The Science of Fencing

Abstract

In this review we analyse the data from the literature on fencing with the aim of creating a psychobiological and multi-factorial model of fencing performance. Fencing is an open-skilled combat sport that was admitted to the first modern Olympic Games in Athens (1896). It is mainly practised indoors, with three different weapons: the foil, the sabre and the épée, each contested with different rules. A fencing international tournament may last between 9 and 11 hours. Bouts represent only 18% of total competition time, with an effective fight time of between 17 and 48 minutes. The physical demands of fencing competitions are high, involving the aerobic and anaerobic alactic and lactic metabolisms, and are also affected by age, sex, level of training and technical and tactical models utilized in relation to the adversary. The anthropometrical characteristics of fencers show a typical asymmetry of the limbs as a result of the practice of an asymmetrical sport activity. Fencing produces typical functional asymmetries that emphasize the very high level of specific function, strength and control required in this sport. Moreover, the physical demands of fencing are closely linked to the perceptual and psychological ones, and all are subjected to a continuous succession of changes during the bouts based on the behaviour of the opponent. For this reason it is difficult to identify a significant relationship between any one physiological characteristic and performance, and performance is more likely to be influenced by perceptual and neuro-physiological characteristics. Fencers need to anticipate the opponent and to mask their true intentions with a game of feints and counter-feints, which must be supported by an adequate psycho-physical condition to prevent central and peripheral fatigue. Fencing is not particularly dangerous; however, there is a fine line between a fatal lesion and a simple wound from a broken blade. The suggestions for injury prevention fall into three primary areas: (i) actions that can be taken by participants; (ii) improvements in equipment and facilities; and (iii) administration of fencing competitions. As in every other sport, the prevention of accidents must be accomplished at various levels and above all must involve the institutions that are responsible for safety in sports.

Fighting Left Handers Promotes Different Visual Perceptual Strategies than Right Handers: The Study of Eye Movements of Foil Fencers in Attack and Defence

“…Interestingly, the same analysis shows no similar prevalence of left-handedness in lower time pressure sports (tennis and squash). Being direct, close, interactive and unilateral, fencing is a sport in which two athletes combat against each other holding a weapon in one arm [40]. In fact, the number of left-handed fencing finalists and championship medalists is relatively high compared to the number of the fencing population and left handers in the general human population.…”

Original research papers. Kinematic Characterisation of the Lunge and the Fleche in Epee Fencing: Two Case Studies

“…The physical demands of fencing competitions are high; they involve aerobic and anaerobic metabolism and are also affected by age and tactical and technical models used in relation to the adversary [3]. Since technique has a significant influence on the results achieved by athletes, the authors have decided to focus on identifying the criteria of efficiency in fencing.…”

“…This criterion is based on the distal body segment attaining its velocity building on the velocity attained by the proximal segment. This principle applies to the javelin throw and also to kicking, walking, and running motions [2,3,4]. Another criterion, verified by Mulloy [5], is the one of proximal to distal sequencing as an optimal solution to generating maximum propulsion.…”

Body Composition of Individual Male Athletes in Elite Level

“…Bu nedenle her bir branş farklı antrenman yapısına sahiptir ve belirli fiziksel özellik gerektirir. Eskrim epe, flöre ve kılıç olmak üzere üç farklı stilde yapılır; ağırlık sınıflandırması yoktur ve her bir stilin sporcuları fiziksel özellik açısından farklılık gösterir (Roi ve Bianchedi, 2008;Sterkowicz-Przybycien, 2009). Benzer şekilde, güreş de greko-romen ve serbest olmak üzere iki stilde yapılan bir spordur ve vücut morfolojisi ile kompozisyonu farklılık gösterebilir.…”

“…Alt ve üst ekstremitelerin koordinasyonu; boy, kulaç uzunluğu gibi fiziksel özellikler, dikkat ve tepki kapasitesi ile motor yetenekler önemlidir. Koordinasyonların ve motor yeteneklerin en iyi şekilde yapılabilmesi için de vücut yağının düşük olması önerilmektedir (Roi ve Bianchedi, 2008; Tsolakis ve Vagenas, 2010).…”