ORIGINAL ARTICLE  SPORT INJURIES AND REHABILITATION 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2024 April;64(4):383-91

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.23.15418-1

Copyright © 2023 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Risk of injury and kinematic assessment of the shoulder biomechanics during strokes in padel players: a cross-sectional study

Alessandro de SIRE ^{1, 2}, Andrea DEMECO ³ ✉, Antonio FRIZZIERO ³, Nicola MAROTTA ^{2, 3}, Riccardo SPANÒ ¹, Simone CAROZZO ⁴, Cosimo COSTANTINO ³, Antonio AMMENDOLIA ^{1, 2}

¹ Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, The Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; ² Research Center on Musculoskeletal Health, The Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; ³ Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; ⁴ Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, The Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; ⁴ S. Anna Institute, Crotone, Italy

BACKGROUND: Padel players commonly suffer from shoulder pain and the particularly high incidence is probably linked to the high frequency of strokes. In addition, due to the repetitive technical gesture, an adequate technique is essential in terms of performance and injury risk prevention. Aim of this study was to objectively evaluate shoulder kinematic during the athletic gesture to analyze the risk factors linked to padel strokes.
METHODS: Professional and amateur padel players underwent a three-dimensional motion analysis of the padel strokes utilizing optoelectronic and surface electromyography systems (BTS Bioengineering, Garbagnate Milanese, Milan, Italy).
RESULTS: Twelve padel players were included in this study (10 professional players in Group A and 10 amateurs in Group B). Experience influences the execution of padel strokes with a significant difference between group A and B in terms of gleno-humeral rotation and scapular tilt. Moreover, a subgroup analysis revealed that male players execute voleè with a higher external rotation (P=0.043), and forehand with a higher scapular tilt (P=0.044).
CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that the high ranges of motion of the overhead strokes could rise the risk of slap lesion, impingement, and glenohumeral internal rotation deficit. However, a correct execution of the athletic gesture is linked with a dynamic stabilization of the humeral head. In conclusion, the kinematic analysis could help in the early identification of the kinematic alteration to build a tailored rehabilitation plan based on the athlete’s needs.

KEY WORDS: Shoulder injuries; Rehabilitation; Sports medicine