competitive Padel Players: Strength, Power, Agility, and Smash Velocity Assessments

The main objective of this study was to analyze the physical fitness parameters in young paddle tennis players. The sample consisted of 18 players (10 boys and 8 girls) aged between 12- and 16-years old belonging to the Technification program for minors of the Valencian Padel Federation. The players completed a test battery that consisted of different tests: CMJ jump, internal and external shoulder rotator strength, manual dynamometry, functional upper body strength (forehand throw, backhand throw, bilateral overhead throw. and serve throw), smash speed, 5x10m agility test and tapas test. Data analysis was carried out with SPSS software for Windows. The results showed that the boys obtained significantly higher values in the tests of dynamometry, speed, agility (tapas test) and throws (forehand, backhand, serve and over the head) and the girls obtained significantly higher values in the test of shoulder external rotation (non-dominant). At the same time, the force variables were significantly and positively related to each other. The CMJ values are also significantly and positively correlated with the variables of shoulder rotation, sprint speed, and medicine ball throws. Regarding agility, significant and positive correlations were found in the tapas test. However, the 5x10m test showed negative and significant correlations with some variables. It has been observed that the results obtained coincide with the results found in other studies carried out with players of the same age in other sports, such as tennis and soccer.