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Physiological testing and bionergetics in fencing
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BOOK OF ABSTRACTS
Editor: Generalitat de Catalunya
INEF de Catalunya
Av. de l'Estadi s/n
08038 Barcelona
1 ª edició: Barcelona, febrer de 2008
Amb el patrocini de la FEDERACIÓ CATALANA D'ESGRIMA
Coordinador (Ed.): Xavier Iglesias
Disseny i maquetació: Ediciones Gráficas Rey, S.L.
ISBN 978-84-691-0159-9
Dipòsit legal: B-12073-2008

Book of Abstracts
1st International Congress on Science and Technology
in Fencing
Barcelona, 15-17 February 2008
Book of Abstracts
1st International Congress on Science and Technology in Fencing
PRESENTATION
The Institut Nacional d’Eduació Física de Catalunya (INEFC) is pleased to host the 1st
International Congress on Science and Technology if Fencing with the aim of sharing
what universities, research centers, companies, federations, fencers and coaches have
contributed to fencing.
The organization of a congress on a minority sport like fencing has been an extremely
rewarding experience which has allowed us to gather together over 300 participants from
more than 40 countries.
A total of 12 invited speakers and a practical workshop as central elements of the
Congress have been complemented with the presentation of 43 papers: 23 in oral form
and 20 in poster format.
The fact that it coincides in time and location with the Women’s World Cup Épée
competition “Ciutat de Barcelona” is a clear example of how the organizers have wanted
to bring together scientific research and technological progress with the reality of high
level fencing at competitive level.
In the name of the Organizing Committee I would like to express my most sincere
gratitude to the members of the Honor Committee, to the International Fencing Federa-
tion and to the Real Federación Española de Esgrima for their support. I would also like
to thank the Institut Barcelona Esports, of the Municipality of Barcelona, Unió de Federa-
cions Esportives de Catalunya and the Department d’Innovació, Universitats i Empresa,
of the Catalan Government, for their institutional sponsorship and unconditional help
which they have all given for this event.
Special thanks must go also to the members of the Scientific Committee for all their
work and to the members of the Organizing and Executive Committees and to all the staff
of INEF Catalunya and the Catalan Fencing Federation who have all participated in this
exciting and challenging project.
And last but not least to my family for putting up with my absence and even with my
presence.
Without them it would not have been possible.
Xavier Iglesias Ph.D

President of the Organizing Committee
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Book of Abstracts
INDEX
LECTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Factors influencing the initiation, performance and precision of the hit in fencing . . . . 7
Analysys and evaluation of the reaction response in complex fencing actions . . . . . . 10
Brain responses related to cognitive-motor processes in the elite fencers . . . . . . . . . 11
Schermalab: a scientific research model for federations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Technology in high level fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Use of modern microprocessors in fencing devices. ATLAS a new complete line
of scoring machines based on the PIC16F877 microprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Challenges in designing a wireless scoring system for modern fencing . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Collaborative IT Technologies (open source, web 2.0) applied to fencing . . . . . . . . . . 22
Fencing: communication and dissemination via the internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Epidemiology of fencing injuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Sabre fencing training, a challenge for today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Physiological testing and bioenergetics in fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
ORAL PRESENTATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Salomon, The Referee Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Fencing and clinical psychology: social intervention aspects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
A comparison of the levels of CO2, O2 within the traditional épée fencing mask
and the visor mask, and their effects on the performance of a simple visuo-
motor tracking task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Preliminary study on the combative behavior of wheelchair fencers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Differences in muscular performance, growth and maturation between children
involved in swimming, running, basketball, weight lifting and fencing training . . . . 47
Functional leg asymmetries in greek elite male fencers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
The trajectory of fencing in the socio-cultural brazilian context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Fencing as a preventive means for delinquency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Fencing as a subject of study within the framework of the real seminario
de nobles de Madrid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Method for teaching fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Most frequent injuries during duels: the role of the physician during a duel . . . . . . . . . 59
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Book of Abstracts
Static structural research study on fencers sponsored by the “Comunidad

Autónoma de Madrid” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Psychomotor reactions and expert opinions as factors of talent identification
in fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Methods of training in fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Tyshler training device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Variation of épée, foil and sabre fencers heart rate reserve in competition . . . . . . . . . 73
Influence of the methacrylate helmet against the traditional helmet in fencing . . . . . . . 75
Analysis of the rear leg rotation movement during the fencing lunge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Leg strength testing in young catalan fencers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Oxygen uptake and heart rate during standing and wheelchair fencing
in able-bodied fencers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Reaction time on fencing and karate high level athletes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Fencing & medias: media coverage of the world championships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
A new family of software for fencing in the continuation of the engarde software . . . . 94
POSTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Biomechanical model of the fencing lunge to the head in female sabre weapon . . . . . 98
Wireless fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
The insertion of fencing in the curriculum of the escola nacional de educação
física e desportos ( 1939-1974 ) –a historical perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Determination of intensity in fencing training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Knife fencing. An ethnographic approach to the traditional fencing
in the marine districts of the cabanyal and grao (valència) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Posture control in fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Influence of the first hit in the final score of an épée bout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Variability of technical actions in épée fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Relationship between results indicators and general and specific strength values
of the lower extremities in fencing at competition level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Effects of general vision training on the performances of elite sabre fencers . . . . . . . . 126
Anthropometric profile of the top performance fencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Tensiomiographic analysis of short-term muscular fatigue induced by specific
training in fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
4
Book of Abstracts
Nutritional status and dietetic proposes in young fencers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

