Calf, elbow, shoulder: where padel hurts the most

The most frequent injuries and their mechanisms in padel, the State-certified Physiotherapist, Training Supervisor at the Vichy Physiotherapy Training Institute, Raphael Tournier We are told everything in this episode 2.

Epidemiological studies on the practice of padel in France and Europe are consistent: The injuries mainly affect the lower and upper limbs, with a very clear recurrence in certain key areas.

These injuries are not specific to a particular level of practice, but their frequency increases with the intensity, the volume of play and the age of the player.

Calf, elbow, shoulder: where padel hurts the most

Calf and Achilles tendon: the most affected area (18,8%)

Le calf-Achilles tendon complex This constitutes the first site of injury in padel. This high prevalence is explained by the very nature of the game: short movements, explosive accelerations, sudden braking and repeated changes of direction.

On a synthetic surface sometimes considered slippery, the mechanical stresses on the posterior chain are significant, especially at the end of the match when fatigue sets in.

Common symptoms

Sudden or gradual pain in the back of the leg
A feeling of stiffness, tension, or a "whiplash"
Increasing discomfort as the discussions progressed or towards the end of the session

Most exposed profiles

Players practicing more than 4 hours per week
Padelists more than 40 years
Resuming sports activities without specific preparation

The elbow – the “Padel Elbow” (18,5%)

THElateral epicondylitisOften compared to tennis elbow, it is one of the most common injuries in padel. It affects both regular players and those still learning the sport.

Why is the elbow so heavily used in padel?
Unlike tennis rackets, padel rackets do not have ropesThis rigid structure leads to a more direct transmission of vibrations towards the forearm during strikes, especially on off-center shots.

To this are added:

Movements that are sometimes technically poorly executed
An improper racket grip
A high volume of play, often without sufficient recovery time

Identified aggravating factors

Heavy snowshoe (> 350 gor too rigid
Short length of practice (Less than 5 years old)
High playing frequency without appropriate muscle strengthening

Shoulder and ankle injuries: common but often underestimated

THEshoulder represents approximately 13 to 14% of injuries identified. It is mainly used during smashes, bandejas and viboras, with repeated and sometimes poorly stabilized upward movements.

The pathologies observed are mainly:

Rotator cuff tendinopathies
Subacromial impingements
Anterior or posterior pain in the dominant shoulder

On the side of ankleInjuries account for approximately 10% of cases, mostly in the form ofsprainsThey occur during rapid changes of direction, slips or poorly controlled landings.

Lower back pain: often silent but ever-present.

While acute injuries tend to attract more attention, The lower back is, however, the most frequently painful area for padel players..

The data shows that:

61% of players report at least one instance of lower back pain. during or after the game
Trunk rotations, repeated extensions, and topspin shots place significant stress on the lumbar spine.
These pains are often chronic, widespread, and progressively debilitating.

Lack of core strength, fatigue and imperfect movement technique are determining factors.

Predictable injuries, therefore avoidable.

The majority of these attacks are not random. They are linked to well-identified biomechanical mechanisms, often amplified by intense practice, insufficient recovery or unsuitable equipment.

Understand where padel hurts the mostIt's also about understanding how to better protect oneself from it.

In the next episode :
who are the players most at risk, at what point in their training and why are certain profiles particularly exposed to injuries.

To be continued in the series “The Risks of Padel”, on Padel Magazine.

Raphael Tournier

Physiotherapist, Training Manager at the Vichy Physiotherapy Training Institute, but above all a padel fanatic!