Does movement efficiency differentiate performance? An analysis of competition load in elite women's padel

Quantification of competition load provides critical information on player performance. This study aimed to analyse external loading variables in elite female padel players to establish reference values and distinguish mobility profiles between match-winning and match-losing pairs. Kinematic data were collected from 121 professional players during 34 official matches using Wimu Pro EPTS inertial devices. Descriptive analysis established normative values for elite competition: players covered a mean total distance of 3648 m (Mdn = 3317 m; IQR = 1312.50) and reached a mean maximum velocity of 14.14 km/h (Mdn = 14.17 km/h; IQR = 3.42). The median PlayerLoad was 54.04 arbitrary units (a.u.) (IQR = 23.64). Regarding high-intensity actions, players performed a median of 491 accelerations and 441 decelerations per match. Comparative analysis revealed that losing pairs covered greater total distance (Mdn = 3364 m) compared to winners (Mdn = 3103 m), though this difference was trivial and non-significant (p = 0.719; r = -0.03). Similarly, losers performed more absolute accelerations (Mdn = 525 vs. 467) and relative accelerations per hour (Mdn = 356 vs. 339; p = 0.275; r = -0.10) compared to winners. This research provides objective accelerometry-based reference values for elite women's padel. The results indicate that locomotor demands are broadly similar between winning and losing pairs. Although greater total distance and acceleration volume were noted in losing players, these differences were small and not statistically significant.