The impact of altitude conditions on performance in men’s and women’s professional padel

Resumen

The aim of this study was to analyze whether there are differences in performance indicators between matches played at different altitudes in professional padel. Data were collected and analyzed based on players’ sex, set number, and set score using video footage from the World Padel Tour (WPT), including open-access TV broadcasts and WPT’s youTube channel. performance indicators – such as break points won, errors, winners, and winning smashes – were recorded across 1122 sets (485 matches) from three WPT seasons (2020-2022). RESULTS: in men’s padel, altitude-related differences were observed in break points (p=0.005), break points won (p=0.002), and winners (p=0.002). in women’s padel, altitude-related differences were found in break points won (p=0.004), smashes (p<0.001), and winning smashes (p<0.001). Set number and set result were associated with variations in several performance indicators, depending on the tournament’s altitude (below or above 500 meters). In conclusion, these results represent reference data to help players and coaches train according to altitude conditions.