Biomechanics, key to improving padel performance and safety

Author(s): Juan Carlos González García, Rafael Mengual Ortolá, Laura Magraner Llavador, Mario Lamas Rodríguez, Luis I. Sánchez Palop.

Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV)

The exponential growth of padel has led to an increased focus on the biomechanical factors that impact player performance and safety. This article explores different case studies conducted by the Instituto de Biomecánica in areas such as playing surfaces, footwear and rackets, as well as the biomechanical assessment of players. Laboratory trials, tests involving users and applications in real-life contexts show that biomechanics can improve comfort, reduce injuries and optimise performance.

INTRODUCTION

Padel is a fast-paced, dynamic and physically demanding sport that requires a unique combination of agility, strength and accuracy. Given its growing worldwide popularity, it is essential that we understand the interaction between players and their equipment. The Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) has developed the scientific basis and methodologies needed to analyse and optimise these interactions, thereby making it possible to design more effective products and safer playing conditions.

This article presents case studies conducted by the IBV in four key areas:

• Playing surfaces
• Footwear
• Rackets
• Player biomechanics

Playing surfaces

Padel playing surfaces have a significant impact on performance and the risk of injury. Properties such as shock absorption, energy rebound, friction and stability determine how players interact with the court and affect both the efficiency of their movements and their safety.

The IBV participated in the development and validation of a new artificial turf padel surface created by PadelGalis and Realturf. This new  surface, known as PGR, was developed in response to the need for an artificial turf that allows players to play more quickly and with less risk of injury.

The IBV invited both amateur and professional players to try out the new PGR surface. We then analysed their real-time movements and their opinions of the new surface compared to existing ones. One of the players we invited was Bela, who is widely regarded as the best padel player of all time (see figure 1).

Figure 1. Movement analysis during a typical padel gesture, featuring Bela, a professional player.

The results indicate that playing surfaces with a higher friction coefficient improve stability but increase the physical load on the lower limbs during deceleration. On the contrary, playing surfaces with a lower friction coefficient facilitate more fluid movements, but can compromise control and increase the risk of slipping. Therefore, balancing the properties of the playing surface is crucial if we want to optimise performance and minimise the risk of injury.

Footwear

Properly designed footwear improves comfort, performance and safety. Padel footwear must adapt to the sport’s high-impact movements and the diverse needs of players.

To this end, the IBV has applied its expertise in biomechanics and sports to develop a methodology for evaluating padel footwear. This methodology was showcased at the first Padel World Summit, where the Best Padel Awards 2024 were presented. These awards, which recognise the best padel shoes on the market (see figure 2),

evaluate aspects such as the weight and flexibility of the shoes in relation to their performance. They also assess the deformation and energy rebound of the sole and the insole, as these have a major impact on how a shoe reacts. They also use a “drop test” to assess their ability to absorb impacts, and comfort and fit were assessed by means of specific tests with users.

Figure 2. Impact absorption test (top)and friction/traction test (bottom) of Head’s Motion Pro BOA shoe, which won the 2024 Best Padel Shoe Award for comfort and fit.

Rackets

In padel, rackets are a crucial factor in performance, influencing both the biomechanics of shots and the risk of injury. Key design elements include the weight, inertia and stiffness of the racket, the friction between the ball and the racket, the grip and the racket’s characteristic points, notably the sweet spot, which minimises the vibration transmitted to the user. Therefore:

• Rackets with balanced weight and inertia improve control and reduce fatigue.
• Specific grip designs minimise stress on the wrist and elbow during repetitive movements.
• Rackets with optimal vibration properties increase comfort and performance while reducing the risk of injury (see figure 3).

Figure 3. Vibration (acceleration) transmitted to the user when hitting the ball with a padel racket (Vibration Damping Technology in Tennis Racquets: Effects on Vibration Transfer to the Arm, Muscle Fatigue and Tennis Performance, Yeh et al., 2019).

Biomechanical assessment of players

Biomechanical analysis of players provide insights into how they can improve their technique, tactical efficiency and injury prevention. Technologies such as markerless movement analysis (see figure 4) and strength platforms facilitate detailed, non-invasive evaluations in real-world scenarios. Thanks to the speed at which these techniques can be processed, it is also possible to provide athletes with real-time feedback.

Figure 4. Markerless motion analysis technologies make it possible to study atheletes’ movements in a real-world context in a non-invasive manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Biomechanics play a vital role in advancing padel safety and performance standards. Optimising the interaction between players and their equipment enables important progress to be made in reducing injuries and improving play. Future efforts must focus on incorporating these findings into product design and establishing standard regulations for padel equipment and playing surfaces.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank Padel Galis and Realturf, the Testea Padel Laboratory and the padel player Fernando Belasteguín (Bela).

ACCREDITED TEST INSTITUTE BY

AUTHOR’S AFFILIATION

Instituto de Biomecánica de Valencia
Universitat Politècnica de València
Edificio 9C. Camino de Vera s/n
(46022) Valencia. Spain

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Author(s): Juan Carlos González García, Rafael Mengual Ortolá, Laura Magraner Llavador, Mario Lamas Rodríguez, Luis I. Sánchez Palop (22 July 2025). «Biomechanics, key to improving padel performance and safety». Revista de Biomecánica nº 72. https://www.ibv.org/en/lastest-news/biomechanics-key-to-improving-padel-performance-and-safety/