Pulmonary Function Differences between Trained Padel Players and Physically Inactive Young Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to assess and compare pulmonary function parameters between trained padel players and physically inactive young adult males in Saudi Arabia. Forty-eight participants (23 padel players, 25 untrained controls), aged 20.8 ± 1.67 years, underwent spirometry testing using the MIR New Spirolab device following international standards and scholarly exercise physiology frameworks and guidelines. The assessments included static lung volumes, dynamic capacities, and maximal ventilatory performance. The trained padel players demonstrated significantly higher values in inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, inspiratory capacity, vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow, and maximal voluntary ventilation compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The study revealed no differences between the groups regarding tidal volume measurements and forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity ratios. The study results show that regular padel training leads to better pulmonary function, which suggests the sport can enhance respiratory fitness in active people.