Influence of Playing Site and Weekly Training Frequency on Physical Performance in Elite Padel Players

Background/Objectives: The physical and physiological characteristics of padel players are essential for appropriate training load prescription; however, this area remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse physical and physiological differences in male padel players according to playing side and weekly training frequency. Methods: Fourteen high-level male players competing in professional circuits or top-level regional competitions participated in this cross-sectional study. Results: Vertical jump performance differed significantly between the countermovement jump (CMJ) and the Abalakov jump (ABK) (p<0.001), with lower values in the CMJ (40.98 cm) compared with the ABK (46.96 cm). Isometric handgrip strength showed significant inter-limb differences (p<0.001), with greater force in the dominant hand (49.08 kg) than in the non-dominant hand (44.22 kg). Mean completion time in the agility T-test was 10.40 s (95% CI: 10.06–10.74 s). The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test showed a mean distance of 404.28 m, corresponding to an estimated VO₂max of 50.79 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹. Playing side significantly affected Yo-Yo performance and estimated VO₂max (p=0.036), with higher values in left-side players. Although no significant differences were found in handgrip strength according to playing side, both dominant and non-dominant hands showed large effect sizes (d = −0.93 and −0.88, respectively), with low coefficients of variation, particularly in right-side players. Weekly training frequency did not significantly influence any variable (p>0.05), showing trivial to small effect sizes. Conclusions: These findings help characterise the physical and physiological profile of high-level padel players and provide practical reference values to support training prescription and performance monitoring.