Abstract

The purpose of this study was to detect the reasons why regular players practice paddle tennis. A total of 77 participants (43 men and 34 women) from the Autonomous Community of Extremadura (Spain) were surveyed. The validated Spanish version of the revised Motives for Physical Activity Measure (MPAM-R) was used. Calculations were performed to compare means through a one-factor ANOVA to study differences within each gender, and the Student t-test was used to ascertain the differences between men and women. The results reveal differences in the reasons for practicing paddle tennis within females in relation to the age range, practice time, days of practice and level of play. What stand out are the high scores given to competition (F = 8.677; R 2adj = 0.48) and the social aspect (F = 4.253; R 2adj = 0.28) in women over the age of 40, and to fitness/health in players who have been practicing between 6 months and three years (F = 23.553; R 2adj = 0.73). Differences were also found between men and women, and the differences in the reasons why practitioners with less than 6 months of experience play are particularly prominent. These results provide relevant information on the reasons why people practice paddle tennis and can be useful when developing action plans that encourage adherence to the sport, improved health and quality of life, preventing the abandonment of physical activity and sedentarism, particularly in adults over the age of 35.