Arm Score methodology (v0.1, 2026-10-16)
The Arm Score is an editorial estimate, not medical advice. It ranks paddles by spec features that are commonly linked to lower forearm/elbow load. The evidence for paddle equipment and elbow injury is limited, and no study has validated this score. If you have elbow pain, see a physician or physical therapist.
Formula (0-100)
| Factor | Max | Points |
| Core thickness | 25 | >=17mm 25 · 16mm 23 · 15mm 18 · 14mm 14 · 13mm 10 · <13mm 5 · unknown 10 |
| Core material | 20 | 100% foam / foam-based 20 · polymer+foam hybrid 16 · polymer honeycomb 12 · carbon rib/solid (e.g. SST) 7 · unknown 10 |
| Weight (published midpoint) | 20 | 7.8-8.3 oz 20 · 7.5-7.8 or 8.3-8.45 oz 14 · outside 8 · unknown 10 |
| Face material | 15 | fiberglass 15 · aramid 12 · carbon 9 · unknown 8 |
| Grip circumference (largest offered) | 10 | >=4.25" 10 · ~4.125" 8 · ~4.0" 6 · smaller 4 · unknown 5 |
| Manufacturer damping/softness claim | 10 | explicit claim (reduced vibration, absorbs impact, quiet/soft) 7 · none 0 |
Unknown values get a middle-low default so missing data is neither rewarded nor heavily punished. Breakdown is shown for every paddle.
Rationale and sources (opened/read 2026-10-16)
1. AAOS OrthoInfo, "Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)" – https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/tennis-elbow-lateral-epicondylitis/ (opened in full). Overuse of the ECRB wrist-extensor tendon; equipment fit is listed as a risk factor and doctors may recommend an "equipment check". Note: AAOS's racquet advice (stiffer frames) does not map cleanly to paddles, which is why the face factor is only 15 points.
2. Hennig/Rossi et al., "Potential effects of racket grip size on lateral epicondylalgia risks", PubMed 24646202 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24646202/ (abstract read via search; page blocked direct fetch). Found an optimal handle size reduces grip force and wrist-extensor loading → grip-fit factor.
3. Hatch et al., "The Effect of Tennis Racket Grip Size on Forearm Muscle Firing Patterns", Am J Sports Med 2006 – https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0363546506290185 (abstract). ±1/4" grip changes showed no EMG difference → grip capped at 10 points.
4. Ryu/Vitale et al., "Pickleball: Review and Clinical Recommendations", Curr Sports Med Rep 2020 (ACSM) – https://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/fulltext/2020/10000/pickleball__review_and_clinical_recommendations.8.aspx (excerpt read). Over-gripping and too-heavy paddles (e.g. 8.5 oz vs 7.2 oz) linked by clinicians to "pickleball elbow" → we reward moderate weight and do NOT reward heavy paddles; very light paddles also lose points (less mass to absorb impact, per common equipment guidance – lower-confidence assumption).
5. Journal of Hand Therapy 2024, epicondylalgia prevalence in recreational pickleball players – https://www.jhandtherapy.org/article/S0894-1130(24)00180-7/abstract (abstract). Medial (7%) more common than lateral (5.4%); experience reduced risk → technique matters more than gear.
6. Core thickness, foam cores, and fiberglass faces: these are manufacturer-described softness/dwell features (e.g., JOOLA says its 16mm core "provides reduced vibration"; Selkirk says EVO's 16mm core "absorbs impact"). Treated as plausible but unvalidated comfort proxies. Vibration dampeners in tennis showed no reduction of elbow vibration (2004 J Sports Sci, cited in source 5's search context), so damping claims are capped at 7 points.
Data rules
Specs come only from manufacturer product pages (URL per paddle) fetched 2026-10-16; no third-party lab data (swing weights are only shown when the manufacturer publishes them). Where multiple variants exist we list the most arm-friendly option (usually 16mm/midweight). "USAP approved" is the manufacturer's claim; it has not yet been cross-checked against the USA Pickleball approved list (to-do before launch).
Changelog
v0.2 (2026-10-16): 63 paddles (added KOBO ×9, Vatic Pro ×4, Proton ×4, HEAD ×4). Filled specs from manufacturer pages; HEAD Radical PRO15 and TOUR15 core/grip details come from retailers (PaddlePro, Pickleball Galaxy), with the URLs given per paddle. Correction: CRBN TruFoam Genesis and Waves are 14mm (CRBN's FAQ), not 16mm. Selkirk LUXX Control Air 19mm core verified on Selkirk's spec table and feature copy. Added a 'glass/carbon hybrid' face class (12 pts).
USAP list check: the official list at equipment.usapickleball.org/paddle-list showed a robot/captcha challenge to automated access, so no paddle could be cross-checked. The `usap_approved` field is still only the manufacturer's claim. Check it by hand before launch.
v0.3 (2026-10-16): Added 19 RPM paddles (Jade, Q2, Friction Pro V2, Friction Pro) from rpmpb.com. The store's default currency is HKD, so USD prices come from its US storefront. RPM Tri-Density core materials are not published, so those paddles get the "unknown" core score.