Response timing in the lunge and target change in elite versus medium‐level fencers

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to examine the differences between two groups of fencers with different levéis of competition, élite and médium level. The timing parameters of the response reaction have been compared together with the kinetic variables which determine the sequence of segmented participation used during the lunge with a change in target during movement. A total of 30 male sword fencers participated, 13 élite and 17 médium level. Two forcé platforms recorded the horizontal component of the forcé and the start of the movement. One system filmed the movement in 3D, recording the spatial positions of 11 markers, while another system projected a mobile target over a screen. For synchronisation, an electronic signal enabled all the systems to be started simultaneously. Among the timing parameters of the reaction response, the choice reaction time (CRT) to the target change during the lunge was measured. The results revealed differences between the groups regarding the flight time, horizontal velocity at the end of the acceleration phase, and the length of the lunge, these being higher for the élite group, as well as other variables related to the temporal sequence of movement. No significant differences have been found in the simple reaction time or in CRT. According to the literature, the CRTappears to improve with sports practice, although this factor did not differentiate the élite from medium-level fencers. The coordination of fencing movements, that is, the right technique, constitutes a factor that differentiates élite fencers from medium-level ones.

The Influence of Different Performance Level of Fencers on Simple and Choice Reaction Time

“…This conclusion is however in contradiction with the hypothesis that the additional stimulus will not have any significant influence on fencers RT increase. Similar findings supporting this theory were made by Gutierrez-Davila et al 26 . Their study shows that not even the difference in choice RT (CRT) among elite and sub-elite fencers was found out.…”

Physical Characteristics Underpinning Lunging and Change of Direction Speed in Fencing

“…This was further than that noted by Gholipour et al, (2008), but similar to Gutierrez-Davila et al, (2011) (117 and 140 cm respectively). Compared to Guilhem et al, (2014), and acknowledging their lunge was preceded by a (small) step but our fencers were taller (~8 cm), distance travelled appears similar.…”

“…The average lunge time (from initiation to sword contact with target) was 400 ± 8 ms. This was quicker than Gholipour et al, (2008), Gutierrez-Davila et al, (2011) and Guilhem et al, (2014) (1082, 601 and 1430 ms respectively). In the study of Gholipour et al, (2008), fencers were asked to lunge with no target to aim at, with time stopped at completion of the lunge, which can often follow the swords contact with the target as this may occur with the front foot still airborne.…”

“…Also, Guilhem et al, (2014) through electromyography analysis, showed that the activation of rear leg extensor muscles i.e., gluteus maximus, vastis lateralis and soleus, was correlated to LV (r = 0.70, 0.59 and 0.44, respectively). On re-examination of the video footage, it is clear that some fencers initiate the lunge with extension of the legs, while others (correctly for the purpose of "priority" scoring) with extension of the lead arm; a discrepancy in technique noted elsewhere (Gholipour, Tabrizi, & Farahmand, 2008;Gutierrez-Davila, 2011). If the latter is performed incorrectly, it may have the effect of shifting the athlete's centre of mass forward and thus reducing the ability of the athlete to generate force at the back leg due to its reduced active state, see Bobbert and Casius (2005) for further details.…”

Neuromuscular Screening to predict young fencers’ performance

“…reaction and movement times have been studied in fencing as specific kinetic task responses; however studies that focus on training protocols oriented to improve the process timing and subsequent kinetic response remain inconclusive (7). It has been reported that expert fencers are faster in discriminating the correct stimulus (4), whereas other studies have shown that elite fencers have a quicker response in choice reaction protocols in comparison to novice fencers (29,30).…”