New regression models to predict fat mass in intermediate-level male padel players

PURPOSE: Padel is a racquet team sport that has generated great interest in recent years, but the anthropometric and body composition characteristics of padel players have not widely been investigated. So, this study has a threefold aim: i) to draw two specific linear regression models to estimate fat mass from Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) to anthropometry or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA); ii) to provide a BIA-vector (BIVA) profile of intermediate level padel players; iii) to understand if anthropometric, body composition and handgrip strength differ among padel's roles. METHODS: Participants were 15 padel players (26.66 ± 11.84 years, 71.6 ± 12.51 kg, 173.13 ± 7.63 cm) who competed in the same championship. DXA, anthropometry, BIA and vector analysis were assessed. The stepwise procedure for the best general linear model was performed. The one-way ANOVA was used to compare right and left-side players. The Bland-Altman method, concordance correlation and Pearson's correlation coefficients, and statistical power achieved were computed. RESULTS: The regression models achieved high goodness of fits in fat mass estimation (anthropometric adj. R(2) = 0.984, BIA adj. R(2) = 0.949) with four and two regressors, respectively. Padel players showed BIVA features close to teams' (D = 0.22) and power's (D = 0.37) sports. Also, no significant differences between left and right players were found in body composition and handgrip strength. CONCLUSION: This study provided novel and useful information on players' body profiles for coaches and trainers. Also, our resulting equations provide easy-to-assess field methods in the accurate estimation of players’ body composition characteristics.