Enrique Alcántara Alcover, Laura Magraner Llavador, Sonia Gimeno Peña, Mario Aguado Vírseda, Fernando Gómez Sendra (1), Rafael Mengual Ortola, José Laparra Hernández.
Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV). Universitat Politècnica de València. Building 9C. Camino de Vera s/n (E-46022) Valencia. Spain
(1) Healthcare Technology Group at IBV, Biomedical Research Networking center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN)
As of May 2017, the IBV is one of only 3 laboratories in the world accredited by the International Padel Federation (FIP) to homologate balls used in official competitions. In this way, the Federation has laid down a number of requirements for balls that are to be used both in its championships and in official tournaments included in the Official FIP Calendar. Any manufacturer who wants to obtain the "FIP APPROVED PADEL-BALL” stamp for their models must submit them to the corresponding laboratory tests.
INTRODUCTION
Padel became popular in Spain at the beginning of the 21st century. It then enjoyed a major boom that led to a dramatic increase in the number of players and facilities. Research from 20151 suggests that 4.2 million people were playing padel that year as opposed to just over one million, five years earlier.
Currently, although its growth seems to have slowed down somewhat in Spain, it is expanding at a spectacular rate throughout Europe.
Last year there were more than 10000 courts and almost 2500 clubs across Europe, spread over 21 countries. The development in certain countries such as France, Italy and Sweden is tremendous with courts increasing at a rate of around 200%. Amazing rates for a sport that was virtually unknown in these countries just a few years ago.
The Spanish industry is leading this expansion. Manufacturers of rackets, footwear, sports surfaces, nets, glass, walls and basically anything else needed to pay padel are relying on quality and innovation to lead the way in this market. At the same time, manufacturers from other sports are finding new opportunities in padel. This is the case of ball manufacturers.
The Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) has played an important role in this process for a number of years. We would highlight the strong support we have provided in policy development in relation to materials and equipment, such as for example the soon-to-be approved regulations governing grass surfaces for playing padel2 or the approval process for the Spanish Padel Federation3, not to mention our R&D activities in collaboration with the industry, athletes and professionals.
The IBV has recently been recognized by the International Padel Federation (FIP) as one of three laboratories in the world that are accredited for the certification of padel balls.
METHODOLOGY
The process to approve a ball model consists of two distinct parts. On the one hand, there is the administrative procedure that corresponds to the FIP, and on the other hand, the technical procedure, for which the accredited laboratory is responsible. Whenever a company wishes to initiate the process to have their models of balls approved, they contact an accredited laboratory to start the corresponding tests and the process to verify all the requirements that the current regulations impose.
In order to characterize the behavior of the balls, the manufacturer must send 72 balls to the IBV. Of these, a smaller number, chosen at random, is subjected to a battery of tests designed to ensure that the ball meets the minimum quality and performance standards established by the FIP.
Figure 1. Vertical drop test.
The properties studied are:
♦ The weight of a ball determines to a large extent its kinetic behavior; therefore, it must be within a specific range.
♦ Dimensions. The sphericity and size of a ball are fundamental to how it behaves in different strokes.
♦ Vertical bounce. In padel, most strokes involve spin. The vertical drop therefore indicates the behavior of a ball when it interacts with the ground.
♦ Deformation. The deformation of a ball subjected to compression loads is a measure of its elasticity, which has to do with bounce and durability.
Figure 2. Compression test.
These properties are measured before and after the balls are subjected to a fatigue process. This involves a specific machine that hurls the ball against a rigid surface, simulating the average number of strokes made in nine games.
The requirements laid down by the FIP therefore relate to the properties of the balls and how they are affected by fatigue, as shown in the following table.
Table 1. Criteria established by the FIP (2017).
The reports of these results are sent in the first instance to the FIP who, once they have revised them, contact the company to formalize the approval dossier and certificate. Once approval has been granted and once they have paid the corresponding license fee, the requesting client may include the label “FIP APPROVED PADEL-BALL” on their product packaging.
CONCLUSIONS
The Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) is one of three laboratories accredited by the International Padel Federation for the approval of padel balls. As of this year, manufacturers anywhere in the world may avail themselves of the services of the IBV for the market launch of the balls that they design specifically for padel.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
1. COUREL IBÁÑEZ, B.J. SÁNCHEZ-ALCARAZ MARTÍNEZ, S. GARCÍA BENÍTEZ, M. ECHEGARAY. EVOLUTION OF PADEL IN SPAIN. CCD 34 I YEAR 13 I VOLUME 12 I MURCIA 2017 I PAGES 39 TO 46 ISSN: 1696-5043
2. The first technical standard regulating artificial turf surfaces for padel tennis courts is now under way Mercedes Sanchis Almenara, Enrique Alcántara Alcover, Rafael Mengual Ortolá, Laura Magraner Llavador, Jaime M. Prat Pastor, Nicolás Palomares Olivares, Mª Sonia Gimeno Peña, Mª Amparo Guerrero Alonso. Journal of Biomechanics Number 63 (2016). Pages 21-16
3. Good Practices in the Installation and Maintenance of Padel Tennis Courts. ISBN: 978-84-7949-222-9, The Sports Council. 2012
4. Hugo Avalos Brunetti 1, Mercedes Sanchis Almenara 2, Laura Magraner Llavador 2, Enrique Alcántara Alcover. R. pg. 15-16: Approval of Padel Tennis Courts. Journal of Biomechanics 59 (January 2013)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To the International Padel Federation for placing its trust in us.
