REF-617 · Martín-Miguel, Escudero-Tena, Sánchez-Alcaraz, Courel-Ibáñez & Muñoz, 2024 · International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, · Paper
Systematic review of padel (33 studies): competition lactate stays in the aerobic-transition zone (peaks 2.40 mmol/L women, 3.38 men), HR max rises with level in men (155 → 170 → 189 bpm) but not women (~178), ~3000 m covered per match
A young, descriptive evidence base calling for individualised preparation
Key Findings
Search of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science; 33 articles covering physiological, physical and anthropometric parameters.
Heart rate varies by sex and level: men amateurs show a lower maximum HR than semi-professionals and professionals (154.75 vs 169.72 vs 188.6 bpm); women hold a consistent maximum HR across levels (~178 bpm).
Competition lactate indicates effort within the aerobic-transition zone, peaking at 2.40 mmol/L in women and 3.38 mmol/L in men.
Oxygen consumption during play sits around 76.3% of VO₂max, rising to 95.1% at peak exertion.
Biochemical/haematological markers differ by sex (men higher basal values); competition lowers certain elements such as copper and zinc.
Physically, men show greater jump height, strength and maximum speeds, with significant lateral movement; average distance per match ~3000 m, with higher-level players covering less.
Anthropometry: men taller, mesomorphic-endomorphic; women endomorphic-mesomorphic.
Conclusion: training should be tailored to player characteristics; more research is needed to individualise physical preparation.
Practical Application
Across 33 padel studies, competition lactate peaked at only 2.40 (women) and 3.38 mmol/L (men) — aerobic-transition territory — while oxygen uptake averaged ~76% of VO₂max with 95% peaks and HR ceilings climbed with playing level in men, so padel is a moderate-to-high aerobic, low-lactate sport: condition for repeated short efforts and lateral movement rather than high-lactate tolerance.
Higher-level players cover less distance per match — efficiency and positioning, not running volume, mark the better player; reactive agility reading rebounds/opponent cues fits that (Paul/Gabbett/Nassis 2015; the review did not test agility).
Overhead-shoulder care still applies (bandeja/víbora/smash load the shoulder — REF-618; not from this paper).
Set expectations honestly: padel's cardiovascular stimulus is moderate — supplement with off-court aerobic + strength if general fitness is the goal (inference from the lactate and VO₂ figures).
Limitations
SR of observational studies only, no pooled effect sizes, high heterogeneity; young field (sparse elite/female/longitudinal); several recs are adjacent tennis transfers; Spanish-cohort skew (full text; not checked against the abstract); the abstract's "maximum speeds around 2.09 km/h" reads as a reporting artefact and is not used here.
How this entry was checked and changed
Why this level
regraded 2026-09-27 from A−: systematic review without meta-analysis of descriptive studies, not controlled trials
Content correction 2026-09-27
Replaced unsourced figures ("mean HR ~70–85% HRmax", "lactate ~2–4 mmol/L", "effective play relatively high, longer rallies") with the abstract's values (HR max 154.75/169.72/188.6 men by level, ~178 women; lactate peaks 2.40/3.38; VO₂ 76.3% → 95.1%; ~3000 m per match).
"moderate demand, below singles tennis and well below squash" and "discriminators lean to reaction time, agility, anticipation" -> not in the abstract; kept only as labelled inference. Level A− -> B+; Tier "mixed" -> Tier 1-4.