title: Physical Characteristics Underpinning Repetitive Lunging in Fencing.
abstract: Turner, AN, Marshall, G, Phillips, J, Noto, A, Buttigieg, C, Chavda, S, Downing, W, Atlay, N, Dimitriou, L, and Kilduff, L. Physical characteristics underpinning repetitive lunging in fencing. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3134-3139, 2016-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. First, to provide normative values for this variable referred to as repeat lunge ability (RLA) and second to identify the physical characteristics that underpin it. Third, was to establish if a cause and effect relationship existed by training the associated characteristics. Assessment of lower-body power, reactive strength, speed, change of direction speed (CODS), and a sport-specific 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 ± 1.40 seconds and demonstrated "large" to "very large" associations with all tested variables, but in particular CODS (r = 0.70) and standing broad jump (SBJ; r = -0.68). Through linear regression analysis, these also provided a 2-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 to 14.90 ± 0.86 seconds, with the magnitude of change reported as "moderate" (effect size (ES) = 0.93). Concurrent improvements were also noted in both SBJ (216.86 ± 17.15 vs. 221.71 ± 17.59 cm) and CODS (4.44 ± 0.29 vs. 4.31 ± 0.09 seconds) 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.
authors.affiliation: 1London Sport Institute, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, United Kingdom; and 2Health and Sport Portfolio, School of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anthony N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noto
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buttigieg
authors.forename: Shyam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chavda
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Downing
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Atlay
authors.forename: Lygeri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dimitriou
authors.forename: Laim
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kilduff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*