Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the physical conditioning of 8 amateur padel players, establish their physiological profile during a real match through heart rate (HR), and propose variables based on it in order to analyze the internal load in padel. We used the maximum incremental stress test on a treadmill to obtain ergospirometric and respiratory parameters and their cardiac equivalents, entered into the FC Polar Team recording system. The subjects played 7 training matches lasting 1 hour at an interval of 72-96 hours. The variables we obtained were maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and % of VO2 max in the anaerobic threshold; in the stress test maximum heart rate (HR max), mean heart rate (HR mean) and minimum heart rate (HR min) and metabolic work areas (HR ranges). The results show VO2 max. 51.15±5.73 ml · kg-1 · min-1, HR max during the matches at 154.75±7.25 bpm and HR med. 130.0±10.4 bpm, while 89.75 % of game time was in the aerobic work area. To conclude, the cardiorespiratory demands on amateur padel players during a match are based almost exclusively on aerobic metabolisms. In addition, the HR max, min. and mean variables for play and rest times and the establishment of HR work areas can provide important information about what happens in the game at the cardiorespiratory level.