Musculoskeletal injury prevalence in professional padel players. A retrospective study of the 2021 season.

To investigate the influence of the gender, ranking and playing position on the musculoskeletal injuries in professional padel players. An epidemiological, observational, descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study. 44 injuries were reported by 36 players (20 men/16 women) who participated in the World Padel Tour 2021. Online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and injury prevalence were calculated. Spearman/Pearson correlations between sample characteristics and injury variables were calculated. The chi-square test was used to analyse the association between injury and descriptive variables. A Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare the group differences with regard to days of absence. The results showed different injury prevalence (x1000 matches) in male (10.50) and female players (15.10). A higher injury incidence in top-ranked players, both in male (44.40%) and female (58.33%) was identified, but the low-ranked players reported more severe injuries (>28 days) (p < 0.05). Top-ranked players suffered more muscle injuries (p < 0.01) and low-ranked players suffered more tendon injuries (p < 0.01). Gender, ranking and playing position did not influence the days of absence (p > 0.05). This study confirms that gender and ranking position had an impact on the injury prevalence in professional padel players. • Male players presented a higher injury prevalence compared to female players. • Top-ranked players presented a higher injury incidence and more muscle injuries. • Low-ranked players reported more severe injuries and more tendon injuries. • Muscle was the most affected body tissue, followed by ligament and tendon. • Injuries were mainly focused on the lower limb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]