Table 1.

Main characteristics of the included studies.

Article	Nationality	Design	Participants	Aim	Procedure	Main Outcomes
Sánchez-Alcaraz et al., 2021 [16]	Spain	Systematic observation	Male padel players (n = 48; 24 trained and 24 novice).	To determine the differences in ball impact positions regarding nine stroke types	Type of stroke and ball impact position were registered using a computerized motion racking video system	Results showed that trained players hit the ball in a more backward position in serve and offensive shots but used more forward strokes in defensive shots.
Sánchez-Alcaraz et al., 2020 [17]	Spain	Systematic observation	Professional padel players (n = 20)	To analyze the distribution and effectiveness of the different types of smashes	Identification of the variables (type of smash, shot effectiveness, hitting zone, and shot direction) through use of observational instrument software	The tray was the most commonly used smash. Female players used more tray and fewer flat and topspin smashes than male players. Men executed a significantly higher percentage of winning smashes than women. Flat smashes and off the wall smashes were predominantly down the line strokes and women performed significantly more cross-court topspin smashes than men.
Courel-Ibáñez et al., 2019 [12]	Spain	Systematic observation	Male professional padel players (n = 4)	To assess emerging players’ responses within a natural competitive environment	Game dynamics were analyzed regarding the technical (groundstroke type, swing, and height), spatial (depth and laterality), and effectiveness indicators through Lince video analysis software	The results revealed three main game styles influenced by the court zone (net, middle, and baseline). In net and middle areas (offence) stood the use of volleys and overhead strokes on the center lane to keep a positional advantage and solve the point. Conversely, in the baseline (defense), the use of corner side walls and the domain of lobs showed to be relevant.
García-Benítez et al., 2018 [18]	Spain	Systematic observation	Young padel players (n = 32)	To assess match activity profile and temporal structure	The activity profile was determined by filming each match with two video cameras positioned 2 m from the back of the court	Young athletes playing longer rallies had a longer resting interval time resulting in a lower effort index. Results revealed an increment on match requirements in under 18 players compared with under 16 s.
Escudero-Tena et al., 2021 [3]	Spain	Observational study	1070 sets from 532 matches	To analyze performance indicators and their influence on match outcomes regarding sex, tournament round, and set number	The matches were downloaded from the official channel of the World Padel Tour and analyzed through Lince video analysis software	Winning couples showed a significantly higher number of break points won, total break points, smash winners, total smashes, total winners, volley winners, and significantly fewer errors in both men and women.
Ramón-Llin et al., 2021 [19]	Spain	Systematic observation	Padel players (n = 72)	To analyze the influence of service tactic formation on players’ movements and point outcome at two different performance levels	Two digital videocameras were used to film the matches; players and ball coordinates were analysed using a computerized motion tracking system (SAGIT/Squash)	Elite players had a significantly higher usgae share of the Australian formation compared with novices. Servers were significantly closer to the net and the side wall using a conventional formation when the returner hit the ball. Furthermore, servers had to move quicker when they used the Australian formation.
Courel-Ibáñez et al., 2017 [9]	Spain	Systematic observation	1527 rallies from 10 male matches	To analyze differences in rally length considering attack effectiveness, players’ locations and game outcomes	The matches were analyzed from the official YouTube channel of the World Padel Tour; data were collected through systematic observation	Winning pairs played longer rallies than losers. In detail, most winners’ errors were made at the net, while most points were scored at the baseline. Winners played longer rallies compared to losers, resulting in better performance.
Escudero-Tena et al., 2020 [20]	Spain	Observational study	Women players in the 2018 World Padel Tour (WPT) (n = 10)	To analyze game dynamics considering padel strokes	The instruments and materials used in the research were an “ad hoc” observation sheet; the LINCE software was used for video analysis [27]	The lob is the most frequently utilized and valid shot of women in the defensive position, who use it to pass the offensive position of the opponents.
