HEALTH BENEFITS, PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES, AND INJURY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PADEL PRACTICE: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Franciszek Cezary Pastuszak; Małgorzata Świderska; Szymon Świstak; Patrycja Małyszek; Magdalena Lengier; Szymon Zych; Julita Papińska; Julia Pielacha; Natalia Powęska; Jakub Buziak

doi:10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.6236

Authors

Franciszek Cezary Pastuszak Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8064-5377
Małgorzata Świderska Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8964-8261
Szymon Świstak Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4382-3663
Patrycja Małyszek Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7324-573X
Magdalena Lengier Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3402-6005
Szymon Zych Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7904-6047
Julita Papińska Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1758-1373
Julia Pielacha Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6822-2520
Natalia Powęska Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Łódź Voivodeship, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8574-7721
Jakub Buziak Franciszek Raszeja Municipal Hospital in Poznań, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5833-975X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.6236

Keywords:

Padel; Racket Sports; Health Promotion; Injury Risk; Prevention; Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background. Padel is a rapidly growing racket sport with intermittent activity, repeated strokes, frequent direction changes, and doubles-based tactical interaction. Its accessibility and social character make it a promising leisure-time activity, but increasing participation raises injury-prevention concerns.

Aim. This narrative review summarizes evidence on health benefits, physiological responses, and injury risks in padel.

Material and methods. Peer-reviewed padel articles were identified mainly through PubMed and screening of relevant reviews and studies. Evidence was synthesized thematically.

Results. Padel may support physical activity and improve selected fitness components, especially in youth and non-professional players, including strength, agility, lateral movement, cardiorespiratory capacity, and body composition. Physiological studies show moderate cardiovascular intensity, repeated high-intensity actions, and autonomic stress. Early evidence suggests acute inflammatory, myokine-related, and cognitive responses, but data are mainly from small acute studies. Injuries are common, especially tendinous and muscular injuries affecting the elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle, lower leg, and lower back. Risk appears multifactorial and may be influenced by exposure, player level, equipment, footwear, court surface, warm-up habits, wellness, and supervision.

Conclusions. Padel is an accessible activity with promising health and fitness benefits, but it also presents a relevant injury burden. Participation should be supported by warm-up, progressive load management, strength and conditioning, appropriate equipment, wellness monitoring, and early symptom management. Future research should prioritize standardized injury surveillance, prospective risk-factor studies, randomized interventions, biomechanical analyses, and padel-specific prevention and rehabilitation trials.

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