The aims of this study were to: (1) analyze table tennis players’ physical profiles considering and comparing players age categories (i.e., under U12, U14, U16, U20, Senior and Older); and (2) to quantify the correlations among the variables measured by each test. Seventy-one table tennis players (61 men and 10 women, 19.7 ± 11.23 years, 1.65 ± 0.13 m, 59.71 ± 17.72 kg and 21.60 ± 4.22 kg/m²) divided into six age groups, performed a sprint test, forearm isometric strength test, countermovement vertical test, countermovement horizontal test, change of direction ability (CODA) test and flexibility test. U14 players performed better than U12 in all tests (ES = −0.70 to 1.98, moderate to large) except in Sit and Reach (SAR) test (ES = 0.19, trivial). The U16 group also obtained better results than U14 in all tests (ES = 0.77 to −2.31, moderate to large) except for the SAR test (ES = 0.19, trivial). The U20 group performed better than U16 in all the tests (ES = 0.73 to −1.53, moderate to large) except for the 5 m sprint test (ES = −0.02, trivial), 10 m sprint test (ES = −0.51, moderate) and SAR (ES = 0.11, trivial). Differences between Senior and U20 were only found in the arm swing counter movement jump (CMJAS) (ES = −0.82, large) and modified agility test (MAT) (ES = 1.19, large), with the U20 group being better in both variables. The senior group performed better in the MAT test than the older group (ES = 0.94, large). The relation found between forearm isometric strength, vertical jump, horizontal jump, sprint and CODA ability (r = −0.53; ±0.14, 0/0/100, most likely to r = 0.83; ±0.06, 100/0/0, most likely) indicates that these capacities are related in table tennis players. Nevertheless, the lack of association between the sit and reach test with the other capacities may indicate that flexibility is an independent capacity.

Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court, characterised by intermittent high-intensity efforts, frequent directional changes, and short recovery periods. This study aimed to analyse the evolution of physiological responses and neuromuscular fatigue in amateur padel players according to playing position (Right Side [RS] vs. Left Side [LS]) and match outcome (Win or Lose). A total of 52 padel players (35.6 ± 11.6 years) participated, competing in 13 matches. The mean match duration was 57.2 ± 15.7 min, with an average of 152.0 ± 40.4 points per match. Physiological variables were recorded during each set, and neuromuscular variables (countermovement jump [CMJ] and handgrip strength) were assessed before the match and after each set. No significant differences in physiological load were found between winners and losers or between RS and LS positions. However, differences in handgrip strength were observed at T1 (p < 0.05, d = −0.72) and T2 (p < 0.05, d = −0.59) (post-set testing), with LS players showing higher grip strength. Regarding the progression of physiological responses across the different sets, a progressive increase in cardiovascular load was observed within each subgroup, with significant differences across sets (set 1, set 2, and set 3) in several variables, including HR_peak, HR_avg, zone 1, zone 2, zone 3, and TRIMP_Edwards. No performance decline was observed in CMJ or handgrip strength in any of the groups analysed. These findings suggest that physiological responses increase throughout a match, particularly in the final sets, but no signs of neuromuscular fatigue (CMJ and handgrip) were observed, regardless of match outcome or playing position. These results highlight the need to include high-intensity scenarios and role-specific strategies in training to address the progressive physiological demands and positional differences in match play.

The aims of this study were to analyze the heart rate response, the game temporal structure (i.e., mean total time of the matches, real playing time, total rest time) and the stroke technique distribution and to describe its relations in the table tennis national category in simulated competitions. A cohort of 60 table tennis male players (22.06 ± 8.32 years) played 30 simulated matches. The obtained results show a mean heart rate (HR_mean) of 142.69 ± 14.10 bpm and a peak heart rate (HR_peak) of 167.26 ± 16.51 bpm. Total strokes were 7505, being the 57.88% and 42.12% forehand and backhand strokes, respectively. The most frequent forehand strokes were service (SERV) (33.13%) and forward spin technique (SPIN) (40.75%) stroke types, with the left quadrant of the table away from the net (Z_5) (25%) and right quadrant of the table away from the net (Z_6) (20.72%) being the most frequent ball bouncing placements. Meanwhile, the most frequent backhand strokes were backspin technique (PUSH) (42.74%) and SPIN (31.86%) stroke types, with the intermediate left quadrant of the table (Z_3) (17.21%), Z_5 (31.22%) and Z_6 (18.54%) being the most frequent ball placements. The mean total time of the matches was 15.74 ± 3.82 min, the mean real playing time was 4.14 ± 1.47 min and the total rest time was 11.60 ± 2.67 min. Heart rate variables did not correlate significantly with the different stroke types or the game temporal variables (p > 0.05). However, stroke types and game temporal structure variables were significantly correlated (p < 0.01). This information can be useful to reveal players’ strengths and weaknesses and prepare subsequent training sessions, adapting training sessions to the needs of the athletes.

Los objetivos de este estudio fueron analizar el perfil físico de jugadores de tenis de mesa, observar si existían diferencias en función del género en las pruebas realizadas y determinar si existía alguna relación entre las pruebas de condición física y el rendimiento deportivo. Veinte jugadores de tenis de mesa, de los cuales 10 eran jugadores de categoría masculina (17,61 ± 7,56 años, 1,63 ± 0,11 m, 60,62 ± 20,03 kg, 22,07 ± 5,87 kg/m2) y 10 jugadoras de categoría femenina (17,35 ± 7,12 años, 1,61 ± 0,07 m, 48,89 ± 7,66 kg, 19,33 ± 2,26 kg/m2) fueron evaluados en la capacidad de sprint, fuerza isométrica de antebrazo, salto vertical con contra movimiento, salto horizontal con contra movimiento, capacidad de cambiar de dirección y flexibilidad. Los resultados mostraron mejores resultados en el grupo de jugadores masculinos en comparación con el grupo femenino en el test de capacidad de cambio de dirección (MAT, p < 0,05, TE = 1,08, alto) y en el test de fuerza isométrica del antebrazo (HANDG, p < 0,05, TE = -1,23, alto). Sin embargo, el grupo FEM, a efectos prácticos y de forma significativa, obtuvo mejores resultados en el test de flexibilidad (SAR, p < 0,05, TE = 1,03, alto). Por otro lado, no se obtuvo ninguna asociación significativa (p > 0,05) entre el resultado obtenido en las pruebas de condición física y el rendimiento deportivo en competición ni en jugadores masculinos ni femeninos. Este aspecto pone de manifiesto que la condición física puede no ser uno de los factores relevantes en el rendimiento deportivo de los jugadores de tenis de mesa de este estudio.\ud \ud Abstract\ud \ud The aims of this study were to analyze the physical profile of table tennis players, look at differences between genders in the different tests and to determinate the relationships between the physical fitness test and sport performance. 20 table tennis players, 10 male players (17.61 ± 7.56 years, 1.63 ± 0.11 m, 60.62 ± 20.03 kg, 22.07 ± 5.87 kg/m2) and 10 female players (17.35 ± 7.12 years, 1.61 ± 0.07 m, 48.89 ± 7.66 kg, 19.33 ± 2.26 kg/m2), performed a sprint test, forearm isometric strength, countermovement vertical test, countermovement horizontal test, change of direction ability test and flexibility. The male players obtained better results than the female players in change of direction ability (MAT, p < 0.05, TE = 1.08, large), and in handgrip isometric strength test (HANDG, p < 0.05, TE = -1.23, large). However, females obtained better results in flexibility test (SAR, p < 0.05, TE = 1.03, large). On the other hand, there wasn’t significant correlation (p > 0.05) between the obtained results in physical fitness tests and the sport performance in competition in male and female players. This aspect shows that physical fitness may not be a relevant factor in table tennis players who participated in this study

Background/Aims: Table tennis performance is influenced by various factors such as technique, tactics, and fitness. Additionally, many shots are executed at high speeds, developing significant levels of explosive strength in the lower extremities. This study aimed to assess the jump capacity and the elasticity index of the lower limbs among young table tennis players based on sex. Additionally, this study assessed leg asymmetries between the dominant and non-dominant limbs during jump tests. Methods: A total of 40 players (20 boys and 20 girls), aged 16–18 years, participated in the study. Vertical countermovement jump, squat jump, and horizontal jump tests were conducted to evaluate both vertical and horizontal jumping capacities, as well as leg asymmetries between the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Results: Differences were observed in both vertical and horizontal jumps, with male players achieving better results in all jumping capacities. However, female players obtained better values in elastic index. Additionally, significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant legs in both male and female players. Conclusions: Considering that explosive strength is one of the most essential physical capacities in this sport, this information could prove valuable for talent identification, the design of training programs, and the optimization of physical performance monitoring systems in table tennis.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the protections taken by ski and snowboard recreational athletes of the winter stations Sierra Nevada and Alto Campoo (Spain), regarding gender, age, and practiced sport. A total of 520 users participated, Sierra Nevada (n = 306 (58.8%)); Alto Campoo (n = 214 (42.2%)), 257 of them were men (49.4%) and 263 (50.6%) were women, from 6 to 64 years old, classified by 4 stages of development (Childhood (n = 106 (20.4%)); Teenagers (n = 110 (21.2%)); Youth (n = 101 (19.4%)); Adults (n = 203 (39.0%))). For the data collection, an Ad Hoc questionnaire was used (Socio-demographic data, use/no use of protection). The data revealed that 23.5% of the participants did not use any protection. Regarding the development stage, 1% of the children did not use any protection, neither did 3.1% of the teenagers, 6.7% of the youth, or 12.7% of the adults (p < 0.001). Regarding gender, a total of 17.1% of men did not use protection, and regarding women, 6.3% of them did not use it (p < 0.001). In relation to the practiced sport, 15.8% of the skiers did not use it against 7.7% of the snowboarders (p = 0.006). The use of protection for the practice in winter sports is not enough to reduce the injury risk in these sports and, in the worst cases, fatal accidents.