Sodium metabolism

Effect of a Padel Match on Biochemical and Haematological Parameters in Professional Players with Regard to Gender-Related Differences

Haematological and biochemical parameters have not yet been analysed in professional padel players. The aim of this study was to determine the basal values of these parameters and to observe the effect of a simulated competition on them, including gender-related differences. A total of 14 male professional players (age: 28.2 ± 7.9 years), and 16 female professional players (age: 29.7 ± 3.7 years) participated in this study. Players were allowed to hydrate ad libitum during the matches. Haematological and biochemical values were obtained before and after a simulated competitive padel match. The men’s group showed higher baseline values in red blood cells, haematocrit, haemoglobin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, albumin, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) (p < 0.01) than the women’s group. Attending to match effect, significant differences were obtained in urea, creatinine, CK and glucose (p < 0.05). Finally, the group x match interaction revealed significant differences in serum concentrations of sodium and chloride (p < 0.05). In conclusion, high-level padel matches provoke several changes in biochemical parameters related to muscle damage and protein catabolism. Recovery and fluid intake strategies could be added regarding gender. The results obtained could be due to the differences in the intensity and volume of the simulated competition.