This study shows that RBD and dementia have a significant coincidence in the course of PD, and RBD not only precedes or coincides with the motor signs, but can occur during the course of the progression of the PD, suggesting a degenerative process of the dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons of the brainstem nuclei, progressing at a different pace in each patient.

No abstract

Turner, AN, Kilduff, LP, Marshall, GJG, Phillips, J, Noto, A, Buttigieg, C, Gondek, M, Hills, FA, and Dimitriou, L. Competition intensity and fatigue in elite fencing. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 3128-3136, 2017-As yet, no studies have characterized fencing competitions. Therefore, in elite male foilists and across 2 competitions, we investigated their countermovement jump height, testosterone (T), cortisol (C), alpha-amylase (AA), immunoglobulin A (IgA), heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BL), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Average (±SD) scores for RPE, BL, and HR (average, max, and percentage of time ≥80% HRmax) were highest in the knockout bouts compared with poules (8.5 ± 1.3 vs. 5.7 ± 1.3, 3.6 ± 1.0 vs. 3.1 ± 1.4 mmol·L, 171 ± 5 vs. 168 ± 8 b·min, 195 ± 7 vs. 192 ± 7 b·min, 74 vs. 68%); however, only significant (p ≤ 0.05) for RPE. Countermovement jump height, albeit nonsignificantly (p > 0.05), increased throughout competition and dropped thereafter. Although responses of C, AA, and IgA showed a tendency to increase during competition and drop thereafter (T and T:C doing the opposite), no significant differences were noted for any analyte. Results suggest that fencing is a high-intensity anaerobic sport, relying on alactic energy sources. However, some bouts evoke BL values of ≥4 mmol·L and thus derive energy from anaerobic glycolysis. High HRs appear possible on account of ample within- and between-bout rest. The small competition load associated with fencing competitions may explain the nonsignificant findings noticed.

Abstract:Given the repetitive demand to execute lunging and changes in direction within fencing, the ability to sustain these at maximal capacity is fundamental to performance. The aim of this study was threefold. Firstly to provide normative values for this variable referred to as repeat lunge ability (RLA) and secondly to identify the physical characteristics that underpin it. Thirdly, was to establish if a cause and effect relationship existed by training the associated characteristics. Assessment of lowerbody power, reactive strength, speed, change of direction speed (CODS) and a sportspecific RLA were conducted on senior and junior elite male fencers (n = 36). Fencers were on average (± SD) 18.9 ± 3.2 years of age, 174.35 ± 10.42 cm tall, 70.67 ± 7.35 kg in mass, and 8.5 ± 4.2 years fencing experience. The RLA test had average work times of 16.03 s ± 1.40 and demonstrated "large" to "very large" associations with all tested variables, but in particular CODS (r = .70) and standing broad jump (SBJ; r = -68). Through linear regression analysis, these also provided a two-predictor model accounting for 61% of the common variance associated with RLA. A cause and effect relationship with SBJ and CODS was confirmed by the training group, where RLA performance in these fencers improved from 15.80 ± 1.07 s to 14.90 ± 0.86 s, with the magnitude of change reported as "moderate" (ES = 0.93). Concurrent improvements were also noted in both SBJ (216.86 cm ± 17.15 vs. 221.71 ± 17.59 cm) and CODS (4.44 ± 0.29 s vs. 4.31 ± 0.09 s) and while differences were only significant in SBJ, magnitudes of change were classed as "small" (ES = 0.28) and "moderate" (ES = 0.61)respectively. In conclusion, to improve RLA strength and conditioning coaches should focus on improving lower-body power and reactive strength, noting that jump training and plyometrics designed to enhance horizontal propulsion may be most effective, and translate to improvement in CODS also.

To avoid being hit, fencers typically adopt an out of range position, which was hypothesized to be governed by body-and action-scaled affordances. This theory was measured in elite and national level junior (u20) fencers. Associations between "reachability" of lunging and step-lunging attacks, was assessed against height, armspan, leg-span, body mass and lower-body power, and then compared across level. Reachability was determined as the distance covered by fencers during these attacks and was reported as actual and estimated distances. Elite fencers are better at estimating their lunging and step-lunge distance compared to national ranked junior fencers (-0.9 vs. 7.3 % and 5.4 vs. 10.9 % respectively). Surprisingly, elite fencers' actual and estimated distances for these was less than the junior fencers' (222.6 vs. 251.5 cm and 299.3 vs. 360.2 cm respectively), and significantly so in the former. Finally only arm (r = .81) and leg span (r = .71) were significantly correlated to estimated lunging distance and this was only in elite fencers. Findings suggest that better fencers can accurately predict their attack range and that reachability appears to be positively influenced by arm and leg-span; these may feed in to talent identification. Given that distances were less in elite fencers, findings suggests that timing and distance estimation are key skills to master, and that the mastery of these in offensive actions can mitigate to a large extent, the physical benefits of an opponent's greater height.