Effects of Padel Competition on Brain Health-Related Myokines

Abstract

Padel is becoming one of the most widespread racket sports that may have potential health benefits. Considering that several myokines mediate the cross-talk between skeletal muscles and the brain, exerting positive effects on brain health status, this study was designed to evaluate the responses of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and irisin (IR) to padel competition in trained players and to determine whether these responses were sex-dependent. Twenty-four trained padel players (14 women and 10 men with a mean age of 27.8 ± 6.3 years) participated voluntarily in this study. Circulating levels of BDNF, LIF, and IR were assessed before and after simulated padel competition (real playing time, 27.8 ± 8.49 min; relative intensity, 75.2 ± 7.9% maximum heart rate). Except for BDNF responses observed in female players (increasing from 1531.12 ± 269.09 to 1768.56 ± 410.75 ng/mL), no significant changes in LIF and IR concentrations were reported after padel competition. In addition, no sex-related differences were found. Moreover, significant associations between IR and BDNF were established at both pre- and post-competition. Our results suggest that while competitive padel practice stimulates BDNF response in female players, padel competition failed to boost the release of LIF and IR. Future studies are needed to further explore the role of these exercise-induced myokines in the regulation of brain functions and to identify the field sports that can contribute to myokine-mediated muscle–brain crosstalk.

Match Analysis, Physical Training, Risk of Injury and Rehabilitation in Padel: Overview of the Literature

“…The current literature argues over four different aspects of padel: match analysis, anthropometric and physical fitness, the biological effects of padel matches on athletes, and the risk of injury and rehabilitative approaches. Almost all the study included were from Spain ( n = 16) [ 3 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]; only one was from Sweden [ 26 ]. Ten of the included studies investigated game dynamics [ 3 , 9 , 12 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], of which one [ 12 ] analyzed the court zone involved in the attacking and defensive phase of the match; six studies [ 3 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 ] investigated padel strokes, highlighting that the smash is one of the most effective strokes with which to stop the rally; on the other hand, the lob is the most valid in a defensive position [ 20 ].…”

“…As reported in three studies, a padel match has both biochemical and psychological effects. In detail, a simulated padel match caused a rise in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level from 1531.12 ± 269.09 to 1768.56 ± 410.75 ng/mL in female players [ 25 ]; moreover, there is an increase in urinary-specific gravity for male players, in contrast to female players, and a significant increase in microalbuminuria from 47.25 ± 18.81 to 207.51 ± 147.11 (g/L); furthermore, players self-reported a significant increase in mental fatigue after a padel game that worsened after the second consecutive match.…”

“…Table 2 describes the studies’ methodological quality scores [ 29 ]. Eleven studies [ 7 , 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 28 ] had 10 points; three studies [ 9 , 18 , 24 ] had 9 points, two studies had 8 points [ 12 , 20 ], and one [ 26 ] had 5 points.…”

Performance Outcome Measures in Padel: A Scoping Review

“…Various studies have researched physical performance in padel through different standardized tests [ 8 , 42 , 64 , 67 , 87 ]. Significant differences ( p < 0.05) have been found between sexes in distances covered during YOYO IR1, vertical jump (VJ), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), Abalakov jump (ABK), medicine ball throwing (MBT), maximum handgrip isometric strength (MHIS), resistance handgrip isometric strength (RHIS), 10 m sprint, and 20 m sprint [ 58 , 65 , 67 , 87 ].…”

Analysis of the Actions of Net Zone Approach in Padel: Validation of the NAPOA Instrument

“…Interest in this sport has also been seen in the increase in scientific publications. There are many areas in which studies have been carried out on padel in recent years—educational [ 2 ], anthropometric [ 3 , 4 ], physiological [ 5 , 6 ], psychological [ 7 , 8 ], etc.…”