A preliminary study of trunk flexion and extension strength characteristics
in high-level fencers of the autonomous comunity of madrid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Study of upper limbs strength in fencers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Wheelchair fencing: injuries and prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Anthropometric profile and limb asymmetries in spanish junior elite male
and female fencers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Bilateral deficits and morphofunctional asymmetries in youth fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Assessment of lumbar and extremities muscle strength in high performance
fencers in relation to sports injuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
The internal logic of fencing sport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
5
ABSTRACTS
LECTURES
Factors influencing the initiation,
performance and precision
of the hit in fencing
JEAN-FRANÇOIS STEIN
Laboratoire Mouvement, Action & Performance (Movement, Action & Performance
Laboratory),
Institut National du Sport et de l’Education Physique (French National Institute of Sport
and Physical Education), Paris (France)
Correspondence to:
Jean-francois.stein@insep.fr
Keywords:
Reaction time, Movement time, Accuracy, Uncertainty, Fatigue, Weapons
This presentation puts a series of studies into perspective which were undertaken with
and for elite French fencers regarding the analysis of factors which may influence motor
performance as far as initiation and the execution and accuracy of the touch [1, 2, 3, 4].
In terms of a bio-informational approach, the relationships between reaction time
(RT), movement time (MT) and accuracy (% targets hit) provides an account of the proc-
esses of programming and movement control and the strategies implemented.
The influence of factors on these strategies such as the type of uncertainty the athlete
is afflicted with, the specialisation that is connected to the weapon, fatigue after exercise
or the athlete’s lateralization can be analysed throughout the sports season.
In scientific literature, anticipation in experimental precueing paradigms manifests
itself through the perceptual aspect and priming for motor preparation. These two sources
of uncertainty, which are covered herein, do not influence RT and MT in the same way.
If, in general, we were to esteem that there is no correlation between RT and MT, the
RT-MT relationship in an individual is affected by the strategies adopted based on the
tasks he/she is confronted with.
The RT may serve as the basis for programming a complete movement (long RT) in
which the execution needs no more control (short MT). On the other hand, in a sequenc-
ing strategy, RT is only responsible for the initial phase (short RT) of the movement in
which the programming will be completed in a short execution (long MT).
7
Book of Abstracts
Likewise, we know that each individual has an optimal speed-accuracy trade-off

(SATO) strategy which links MT and accuracy: the shorter the MT, the lower the ac-
curacy.
As far as elite French fencers, these interactions manifest themselves differently based
on the weapons.
Foil fencers will show short RT (probably tied to convention), but long MT and high
accuracy.
Epee fencers will have longer RT, but short MT and average accuracy.
Elite non-fencing athletes will adopt an average profile in RT and MT in comparison
to the aforementioned athletes, with lower accuracy.
Spatial uncertainty regarding the targets produces different effects. It does not affect
foil fencers’ RT or accuracy, nor does it affect epee fencers’ MT or accuracy. It marginally
lengthens foil fencers’ MT and epee fencers’ RT, and significantly lengthens non-fencers’
RT and MT.
Does repeating exercises affect these strategies? It seems to reduce foil fencers’ MT
and non-fencers’ MT and accuracy. It would increase foil fencers’ RT and epee fencers’
MT. Foil fencers are still the quickest at releasing their movement and epee fencers are
quicker at executing whereas non-fencers fall to 39% accuracy.
As far as lateralization, it would seem that a preferential eye-hand cross-coordina-
tion ratio, especially right eye/left hand, would make it possible to more quickly initiate
a reaction with the left hand in the direction of a target visual signal by saving on the
interhemispheric transfer. In order to initiate hand extensions towards the targets under
time constraint, with speed and accuracy, this facilitator effect of the dominant eye on the
contralateral hand first manifests itself on the response hand in terms of RT, then in terms
of MT on the contralateral hand, as long as it is the preferential hand.
In visual-spatial-motor tasks, which is what we are interested in here, the dominant
eye has a privileged relationship with the ipsilateral hemisphere, after relay by the lateral
geniculate nucleus. The latter is both the “attention gate keeper” and, on the side of the
dominant eye, “the pointsman” for specific lateralized effects. It notably shortens the
egocentric spatial reference anchored to the dominant eye fovea. This functional ocular
dominance is notably responsible for the central representation of the vertical meridian
and allows the system to avoid a binocular rivalry when accurate and quick visual-motor
adjustments (vergence, ocular jerks, hand movement orientation, etc.) towards a suddenly
perceived target are required [5].
On the contrary, as regards the manual response, the response hand is in a functional
relationship, via its motor area, with the contralateral hemisphere. As a result, the func-
tional relationship between the visual input and the motor output only involves one hemi-
sphere when the dominant eye and the response hand are contralateral themselves.
8
Book of Abstracts
References
[1] Stein, J-F. (1998). Vision et sport : Aspects fonctionnels de la vision périphérique.
XIIème Congrès Médical et Scientifique de la FIE. La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel.
[2] Devienne, M-F. (1998). Effet de l’exercice physique sur l’orientation spatiale de
l’attention visuelle et la préparation à l’action. Thèse lettres er Sciences Humaines
(STAPS), Paris X.
[3] Devienne, M-F., Audiffren, M., Ripoll, & Stein, J-F. (2000). Local muscular fatigue
and attentional processes in a fencing task. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 90, 315-
318.
[4] Prothoy, I., Cabon, P., Mollard, R., Stein, J-F. (2004) – Effets d’une exposition à la
lumière vive sur les performances en escrime réalisées sur simulateur. Cinésiologie,
n° 213, 12-15.
[5] Azémar, G., Stein, J-F. & Ripoll, H. (in press). Role of visual attention in sporting
duels: effects of oculardominance on eye-hand coordination (review).
9
Analysys and evaluation of the reaction
response in complex fencing actions
MARCOS GUTIÉRREZ DÁVILA
Laboratorio de Biomecánica Deportiva - Universidad de Granada
Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, Granada (España)
Correspondence to:
marcosgd@ugr.es
Keywords:
Analysis, Actions, Reaction, Motor Control, Behaviour
This paper is a theoretical approach on complexity analysis in fencing actions. There-

