Measurements of biomechanical workload onthe forearm during padel : a pilot study

Sammanfattning: Padel involves repetitive and high-velocity upper limb movements, which can be associated with overuse injuries. There is a lack of evidence regarding injury prevention in padel and a necessity of developing and evaluating ways to monitor workload. The objective of this study was to use a new mobile measurement method (Delsys Trigno Light System) to evaluate muscle activation and movement of the forearm during padel. The percentage of MVC (%MVC) of Mm. Extensor carpi radialis (ECR) longus et brevis and M. flexor carpi radialis (FCR), angular velocities of the wrist and co-contraction between ECR and FCR were measured and analyzed. The main results showed a relatively low general muscle activation; 1.42 (0.44 – 2.33) %MVC of FCR and 8.02 (4.23 – 12.62) %MVC of ECR, with significantly greater muscle activation of the ECR than the FCR (p<0.001), high angular wrist velocities; 17.0 (13.2 – 34.6) °/s, and a weak positive correlation for co-contraction with peak values of FCR > 0.15 V and concurrent ECR, Spearman’s r = 0.326, p<0.001 and peak values of ECR > 0,15 V and concurrent FCR, Spearman’s r = 0.181, p<0.001. This study indicates that this mobile measurement method may be used to evaluate biomechanical workload on the forearm during padel play and may serve as an injury preventive tool.