Ramón-Llin et al., 2020 [21]	Spain	Systematic observation	Padel players (n = 24) performed 8441 shots from 9 matches	To analyze the distribution of padel strokes, their effectiveness, direction, and court zone	Two digital video cameras were used to film the matches; the data were recorded, using specific software for video analysis: LINCE software	Winning couples made a significantly higher number of winning and cross-court smashes and volleys from the offensive zone. Furthermore, players on the left side executed a higher percentage of cross-court and winning shots than the players on the right side.
Priego Quesada et al., 2018 [24]	Spain	Retrospective study	Recreational padel players (n = 80)	To examine the association between intrinsic/extrinsic factors and injury in recreational padel players.	Retrospective self-administered questionnaire	40.0% of the players suffered at least one injury during the past year. Sex, age, frequency of padel sessions/week, and years of padel experience were not correlated with injuries.
Thörnland et al., 2021 [26]	Sweden	Case reports	Padel players (n = 3)	To describe three cases of blunt eye trauma	Three cases of eye injuries during padel games were described and subsequently examined and treated surgically	The size and velocity of the ball, the risk of unpredictable bounces of the ball, and the relatively close distance between the players are important risk factors. The most effective method of reducing the amount of eye injuries is the use of protective eyewear.
Pradas–Sánchez-Pay A, et al., 2021 [7]	Spain	Cross-sectional study	Professional padel players (n = 30)	To examine the fitness characteristics of professional padel players and to determine differences in physical performance regarding players’ gender	The analysis was conducted on data collected during a national players’ meeting using a series of standard anthropometric and physical performance tests	Male players showed better values in terms of weight, height, one repetition maximum, jump test, and VO2 max test than the women. By contrast, the women had higher levels for fat mass. Males have higher explosive strength and more explosive shots than the females players.
Pradas–Cádiz et al., 2021 [25]	Spain	Observational study	Trained padel players (n = 24)	To evaluate the responses of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and irisin (IR) to padel competition in trained players	Circulating levels of BDNF, LIF, and IR were measured before and after simulated padel competition	The results suggest that competitive padel practice induces a slight but significant response of BDNF in female players. However, padel competition did not influence the release of LIF and IR.
Díaz-García et al., 2021 [22]	Spain	Observational study	Professional padel player (n = 14)	To quantify the evolution of mental fatigue, motivation and reaction time during a WPT competition	Mental fatigue and motivation and reaction time, with a 3 min Psychomotor Vigilance Test, were assessed at two time intervals	A rise in mental fatigue after the match was detected, with an accumulation of mental fatigue between matches played on day 1, maximizing the mental fatigue perceived during match 2.
Pradas et al., 2021 [23]	Spain	Observational study	High-level padel players (n = 28)	To evaluate neuromuscular, urinary, and hematological responses after simulated padel competition and analyze possible gender differences	Neuromuscular, hematological, and urinary parameters were analyzed before and after a simulated game	Significant gender differences were found in neuromuscular and hematological responses, with men showing higher values. After a simulated game, ABK and microalbuminuria levels changed. The impairment in hand grip strength, SJ, CMJ, and ABK was higher for men than women. The simulated game negatively affected the neuromuscular parameters.
Sánchez-Muñoz et al., 2020 [10]	Spain	Cross-sectional study	Male padel players (n = 60)	To describe and compare the anthropometric and physical fitness of male padel players according to their competitive level	Anthropometric variables, hand grip and lumbar isometric strength, flexibility, and lower-body muscular strength were analyzed	Elite athletes presented lower levels than subelite players for thigh and calf skinfolds. Elite players show significantly lower levels of body fat and thigh fat area, and significantly higher lumbar isometric strength. Endo-mesomorphic is the somatotype of the elite padel athletes.
Courel-Ibáñez et al., 2021 [15]	Spain	Cross-sectional study	Padel players (n = 34)	To examine the fitness characteristics and to identify the influence of gender and practice experience between young amateur padel players	Body composition was measured through bioimpedance; change in direction and agility were assessed by two padel-adapted tests	Male and female young padel players showed a healthy body composition and comparable results in all fitness analyses excepting for jumps.