title: Physical Characteristics Underpinning Lunging and Change of Direction Speed in Fencing.
abstract: Turner, A, Bishop, C, Chavda, S, Edwards, M, Brazier, J, Kilduff, LP. Physical characteristics underpinning lunging and change of direction speed in fencing. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2235-2241, 2016-Lunge velocity (LV) and change of direction speed (CODS) are considered fundamental to success during fencing competitions; investigating the physical characteristics that underpin these is the aim of this study. Seventy fencers from the British Fencing National Academy took part and on average (±SD) were 16.83 ± 1.72 years of age, 178.13 ± 8.91 cm tall, 68.20 ± 9.64 kg in mass, and had 6.25 ± 2.23 years fencing experience. The relationship between anthropometric characteristics (height, arm span, and adductor flexibility) and measures of lower-body power (bilateral and unilateral countermovement jump height and reactive strength index) were examined in their ability to influence LV and CODS. In testing the former, fencers lunged (over a self-selected distance) to and from a force plate, where front leg impact and rear leg propulsive force were quantified; the lunging distance was divided by time to establish LV. Change of direction speed was measured over 12 m involving shuttles of between 2 and 4 m. Results revealed that LV and CODS averaged at 3.35 m·s and 5.45 seconds, respectively, and in both cases, standing broad jump was the strongest predictor (r = 0.51 and -0.65, respectively) of performance. Rear leg drive and front leg impact force averaged at 14.61 N·kg and 3 times body weight, respectively, with single leg jumps revealing an asymmetry favoring the front leg of 9 ± 8%. In conclusion, fencers should train lower-body power emphasizing horizontal displacement, noting that this seems to offset any advantage one would expect fencers of a taller stature to have. Also, the commonly reported asymmetry between legs is apparent from adolescence and thus also requires some attention.
authors.affiliation: 1London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, United Kingdom; 2City and Islington College, United Kingdom; 3Applied Sports Technology Exercise and Medicine Research Centre, College of Engineering, Swansea University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Shyam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chavda
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brazier
authors.forename: Liam P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Kilduff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology