Authors
Xhuljano Vukaj, CriBeNS Lab, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
Luigi Marano, CriBeNS Lab, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
Ferdinando Cereda, Centro Accademico Sportivo “Rino Fenaroli”, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(6): 6014, 2026.
DOI: 10.70252/IJES2026614
Abstract
Padel is rapidly expanding worldwide, but the fitness profile of adult amateur players remains incompletely characterized. This cross-sectional study examined associations between handgrip strength (HGS) and field-based physical fitness in 87 amateur padel players (45 self-reported males, 42 self-reported females; age: 40.0 ± 10.1 years), the association between bioelectrical impedance phase angle and HGS, and, exploratorily, links between padel training volume and SF-36 summary scores. Participants completed HGS dynamometry, a pre-planned change-of-direction T-test, countermovement jump (CMJ), 20 m sprint, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1), bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the SF-36. After adjustment for sex, age, and body mass index, relative HGS remained associated with CMJ height (rpartial = 0.34, Holm-adjusted P = .004), sprint time (rpartial = −0.35, Holm-adjusted P = .003), and YYIR1 distance (rpartial = 0.27, Holm-adjusted P = .024), but not T-test time (rpartial = −0.13, Holm-adjusted P = .223). Primary and extended regression models yielded the same pattern, and body- mass-adjusted models using absolute HGS supported the robustness of these findings. No HGS × sex interaction remained significant after Holm correction. Phase angle was associated with relative HGS after adjustment (rpartial = 0.41, Holm-adjusted P < .001). Training volume showed modest positive associations with SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores. Relative HGS may provide a simple correlate of general neuromuscular fitness in amateur padel players, while phase angle may offer complementary physiological information; prospective studies are required before either measure can be interpreted as a marker of padel-specific performance.
Recommended Citation
Vukaj, Xhuljano; Marano, Luigi; Cereda, Ferdinando (2026) “Handgrip Strength as an Independent Correlate of Physical Fitness in Amateur Padel Players: A Cross-Sectional Study,” International Journal of Exercise Science, 19(6):6014.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/IJES2026614