Physical characteristics underpinning lunging and change of direction speed in fencing

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-spam 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 was quantified; the lunging distance was divided by time to establish LV. CODS 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 s 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 bodyweight respectively, with single leg jumps revealing an asymmetry favoring the front leg of 9%. 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