Mechanical and Muscular Coordination Patterns during a High-Level Fencing Assault

Guilhem, Gaël; Giroux, Caroline; Couturier, Antoine; Chollet, Didier; Rabita, Giuseppe

doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e3182a6401b

Cited by 49 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The correlations herein, between a sport specific speed endurance test and various 1996), and the associations here may act to further support fencing as an anaerobic power-based sport (Wylde, Frankie, & O'Donoghue, 2013;Guilhem, Giroux, Chollet, & Rabita, 2014;Turner, et al, 2014). That said, no measures of aerobic capacity were taken to further qualify this statement, but given that the TG contained elite athletes in the middle of the competitive season, this was not possible.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…Thirdly, was to Copyright ª 2016 National Strength and Conditioning Association A C C E P T E D identify if training these characteristics did indeed improve its score, noting that associations from this may not be cause and effect. Because the RLA test involves lunging and change of direction speed, it was hypothesised that similar associations to those identified previously (Guilhem, Giroux, Chollet, & Rabita, 2014;Tsolakis, Kostaki, & Vagenas, 2010; In press) would be noted; these centred on lower body power, reactive strength and speed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…It therefore appears reasonable to suggest that larger improvements in SBJ and/or agility would also result in larger improvements in RLA. The concept of increasing fencing specific movements such as lunging and CODS through strength and power training have also been advocated elsewhere (Guilhem, Giroux, Chollet, & Rabita, 2014;Redondo, Alonso, Sedano, & de Benito, 2014;Turner, et al, In press;Tsolakis, Kostaki, & Vagenas, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fencing involves a series of explosive lunges and changes in direction, spaced by low-intensity movements with varying recovery periods, predominately taxing anaerobic metabolism (Wylde, Frankie, & O'Donoghue, 2013;Guilhem, Giroux, Chollet, & Rabita, 2014). Given the repetitive demand to effectively execute lunging and changes in direction within each bout, the ability to sustain these at maximal capacity, referred to as repeat lunge ability (RLA), should be considered fundamental to performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physical Characteristics Underpinning Repetitive Lunging in Fencing

Turner

Marshall

Phillips³

et al. 2016

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Physical Characteristics Underpinning Repetitive Lunging in Fencing

Turner

Marshall

Phillips³

et al. 2016

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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“…The fencing attacking lunge is appropriate, with the objective being to generate maximal forward propulsion, covering ground quickly to strike an opponent with a sword (Guilhem et al 2014). Significantly, greater sword velocity in elite fencers has been attributed to more than arm extension velocity alone, with sword arm movement in coordination with the lower limb lunge distinguishing skilled from novice fencers (Yiou and Do 2000).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An applied paradigm for simple analysis of the lower limb kinematic chain in explosive movements: an example using the fencing foil attacking lunge

Mulloy

Mullineaux

Graham-Smith

et al. 2018

International Biomechanics

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A simple method to quantify the kinematic chain in a propulsive task would facilitate assessment of athlete effectiveness. The study's aim was to assess if the kinematic chain distinguishes between skill levels. Fencers were separated into two groups based on attacking lunge ability (7 skilled; 8 novices). Rear leg 3D joint angular extension velocity magnitudes and timings, sword kinematics and rear leg kinetics were obtained in the propulsion phase of the attacking lunge. Skilled fencers obtained greater sword velocity (3.24 ± 0.24 m•s−1 vs. 2.69 ± 0.29 m•s−1; p = 0.02). The skilled group had a greater sequential kinematic chain of the hip, knee and ankle, demonstrated by significantly greater ankle angular velocity (9.1 ± 2.1 rad·s−1 skilled; 5.4 ± 2.9 rad·s−1 novice). Ankle plantarflexion velocity showed a strong positive correlation with horizontal peak force (r = 0.81; p < 0.01). The skilled group demonstrated greater horizontal impulse (1.85 ± 0.29 N·s·kg−1 skilled; 1.45 ± 0.32 N·s·kg−1 novice), suggesting greater effectiveness in applying the kinematic chain towards horizontal propulsion. Analysis of the kinematic chain, which was able to distinguish between skill levels in a propulsive task, is an effective and simple paradigm to assess whole limb contributions to propulsive movements.

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