fore we begin from a wide documentation review and a logical structure based on behav-
ioral models and the motor programs theories in Motor Control, particularly we based on
Servosystem Model and Squeme Motor Theory (Schmidt, 1975) for fencing movement
analysis. For this analysis during information processing in fencing we used Reaction
Time (RT) within Reaction Response (RR) paradigm, mainly choice reaction time (RTc)
and selection reaction time (RTs). Stimuli behavior in fencing for Reaction Response
are different respect to another sports, therefore we analysed widely this characteristic,
mainly stimuli cause by the opponent. The first fencer uncertainly is the relevant stimulus
selection which could appear during opponent movement; therefore stimuli used during
fencing reaction response measure must be as a competition simulation. There are another
factors analyzed in relation with fencing reaction response as muscular fatigue or anthr-
pometrics factors.
To conclude we propose the conditions for using reaction response in fencing as a
measure of motor control and learning. We try to establish criteria to reaction response
measures as result to apply Motor Squeme Theory to fencing.
10
Brain responses related to cognitive-
motor processes in the elite fencers
CLAUDIO BABILONI1,2, CLAUDIO DEL PERCIO1,2,3, FABRIZIO VECCHIO1,
NICOLA MARZANO1,3, MARCO IACOBONI1, ROBERTA LIZIO1,3,
FRANCESCO INFARINATO1,3, ANTONIO FIORE4, GIANCARLO TORÀN4,
PIERLUIGI ASCHIERI5,6, FABRIZIO EUSEBI1,3,7
1
Dipartimento di Fisiologia Umana e Farmacologia, Università “Sapienza”, Roma (Italia)
2
IRCCS “San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli” , AFaR, Brescia (Italia)
3
Istituto di Medicina e Scienza dello Sport - CONI, Via dei Campi Sportivi 46, Roma (Italia)
4
Schermalab, Federazione Italiana di Scherma, Roma, (Italia)
5
Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate ed Arti Marziali (FIJLKAM), Roma, (Italia)
6
Facolta` di Scienze Motorie, Universita` de L’Aquila, L’Aquila, (Italia)
7
Neuromed IRCCS, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli Isernia, (Italia)
Correspondence to:
claudio.babiloni@uniroma1.it
Keywords:
Sport science, Elite fencing athletes, High-resolution electroencephalography (EEG),
Event-related desynchronization (ERD), Alpha rhythms, Audio-visual flickering stimulation
Introduction
In the present study, we investigated the effects of a prestimulus (1 min) 10-Hz flicker-
ing stimulation on alpha electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms and cognitive-motor
performance in elite (fencing) athletes and in non-athletes during visuo-spatial motor
demands. The working hypothesis was that after the end of that 10-Hz flickering stimula-
tion, the power of pre-stimulus alpha rhythms and the cognitive performances are modu-
lated in both athletes and non-athletes.
Methods and Materials

Electroencephalographic (EEG) data were recorded (56 channels; EB-Neuro) in 14 elite
fencing athletes and in 14 non-athletes during visuo-spatial-motor demands (i.e. subjects
had to react to pictures of fencing and karate attacks). The task was performed after pre-
stimulus 15- (placebo) or 10-Hz (experimental) flickering audio-visual stimulation last-
ing 1 min and after no stimulation (baseline).
11
Book of Abstracts
Discussion and Conclusion

With reference to the baseline condition, only the 10-Hz stimulation induced a negative
correlation between pre-stimulus alpha power and reaction time in the fencing athletes
and non-athletes as a single group. The higher the enhancement of alpha power before the
pictures, the stronger the improvement of the reaction time. The maximum effects were
observed in right posterior parietal area (P4 electrode) overlying sensorimotor integra-
tive cortex (fig. 1). Similar results were obtained in a control experiment in which eight
elite karate subjects had to react to pictures of karate and basket attacks. The present
results suggest that a preliminary 10-Hz sensory stimulation can modulate EEG alpha
rhythms and sensorimotor performance in both elite athletes and non-athletes engaged in
visuo-spatial-motor demands. Identification of the EEG state of sporting experts prior to
their performance provides a plausible rationale for the modulation of alpha rhythms to
enhance sporting performance in athletes and sensorimotor performance in patients to be
rehabilitated.
Fig. 1. Scatterplots showing the statistically significant results of correlation analysis

performed between the alpha ERD/ERS and the percentage variation of reaction time
in the 10 Hz-flick when referenced to the BL condition. The correlation was per-
formed in the non-athletes and in the fencing athletes as a single group.
12
Schermalab: a scientific research model
for federations
ANTONIO FIORE
President of the Medical Commission FIS - Federazione Italiana Scherma, Roma (Italia)
Correspondence to:
ant.fio@virgilio.it
Keywords:
Model, Research, Health, Federations, Technology
In medical and health terms, the sports federations’ demands are as follows:
1. Protection of athletes’ health

2. Anti-doping measures
3. Collaboration with the Sports Technology Sector for Olympic Preparation
4. Scientific research into Fencing
All the points listed above can be tackled within the framework of an integrated project
that takes into account the specificity of the context in which it has to operate.
In this context, the Italian environment has the following basic features:
1. a wide nationwide spread of athletes and teachers;

