Biomechanical Analysis of Padel Strokes: Kinematic Principles and Technical Optimization
Chapter from the book: Uluç, E. A. & Bulut, Ç. & Uluç, S. (eds.) 2025. Sports Sciences Research 8.

Mevlüt Yıldız
Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University
Yavuz Öntürk
Yalova University

Synopsis

This book chapter presents comprehensive biomechanical analysis of padel strokes through kinematic principles and evidence-based technical optimization strategies for coaches, sports scientists, and professional athletes. Padel is rapidly growing racket sport worldwide, combining elements of tennis, squash, and racquetball, characterized by distinctive feature of allowing ball continuation after wall rebounds, significantly increasing strategic complexity and demanding versatile technical skills from players. The study examines modern biomechanical analysis methodologies in detail, including three-dimensional motion analysis systems utilizing optoelectronic technology with high-speed infrared cameras capturing millimeter-precise marker positions, surface electromyography recording electrical signals from muscle contractions through non-invasive electrodes, and inertial measurement units enabling real-world data collection during actual match conditions. The kinetic chain concept is emphasized as fundamental biomechanical principle, describing how body segments sequentially and coordinately activate to transfer energy and momentum from proximal to distal regions, with each segment accelerating based on velocity generated by preceding segments, ultimately maximizing racket head speed at ball contact. Detailed biomechanical profiles of fundamental strokes including forehand, backhand, serve, volley, bandeja, vibora, and smash are provided, systematically analyzing joint angles, range of motion, muscle activation patterns, and racket kinematics across preparation, backswing, acceleration, ball contact, and follow-through phases. Electromyographic studies reveal significantly higher activation of extensor carpi radialis compared to flexor carpi radialis, creating substantial risk for lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow. In backhand strokes, dominant deltoid activation combined with inadequate counterbalancing by antagonist muscles such as latissimus dorsi and pektoralis major causes shoulder joint imbalance and elevated injury risk, particularly subacromial impingement syndrome. Smash racket head velocity demonstrates strong positive correlations with upper body functional strength, grip strength, and shoulder rotation power, with semi-professional male players achieving significantly higher velocities than amateur counterparts. Technical optimization strategies comprehensively address integration of smart padel courts with embedded sensors providing real-time performance feedback, wearable technologies continuously monitoring biomechanical metrics, advanced composite materials including carbon fiber and graphene in equipment design enhancing power transfer efficiency while reducing vibration transmission, aerodynamic racket designs minimizing air resistance, and structured physical conditioning programs emphasizing core stability, rotator cuff strengthening, flexibility, mobility work, and injury prevention protocols. The injury prevention section details biomechanical risk factors for shoulder, elbow, and lower extremity injuries, examining glenohumeral internal rotation deficit, subacromial impingement, lateral epicondylitis, and ankle sprains.

How to cite this book

Yıldız, M. & Öntürk, Y. (2025). Biomechanical Analysis of Padel Strokes: Kinematic Principles and Technical Optimization. In: Uluç, E. A. & Bulut, Ç. & Uluç, S. (eds.), Sports Sciences Research 8. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1067.c4211

License

Published

December 31, 2025

DOI