Abstract des Autors

Paddle is a racket sport, which has gained popularity, played in pairs and using its own rackets and balls. The sport itself presents specificities that can influence the injury pattern. In comparison with tennis, the game takes place on a smaller field, delimited by glass surfaces which implies an increased speed, short displacements, and many changes of direction. This condition could have a negative impact in the ankle, knee, or lower back. The serve is made from below, while in tennis it is made from top. This fact could save shoulder injuries, but the wrist and forearm are more forced. As sport qualities, paddle uses motor anticipation, explosive force, reactive speed (acceleration and deceleration), resistance, flexibility, and agility. There is little evidence about the biomechanical singularities of the paddle and the injury pattern. From the available studies, it was concluded that the most common overuse injury site among senior players is the elbow, and the lower back among junior players, whereas knee injuries are the most common acute injuries, taking into account that movements are mainly lateral and pivoting. With the progressive increase in associative and professional, more frequent assistance from physiotherapy care is necessary. The repetition of specific actions and gestures can be a determinant factor in paddle musculoskeletal injuries. Such knowledge may assist in determining practical implications for equipment improvement injury prevention and preventive programs.