VO2max in tennis & padel
Short bursts, long matches. VO2max in tennis and padel: intermittent intensity, average heart rates in match play, and why aerobic fitness speeds recovery between points.
VO2max by level
Most research is on tennis; padel studies are fewer and smaller, so treat padel numbers as approximate.
Data table
| Level | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Untrained adults | 35–45 | 30–38 |
| Club players | 42–52 | 36–44 |
| Competitive | 50–60 | 44–52 |
| Elite tennis | 55–65 | 48–56 |
What the sport demands
Our rating, 1–5Typical intensity
% of VO2max, tennis match average
Source: Fernandez-Fernandez et al., 2006
Why VO2max matters in tennis & padel
Points are short and explosive, but matches are long: aerobic fitness speeds recovery between points and keeps movement sharp late in the match.
Padel rallies tend to be longer and the court smaller — a good aerobic stimulus for recreational players.
Sessions that raise it
On-court intervals
15–20 s movement drills, 20–30 s rest, 3 sets of 8.
4 × 4
Running or bike, once a week in pre-season.
Footwork + strength
Lunges, lateral bounds, core.
General information, not medical advice. Get medical advice before hard intervals if you have a heart condition or symptoms such as chest pain.
Estimate your own number with the VO2max calculator and compare it with the norms for your age.
Sources
- Fernandez-Fernandez J, Mendez-Villanueva A, Pluim BM. Intensity of tennis match play. Br J Sports Med, 2006.
- Kovacs MS. Tennis physiology: training the competitive athlete. Sports Med, 2007.
Ranges are typical lab values reported in the literature, rounded; individual athletes vary. Demand ratings are our editorial judgement.