2. an organisational model for the sports technology sector that does not have a central-
ised structure (Federal Centre), but which is rather based on periodical group training
sessions to prepare for the major competitions;
3. absence of a teacher training school at which technicians would be provided with the
technological training required to enable them to manage all aspects of training;
4. the need to create from scratch a culture of scientific research into fencing, which is
sorely needed in view of the consistently excellent historical competitive results;
5. reluctance on the part of the federation to invest in research.
SchermaLab is a project based first and foremost on the need to protect the health of
athletes who, in many cases, have become fully fledged professionals, often with their
own technicians and doctors.
13
Book of Abstracts
Parallel to the protection of health, and also inseparable from it, is the fight against
doping, which is one of the institutional obligations of sports federations.
Success in sport cannot be achieved without constant medical support.
Training is a process that presupposes good health and the assignation of work loads
that take into account the specificities of each individual.
Sports doctors must not therefore limit themselves to simply treating pathologies, but
must play an active role in the athlete’s preparation, making their own knowledge avail-
able to the athlete’s technicians, enhancing their programmes through targeted research
projects and, finally, coordinating and interacting with teachers, physical trainers and all
the professionals working in the training environment.
In other words, the role of the federation doctor is to promote synergy between a great
number of professionals working with top athletes.
Improving training systems is an unrealisable objective without a significant quantita-
tive and qualitative increase in basic information relating to the main functional param-
eters of each athlete, and also in scientific knowledge relating to fencing disciplines.
After decades in which researchers’ attention was aimed at the study of metabolic
parameters, over the last few years there has been a gradual increase in interest in the
biomechanical and neuro-physiological aspects of fencing.
In this context, during 2005 SchermaLab started cooperation with NeuroLab, a re-
search group from the Università La Sapienza di Roma, managed by Professor Eusebi and
coordinated by Professor Babiloni, within the framework of a scientific initiative to study
the functioning of certain neuro-physiological parameters in the fencer’s brain.
The initial studies have led to extremely interesting results, above all in relation to the
analysis of the activity of certain cortical areas closely involved in sensorial stimulation
processing.
The aim of the project is to construct an effective “fencing simulator” with a dual
research and training function.
14
Technology in high level fencing
JOSE EDUARDO CORREIA DOS SANTOS
SEMI Commission President
Fédération Internationale d’Escrime
Correspondence to:
jecdossantos@gmail.com
Keywords:
Fencing, Technology, Materials, Fabrics, Wireless, Apparatus.
Part I
The Technology and the High Level Fencing
It is explained how the technology helps and can help the development of Fencing. Name-
ly towards a more better media exposure, less expensive and less complicated sport, with
more fair play and helping the action of the fencers, coaches and of the referees.
The coordination of the FIE / IFF - International Fencing Federation - and of the role
of the SEMI commission, as the Governing Body in which concerns the fencing material
and equipment. Among the many services which the SEMI provides is the update of the
official text of the Material Rules issued by the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime, tak-
ing into account the current needs and material specifications. This conducts to a better
relationship between the SEMI and the Fencing equipment manufacturers.
The application to Fencing of new materials, such as the new telecommunication sys-
tems and the NTIC - New Technologies of the Information and of the Communication.
The evolution of the fencer`s PPE - Personal Protective Equipment and of the
weapons.
The European Standard EN13567 and the FIE material rules.
The evolution from the initial electrical foil, sabre and épée to the present state of the
art of the apparatus. The rules governing foil, épée and sabre competitions judged with
the electrical judging apparatus were adopted in 1957, 1936 and 1988 and modified by
various later FIE`s Congresses up to the present specifications.
The limits of applying technology to Fencing, and what is not needed.
15
Book of Abstracts
Part II
Technology applied to Fencing Equipment and Material - the FIE ap-
proval and control
How the equipment and material, such as: Masks (traditional and Transparent Visor),
Uniforms, Blades, Epee and foil Tips, Strips / Pistes, Fencing Electrical Signalling ap-
paratus including wireless, gets the FIE approval and due to the certification the right to
use the FIE label, the so called “Homologation FIE” in French language
The need of the weapons` and material check in order to guarantee the conformity to
the rules and the safety of the fencers.
The lists of the FIE approved blades and masks, the list of National Uniforms logos.
The principal non-conformities : blades non-FIE, short electrical jackets, masks,
gloves and equipment in bad condition, etc.
How the equipment (apparatus, pistes ...) that is used the Olympic Games is selected.
A real case study of the Material and Weapons Check at the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Games based on a training given to 42 Chinese NTOs (National Technical Officials) is
presented.
The differences and reasons of the material and weapons` check at the Olympic Games
if compared with the Fencing World Championships are stressed.
All the above subjects are explained in a presentation that will clarify many doubts
and will enlighten the participants about the present way How Technology is Applied to
High Level Fencing.
Acknowledgments
I acknowledge: the FIE`s President FIE, Mr. René Roch, for the many years of work to-
gether, where his vision and concern in modernising Fencing with the application of the
technology, bearing in mind the fair-play and the safety of the fencers. To the President
of the Federació Catalana d’Esgrima and President of the Executive Committee of the 1st
International Congress on Science and Technology in Fencing, Dr. Xavier Iglesias, for
promoting this congress where the state of the art of some of the studies of fencing are
gathered. To my nine colleagues of the FIE`s commission of the SEMI for their devoted
time to the works carried out by the FIE`s Commission of the Signalisation Eléctrique
du Matériel et des Installations which serves and the cause of Fencing. To all the accred-
ited Manufacturers of Fencing, for all the years of an exceptionally good relationship and
fruitful exchange of ideas. To all the fencers and their coaches who accept and collaborate
in the enforcement of the rules that conduct to a better, fair, more spectacular, easier to
understand and safer fencing.
16
Book of Abstracts
References
Règlements de la FIE disponibles sur le site www.fie.ch
1. REGLEMENT POUR LES EPREUVES, Introduction

2. REGLEMENT TECHNIQUE, décembre 2007
3. REGLES D’ORGANISATION, décembre 2007
4. REGLEMENT DU MATERIEL, décembre 2007
5. CODE DE LA PUBLICITE, décembre 2007
6. Nouvelles règles pour les armes conventionnelles: fleuret et sabre
7. Liste des masques homologués (30.06.2007)
8. Liste des lames homologuées (05.07.2007)
9. Identité corporative de la FIE
10. Statuts de la FIE, décembre 2007
11. Correia Dos Santos, J.E. How to produce an Internet site available to media and public
use, Executive Masters in Sports Organisation Management MEMOSVII 2004, ID-
HEAP Lausanne, Université de Lyon 1, CIO
12. Fencing, Competitive Training and Practice. The Foil, the Epée, The Sabre. Bach H,
Tau, published by Matiff International Enterprise Ltd.
13. Ferrand, A. & Torrigiani, L. (2003), Olympic Sport Organisation Marketing Manage-
ment, MEMOS.
14. Cahier des Charges des Championnats du Monde de la FIE, (2007), www.fie.ch
15. Chappelet, J-L. et Kubler, B. International Olympic Committee and the Olympic
System (IOC)
16. Olympic Charter, in force as from 7 July 2007, International Olympic Committee
(IOC)
17. Escrime Internationale, several articles from magazines starting from number 1 up to
the present editions.
18. Logos des tenues FN, www.fie.ch
17
Use of modern microprocessors in
fencing devices. ATLAS a new complete
line of scoring machines based on the
PIC16F877 microprocessor.
J. FERNANDO DÍAZ1, MARIANO ESTEBAN2, JOAQUÍN CAMPOMANES3,
MIGUEL OJEDA4 AND PIET WAUTERS5.
1
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas, Madrid (España).
2
Moprodi S.L., Coslada (España)
3
Real Federación Española de Esgrima, Madrid (España)
4
Federació Catalana dÉsgrima, Barcelona (España)
5
IBM Global Business Services, Applications Services (Belgium)
Correspondence to:
fer@cib.csic.es
Keywords:
Fencing devices, Training, Microprocessors
In the origins of fencing the main problem for the referee was to know whether the weapon
has effectively hit or not. Given the high speed at which the weapons of the athletes move,
three or five judges per court were required, and even so objectivity of the decisions was
very limited. To solve this problem electrical signalling equipment was introduced. Due
to the non-existence of different surfaces to differentiate, the easier device to build is this
for epee which was introduced in 1936, followed for the one for foil in 1957 and finally
this for sabre in 1988.
These signalling apparatus were based on relays which were able to block the device
a certain time after one of the athletes had scored a hit. These machines led to a virtually
complete objectivation of the epee matches because it was possible to determine which
of the athletes he had first hit his adversary, and thus to know the one that should be
awarded the point. Subsequently electronic devices based on solid state logic gates were
introduced, those devices were much more robust, but still have the disadvantage of do
not allowing changes in the time of contact and lock of the circuit.
The first revolution in signalling equipment was the introduction in 1986 of AMC
(Allstar micro-computers), which replaced the technology based on relays for the this
of microprocessors. Based on a microprocessor Rockwell at 4 MHz and equipped with
18
Book of Abstracts
16 kbytes of EPROM memory, this machine has become (despite its high price, 900 €)
the fencing apparatus par excellence. This technology is currently used by the Centro de
Alto Rendimiento (Spanish Fencing Federation) in Madrid, the Centro de Tecnificación
National Training Center Training in Madrid (Madrid Autonomous Goverment) Fenc-
ing Federation) and the High Performance Center in Barcelona (Catalonian Autonomous
Goverment), in addition to many clubs along Spain.
In 2004, the International Fencing Federation decided to make changes to sabre and
foil scoring devices with the intention of objectivise refereeing of convention weapons.
Due to the proprietary character the software that AMC devices use and the need the re-
place the EPROM memory chips in which the software resides, the update had a consider-
able cost (110 € for AMC) for these microprocessor-based devices. Moreover, it was not
possible to upgrade the logic gates based equipment.
We developed a scoring device based on a microprocessor Motorola HC11 to perform
the tests conducted by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) for the introduction of
the new rules. This device provides a great advantage over the AMC, its software does not
reside in an EPROM but in 2 kbytes of internal EEPROM. Despite its small memory, the
device can be updated through a RS232 serial connection, which is allowed to test several
different rule proposals for the selection of the most suitable. Once finished testing the
Spanish Federation of Fencing commissioned the construction of a series of these signal-
ling equipment in use at present.
Unfortunately, these devices had the disadvantage of its difficult programming (soft-
ware has to be written in assembler), the most complex electronics required and that they
are less robust than modern processors. To overcome these drawbacks we have developed
a new device based on the processor PIC16F877 of MICROCHIP with 8 Kbytes of Flash
memory, more advanced, robust and simple that the previous one. This device constitutes
the basis of a new set of equipment which is equipping in an economical and homogene-
ous way many clubs in Spain. The device has been developed under the trade name Atlas
and standalone and racks versions able to control 5 to 10 tracks, exist. Soon a version with
scoreboard and timer with FIE approval will be released.
The device has the option of up to 6 different modes by combining two switches. It
uses 3 of them for epee, sabre and foil programs and a fourth position for an automatic
mode that allows detection of the weapon used by athletes. The other two positions can be
used for specific preparation methods (i.e. epee without double hit, convention weapons
with longer blocking time). ATLAS devices are programmable in C using free compilers
for PIC microprocessors.
19
Challenges in designing a wireless
scoring system for modern fencing
PIET WAUTERS1, JOAQUÍN CAMPOMANES2 AND J. FERNANDO DÍAZ3
1
IBM Global Business Services, Applications Services (Belgium)
2
Real Federación Española de Esgrima, Madrid (España)
3
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas, Madrid (España)
Correspondence to:
piet.wauters@be.ibm.com
Keywords:
Wireless, Scoring, System, Signal, Hit
In this article an overview will be given of the main challenges in designing a “wireless
