title: Physiological responses and energy expenditure during competitive fencing.
abstract: Fencing is an Olympic sport in which athletes fight one against one using bladed weapons. Contests consist of three 3-min bouts, with rest intervals of 1 min between them. No studies investigating oxygen uptake and energetic demand during fencing competitions exist, thus energetic expenditure and demand in this sport remain speculative. The aim of this study was to understand the physiological capacities underlying fencing performance. Aerobic energy expenditure and the recruitment of lactic anaerobic metabolism were determined in 15 athletes (2 females and 13 males) during a simulation of fencing by using a portable gas analyzer (MedGraphics VO2000), which was able to provide data on oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production and heart rate. Blood lactate was assessed by means of a portable lactate analyzer. Average group energetic expenditure during the simulation was (mean ± SD) 10.24 ± 0.65 kcal·min(-1), corresponding to 8.6 ± 0.54 METs. Oxygen uptakeand heart rate were always below the level of anaerobic threshold previously assessed during the preliminary incremental test, while blood lactate reached its maximum value of 6.9 ± 2.1 mmol·L(-1) during the final recovery minute between rounds. Present data suggest that physical demand in fencing is moderate for skilled fencers and that both aerobic energy metabolism and anaerobic lactic energy sources are moderately recruited. This should be considered by coaches when preparing training programs for athletes.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124 Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milia
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roberto
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinna
authors.forename: Girolamo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palazzolo
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sanna
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omeri
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piredda
authors.forename: Gianmario
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Migliaccio
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Concu
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crisafulli
mesh_terms: D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006019:Glycolysis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult