Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow

One of the most common injuries in padel players, especially for beginners, is lateral epicondylitis, also known as "tennis elbow." This is a condition affecting the tendons which attach the muscle to the bone in the outside lateral part of the elbow. Activities requiring a repetitive movement of this muscle can trigger this ailment. Playing padel ball is just one of these activities, as there are many others in the working world that can lead to the problem, such as lifting, using a mouse at the computer, wielding a hammer or screwdrivers: they all involve a repetitive movement of this part of the arm.

There are several factors that you should keep in mind when practicing padel to avoid this injury: first, a good technique when hitting the ball is essential, as if you hit the ball too late in relation to your body, your forearm will suffer. When learning this sport it is very important to receive advice and be corrected by a coach. Strengthening the arm muscles is also a good idea, as well as a thorough warm-up and stretching routine.

There are also certain aspects related to the racket which can be related to this injury. For example, the thickness of the handle should allow it to fit snugly into your palm. We recommend you try different thicknesses and add Overgrips until you find a size you feel comfortable with and gives you a firm grip. There is no "best" number of overgrips, as there are players who find one is sufficient, while others prefer to use three or more.

The design and materials of the racket you choose is one of the key factors in avoiding epicondylitis, as we already explained in this article about NOX rackets to avoid epicondylitis. The weight, the form, and vibration absorption are all factors to be taken into account. We put the latest technological evolutions into NOX so that they are at the service of our padel players. Our TEMPO WPT racket has a revolutionary Multilayered CORE based on several layers of different materials instead of just FOAM rubber as used in traditional rackets. Next to the AVS – our vibration absorption system - the Core is your greatest ally in efforts to avoid epicondylitis, and above all to ensure you have total control of the game without sacrificing power and a good serve. The rugged grip surfaces will help you steer your drive.

There are also other round-shaped rackets which help prevent epicondylitis and could be what you are looking for, detailed in our aforementioned article, NOX rackets to avoid epicondylitis.