scoring system for fencing”, with the boundary conditions that
• Changes to the existing equipment of the individual fencer are not allowed
• Sensitivity specifications remain similar
• Reliability is as good as wired systems
• Resistance against tampering should be good enough for competitions
Further, the total system cost should be of the same order of magnitude as the existing
wired systems.
We will start with a functional system decomposition, and a quick recapitulation of
how this is implemented in a wired system. Then we will describe the main differences in
a wireless vs. a wired system and how those differences impact the design of a wireless
system.
Basically, traditional systems rely on 2 principles: one unique voltage reference and
one unique time reference per system. In a wireless system there are at least two inde-
pendent time and voltage references.
This results in the following challenges:
20
Book of Abstracts
• How to reliably detect a contact of the tip or blade with the opponents lame, weapon
or the piste, even when multiple electrical contacts between different surfaces exist
(e.g. Contact of own weapon with lame).
• How to make sure that only the first hit results in a signal if a second hit of the op-
ponent arrives later that the blocking time.
Then a solution for each design challenge will be explained. The article will end with
some concluding remarks and topics for further investigation.
21
Collaborative IT Technologies (open
source, web 2.0) applied to fencing
MIGUEL OJEDA
T- Systems Open Source Competence Center, Barcelona (España)
Correspondence to:
m.ojeda@telefonica.net
Keywords:
Internet, Open source, Web collaboration
The fast development of the Internet has eased enormously collaborative work. The World
Wide Web, used initially mainly for unidirectional communication, has come progres-
sively to a model where much of the content is provided by the users themselves, in a
very rich knowledge exchange. This new model was named Web 2.0 in 2004. Although its
definition is not exact, several tools and techniques are considered characteristic: forums,
blogs, comments, wikis, RSS, mashups, social networks, social bookmarking, P2P net-
works, crowdsourcing... represented by some sites like YouTube, Flickr, Blogger, eBay,
Wikipedia, Digg, MySpace... All of them have in common the provision of content by the
users and/or the possibility to combine content from different sources.
A phenomenon that has grown in parallel with Web 2.0 is free (open source) software.
The ability to develop IT programs collaboratively has open great possibilities, many of them
still to be explored. Very complex and high quality products have been developed this way
(Linux operating system, OpenOffice.org, Firefox browser, database MySQL...). Many of
these products are backed by enterprises, although many small projects are maintained solely
by communities, as most of the 170.000 projects hosted in Sourceforge.net repository.
Both phenomena (web 2.0 and open source) feed mutually, as many of the applica-
tions used in Web 2.0 are free software (e.g. phpBB or SMF for forums, Wordpress for
blogs, Mediawiki for wikis...), and the open source phenomenon has grown due to the
possibility to collaborate remotely, using open source tools.
Another interesting concept appeared with Web 2.0 is the “long tail” (Chris Ander-
son, 2004). It means that with the new distribution channels, some products and services
addressed to a more specific and reduced audience can be economically as attractive as
great mass products. That is, mass market can be as important as a market with millions
of “niches”.
22
Book of Abstracts
And... where is fencing in all this? Our sport has features that can leverage very well
this scenario. On the one hand, it’s one of the “niches” where the long tail is somehow
applicable. And on the other, in my opinion, it has a lack of bottom-up initiatives, that is,
not backed directly by federations. New collaborative technologies can:
• Create products and services that other way would be unfeasible (e.g. magazines,
online and recorded broadcastings, IT programs...)
• Give cohesion to several groups (fencers, clubs), crossing national borders, extend-
ing the “fencing culture” to new countries
• Help design better initiatives for the future of fencing, thanks to the number and
variety of people involved
The possibilities are huge, and the situation, with some exceptions, very incipient:
• There are already several fencing blogs, but are not easy to find and syndicate. A
magazine (syndicating portal, “mashup”) that combines inputs from several sources
could be very interesting. For example, there could be chronicles from all high level
competitions, or first hand information about fencing in several countries. Use of
RSS should be recommended for all fencing sites.
• In combination with the previous point, several “meeting sites” between fencers,
clubs and other associations (e.g. World Cup organizers) could give a new dyna-
mism to our sport, easing some initiatives, very difficult in other circumstances.
• There are scarcely ten open source projects about fencing in Sourceforge; if there
is enough funding, an open source basic program could be adapted to any platform
or language, and to any usage, not always an official one (competition management,
leagues, club management, club and association web sites...).
• Compliance of some interoperability requirements could allow online Internet
broadcasting of competitions and/or results to become a permanent and common
practice; results and images could be easily syndicated for an immediate snapshot of
competitions in progress (or recent)
• A site or sites dedicated to generating ideas applied to fencing could produce very
interesting results (e.g. the “digg” technique with the free program “pligg”).
In some of these initiatives, the lack of a single communication language can be a bar-
rier. That’s why the actual progress in automatic translation tools could allow in the near
future to increase even more the benefits of collaborative techniques.
This year, from Barcelona, we are planning to create an international fencing maga-
zine and meeting point (esgrima.org). Everybody is welcome to participate!
23
Fencing: communication and
dissemination via the internet
ANTONIO FIORE
President of the Medical Commission FIS - Federazione Italiana Scherma, Roma (Italia)
Correspondence to:
ant.fio@virgilio.it
Keywords:
Communication, Dissemination, Internet, Fencing
Fencing is not, relatively speaking, a very popular sport in Italy.

