Measuring Fatigue After Singles Pickleball Tournament Play

Authors

Margaret J. Falknor, California State University, Monterey BayFollow
Steven Kim, California State University, Monterey BayFollow
James Annesi, California State University, Monterey BayFollow
George Beckham, California State University, Monterey BayFollow
Eric Martin, California State University, Monterey BayFollow

Abstract

Previously, we measured fatigue from one doubles pickleball match, multiple recreational doubles pickleball matches, and a nine-game doubles pickleball tournament. We found no evidence of neuromuscular fatigue in any of these scenarios. Therefore, doubles pickleball play may not be fatiguing enough to decrease jump performance. Singles pickleball matches may be more fatiguing than doubles play, because players must cover the court and return the ball without a partner. PURPOSE: Our goal was to determine if singles pickleball play would induce neuromuscular fatigue. METHODS: We included healthy adult pickleball players that had no lower body injuries within the past 6 weeks. We used a countermovement jump (CMJ) test on a Hawkins Dynamics force plate to assess changes in muscular performance. Participants performed a set of warm up CMJ: two jumps at 50% maximal perceived effort and two at 75% maximal perceived effort. Participants then performed four CMJs at maximal effort. After pre-tournament testing, participants played three rounds of five, 8-minute matches with 20-minute breaks between rounds, and 5-minute breaks between matches within a round. After the tournament, participants then completed another set of CMJ, two at 50% effort and two at 75% effort, and then four at maximal effort. Data were analyzed using RM-ANOVA and partial ƞ² for effect sizes in SPSS v 29. RESULTS: There were 6 participants, five male and one female, ages 25-52 years old. For jump height there was a significant (p = 0.041) and large increase (ƞ² = 0.598) from pre to post. For peak propulsive power there was a significant (p = 0.048) and large (ƞ² = 0.576) increase from pre to post. For peak relative propulsive power there was a significant (p = 0.011) and large (ƞ² = 0.755) increase from pre to post. For peak propulsive force there was a non-significant (p = 0.675) and small (ƞ² = 0.038) increase from pre to post. For peak relative propulsive force there was a non-significant (p = 0.206) but large (ƞ² = 0.297) increase from pre to post. Bodyweight had a non-significant (p = 0.158) but large (ƞ² = 0.355) decrease from pre to post. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence of fatigue in the CMJ test performance after playing a 15-game singles pickleball tournament. Instead, we saw an improvement in jump performance after singles tournament play.

Recommended Citation

Falknor, Margaret J.; Kim, Steven; Annesi, James; Beckham, George; and Martin, Eric (2024) "Measuring Fatigue After Singles Pickleball Tournament Play," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 46.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/46