Cobar and Rodil’s pioneering pickleball study recognized at Int'l Sports Science Conference in Thailand

The scholarly paper authored by Ateneo de Manila University faculty Jok Cobar (lead author) and Angel Rodil, titled “Kinematic Analysis of Pickleball Forehand Return and Skill Transfer of Accuracy from Badminton and Tennis Players,” received an Honorable Mention Oral Presentation citation at the 13th International Conference on Sports and Exercise Science (ICSES), held from 19–21 June 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.

This pioneering study examined the kinematic performance of badminton and tennis athletes executing pickleball forehand returns, offering valuable insights into skill transfer across sports. The findings lay a strong foundation for the development of science-based pickleball training programs in the Philippines.

The scholarly work of Mr Cobar and Ms Rodil makes a significant contribution to evidence-informed physical education instruction. It supports the growth of pickleball as an emerging sport and enhances the quality of teaching, coaching, and research not only at Ateneo but across the country. Mr Cobar serves as the Subject Area Coordinator for Physical Education at the Ateneo Senior High School, while Ms Rodil is a faculty member of the Physical Education Department at Ateneo de Manila University's School of Humanities.

(Of note is the fact Mr Cobar received the Honorable Mention award on 21 June 2025, exactly a day after he received word that another research paper he co-authored, “Perception of Physique Aesthetic, Fitness, and Anthropometric Scores of Filipino Body Samples,” had been accepted for publication in a Scopus-indexed journal.)

Hosted by Mahidol University, ICSES brought together sports scientists, educators, and practitioners from across the region. It also served as the venue for the annual meeting of the Sports Medicine Association of Thailand (SMAT).