Indeed, the number of paid-up members is around twelve thousand: a far cry from
sports like football, volleyball, basketball, swimming, golf.
Thus, there is a significant difference in fencing between the small number of paid-
up members and the great importance fencing has in our country in terms of historical
and cultural tradition, the high quality of its practitioners, and the number of success-
ful results – in particular, Olympic successes – achieved since the start of the modern
games era.
Therefore, one of the main objectives of the Italian Fencing Federation should, in
my opinion, be to increase the dissemination of information on and awareness about our
sport, in order to:
1. Make it more popular among and understandable to the general public;

2. Increase the number of practitioners and paid-up members of all ages;
3. Attract sponsors to boost economic resources.
All these objectives are impossible to achieve without a proper communication strat-
egy and above all a series of initiatives aimed at increasing public interest.
The structure of FIS’s current communication apparatus seems to be outdated and out
of step with the requirements of a modern company.
The entire structure is actually based on a press office with two employees, a non-in-
teractive website and a bi-monthly magazine.
There is no marketing office, for example, and a project specifically aimed at increas-
ing the sport’s exposure in the media has never been undertaken.
24
Book of Abstracts
There is no policy of maintaining a relationship with the main television networks.

Above all, without adequate investment and a forward-looking view of the future of
this sport it is difficult to see how the communication field can develop.
Internet is a planet-wide phenomenon enabling information to be disseminated in real
time.
Its main strength lies in interactivity.
The opportunity every user has to express his/her opinions and to communicate with
other Network users therefore plays a fundamental part in the extraordinary importance
this medium has assumed worldwide.
Considering the communication aspect, fencing is not just a sport; it is also a disci-
pline that sometimes presents even artistic content, with a historical tradition that is part
of man’s cultural heritage.
The history of literature, poetry, theatre, melodrama and cinema, is indeed full of ref-
erences to fencing, duelling, and its protagonists.
The idea at the basis of the project to set up the fencing web site was to create a con-
nection that is seldom made in sport: the one between the sporting-physical component
and the cultural, or even scientific component of this discipline.
Fencing means quality: This was the reasoning behind the web site www.schermaon-
line.com: a site set up right after the Athens games, providing 360-degree information on
fencing, without excluding references to other subjects.
The real strong point of this project, though, was the interactive element, which ena-
bled the public to “build” and invent media content, by means of articles and comments
posted in a forum.
The figures speak clearly: from 2004 to today, www.schermaonline.com has become
the most widely diffused web site in Italy, with a number of visitors that has exceeded
even that of the official FIS site.
The bases of its success have been:
• A wide variety of quality content provided in the most accessible way possible;
• Attention focused on current news and items from competition venues;
• The participation of those involved in the sport in Italy and internationally: athletes,
teachers, managers, etc.;
• The involvement of users, who have the opportunity to publish their own contribu-
tions;
• An innovative graphics look;
• The choice to aim as much as possible at images and video;
• A moderated forum, in which provocation, offensive comments, verbal attacks and
flaming are eradicated.
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Book of Abstracts
As things stand at the moment, the publishing operation, which is based at www.
schermaonline.com has led to the setting up of www.schermaonline.it , a site dedicated
to the publishing and discussion of articles of particular cultural and scientific signifi-
cance; www.fotoschermaonline.com, an images site; www.scherma.tv, a site exclusively
dedicated to video and short films, which is the basis for a potential Internet-TV project
on fencing.
26
Epidemiology of fencing injuries
PETER A. HARMER
FIE Medical Commission
Exercise Science and Sports Medicine
Department of Exercise Science - Willamette University
Salem, Oregon (USA)
Correspondence to:
pharmer@willamette.edu
Keywords:
Fencing, Injuries, Risk
Although fencing has a long history, and fatalities have been recorded, comparatively
little epidemiological research on fencing-related injuries and healthcare has been con-
ducted. Most of the available work suffered from a variety of flaws, including lack of a
standardized definition of a reportable injury, short survey periods, narrow survey areas
(often single competitions), and no exposure data. Case studies have been more common
but are still under-reported. Despite these problems a number of researchers, notably Roi
and Fasci in Italy (1986; 1988), demonstrated that fencing was generally safe, with few
competition-related time-loss injuries (0.00-0.22 per 1,000 AE).
Recently, a 5-year prospective national study has been completed in the USA and
provides the most extensive time-loss injury data in the world to date. The study covered
almost 80,000 participants of both genders, in all three disciplines, ranging in age from
8 to over 70 years old. The overall results support previous findings of low time-loss in-
jury rates in competitive fencing (0.03 per 1,000 AE). Moreover, this research found that
approximately 52% of the injuries that lead to a withdrawal were common sprains and
strains and 60% of all time-loss injuries were in the lower extremities. Penetrating/punc-
ture injuries, which are the most obvious cause of death and catastrophic injury in com-
petitive fencing, accounted for only 3% of injuries and 60% (3/5) were relatively minor.
Despite the low overall rate, specific gender and discipline differences were found.
Women had 35% greater risk of time-loss injury than men, and sabre fencers showed a
62% higher risk than foil and epee fencers. Female sabre fencers had the highest time-loss
injury rate of any gender-by-discipline group (0.51 per 1,000 AE). Additional analysis
showed that, contrary to some commentaries, veteran fencers did not have an increased
rate of injuries. In fact, the rate for veteran fencers was quite low (0.25 per 1,000 AE).
27
Book of Abstracts
While it is important to develop prospective epidemiological studies, the value of case

studies and case series research must not be overlooked, as these are often the clues to
significant emerging issues. For example, the extensive innovations introduced into sabre
fencing over the past decade and the composition and structure of sabre blades may be
interacting to increase the risk of specific types of penetrating injuries. The case study of
a broken blade, complete penetrating wound to the lateral neck of a female sabre fencer
in 2006 emphasizes the need to test the fatigue characteristics of sabre blades. In addition,
a case series (20 cases) of non-broken blade penetrating hand injuries in sabre should be
an impetus for meaningful reforms to protect these athletes. Summary explanations for
these injuries by various agencies in the fencing establishment, including the inexperi-
ence of the athletes or the vulnerability of “wet” gloves, have been shown to be lacking.
Inevitably, the value of epidemiological research in the early identification of unique, or
emerging, risk factors is limited if bureaus with the authority to mandate changes do not
respond meaningfully to the data.
The dangers of failing to appropriately utilize epidemiological research are highlight-
ed in the case studies of fatal and/or catastrophic injuries. These events are, obviously,
the worst for everyone in fencing. Despite the importance of research in eliminating such
incidents, the FIE has issued no reports on the two fatal injuries that have occurred in the
past five years. It is clear that examination of each successive case may uncover associa-
tions that can diminish these occurrences. For example, of the 4 fatal injuries identified
since 1990, all have been males who suffered penetrating chest wounds; two in foil and
two in epee; in three cases the fencers were young adults (ages 17-23) and the penetration
was by a broken blade. From these data, at least two modifiable risk factors are evident:
blade integrity and structure of protective clothing. Further analyses are necessary to de-
termine the likely impact of altering these, or other identifiable, risk factors.
However, without well-designed injury surveillance systems in place and improved
co-operation and communication between fencing researchers and fencing associations,
including the support of the FIE, progress toward improving the good safety record of
fencing will be impeded. In this case, fencers and the image of fencing will continue to
suffer unnecessarily.
28
Sabre fencing training, a challenge
for today
BEATRIZ SÁNCHEZ CÓRDOVA, MANUEL COPELLO JANJAQUE
Instituto Superior de Cultura Física “Manuel Fajardo”
La Habana (Cuba)
Correspondence to:
beatriz@inder.co.cu
Keywords:
Fence, Sable, Methodology, Training
Transformations made by the introduction of the electronic apparatus in sabre fencing

