Perceived, but Not Neuromuscular, Fatigue Demonstrated After Doubles Pickleball Competitions.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Doubles pickleball involves repeated high-intensity actions.
• Understanding player fatigue is crucial for performance and injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate neuromuscular and perceived fatigue in recreational doubles pickleball players after competition.
• To differentiate fatigue responses between sexes.

Main Methods:

• 16 male and 16 female players competed in an 11-game doubles pickleball tournament.
• Countermovement jump (CMJ) tests assessed neuromuscular performance (jump height, impulse, power).
• Perceived fatigue was measured using a questionnaire pre- and post-competition.

Main Results:

• CMJ outcomes like jump height and peak power significantly increased post-competition for both sexes.
• Both sexes reported significantly higher perceived fatigue.
• Men reported a greater increase in perceived fatigue than women.

Conclusions:

• Recreational doubles pickleball competition leads to increased perceived fatigue but not neuromuscular fatigue.
• Neuromuscular performance, measured by CMJ, did not decline.
• Muscular endurance may not require specific training focus for this player group.