has meant an important change for this sport from a technological point of view, and at
the same time serious technical and tactical difficulties in the regulations as well as in the
clothing of the athletes.
This situation was harder for those countries that did not have immediate access to
the new technology, Cuba being among them. This research was aimed at attenuating the
demands of these changes. This derived from an intensive process that was instigated by
the FIE President as he had declared this Olympic sport as the one that has undergone the
most transformation in recent years. A historical review of this sport up to the present day
revealed the characterizations of fencing competitions.
An important method applied in this work was directed observation of the competitors
in the “Villa de la Habana” World Cup from 1998 to 2001 and interviews carried out with
top personalities from all over the world.
The research takes into consideration the latest tendencies and the results obtained
confirm the dialectic relationship between the way technological innovations affect the
behaviour of athletes which in turn provoke a demand for technological transformation.
References
1. Alvarez, I. M. (1997), Modalidades y modelos de investigación, Folleto del Departa-
mento de Psicología. Universidad Central de las Villas. Cuba.
2. Alvarez, I. M. (1997), Metodología de orientación humanística-interpretativa: Dis-
eños cualitativos de investigación, Folleto del Departamento de Psicología. Universi-
dad Central de las Villas. Cuba.
29
Book of Abstracts
3. Alvarez de Zayas, C. y Sierra Lombardía, V. (2000), La investigación científica en la

sociedad del conocimiento, Material impreso. Ciudad de la Habana.
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la Habana.
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Lleida, INEFC.
30
Book of Abstracts
21. Lagardera, F. (1998), Investigación social cualitativa aplicada al ámbito de las prác-
ticas físico-deportivas, en Programa de Doctorado en el Instituto Superior de Cultura
Física “Manuel Fajardo”. Lleida, INEFC.
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formación de la “Escuela Cubana de Esgrima”; M. Ortiz, Tutor, Trabajo de Diploma,
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Moscú y Ciudad de la Habana.
31
Physiological testing and bioenergetics
in fencing
XAVIER IGLESIAS, FERRAN A. RODRÍGUEZ
Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya,
Universitat de Barcelona (España)
Correspondence to:
xiglesias@gencat.cat
Keywords:
Fencing, Testing, Strength, Oxygen uptake, Heart rate, Bioenergetics
Introduction
Fencing performance is mainly based on technical and tactical factors. However, fencers
face increasingly larger training and competitive loads which makes it relevant to further
investigate the physiological demands imposed by both competition and training. During
the last decade we have searched for and obtained new information on the cardiorespira-
tory and energy demands of fencing during real and simulated competition, as well as
on the physiological profiles of competitive fencers of various age, gender, weapon, and
performance levels.
Material and Methods

Three different studies were carried out on the cardiorespiratory and metabolic demands
of fencing. On a first study (Iglesias 1997, Iglesias & Rodríguez 1999a), 13 fencers (6
women, 7 men; foil and epee, respectively) were followed along 177 matches during two
international competitions. Heart rate (HR) was continuously monitored every 5 s, and
blood lactate samples were obtained at the end of each round (69 matches). On a second
study (Iglesias 1997, Iglesias & Rodríguez 1999b), HR and cardiorespiratory parameters
were continuously monitored using portable telemetric equipment (K2 Cosmed, Italy) in
10 fencers (8 men, 2 women). They all performed a maximal incremental treadmill test
previous to taking part on training épée assaults (15, 5, and 1 hits), as well as on a national
competition. HR-matched estimated VO2 values were then compared to direct telemetry
measurements during training matches. On a third, confirmatory study (Iglesias et al. in
press), 10 male épée fencers took part in training assaults (15 and 5 hits) and were con-
tinuously monitored using a portable telemetric gas analyzer (K4b2 Cosmed, Italy).
32
Book of Abstracts
To characterize their lower limbs dynamic strength characteristics, 159 males and 56
female competitive fencers of regional, national and international level were tested using
a cross-sectional design. Testing included general tests (SJ, CMJ), and specific tests (Igle-
sias, 1997) designed to measure speed during the lunge action from a static position (TF)
and from a previous specific drop (TFS), as well as a shuttle test based on forward step,
backward step and lunge, 3 times over 5 m (T3x5). A contact platform (Bosco-Ergojump,
Italy), and a 2D video analysis system were used for the measurements. Unpaired t-test
was used to examine differences according to gender, age, and performance level.
Results
During an international competition average HR values were higher in females (mean
174 ± SD 3 beat·min-1) than in males (166 ± 3; beat·min-1). Blood lactate ranged from 1.8
to 6.4 mmol·L-1 (3.7 ± 1.1 mmol·L-1), with no differences according to gender or rounds.
Estimated VO2 over the anaerobic threshold averaged 41 ± 34% of total competition time,
39 ± 26% was at the transition zone, and 20 ± 18% was below the aerobic threshold. The
mean estimated oxygen cost of fencing assaults in a national competition was higher in
males (53.9 ± 4.4 mL·kg-1·min-1) than in females (39.6 ± 7.2 mL·kg-1·min-1). The average
relative intensity was 56-74% of VO2max measured on the treadmill (peak values 75-99
%). The estimated energy expenditure during the assaults was larger during an interna-
tional competition than in a national tournament (15.4 vs. 12.3 kcal·min-1), with higher
values in men than in women (19.5 vs. 10.7 kcal·min-1).
When competitive training assaults were monitored telemetrically in a group of 10
elite male fencers (VO2max 53.7 ± 9.0 mL·kg-1·min-1), mean relative intensity was 55%
of VO2max, reaching average peak values of 75%. When measured and predicted (HR-
matched) VO2 values were compared, a high correlation was observed (rmean=0.85). How-
ever, predicted values were 7.2 mL·kg-1·min-1 higher in average (SEE 465-527 mL·min-1),
corresponding to an average overestimation of 33% of the real values. When measured
VO2 and HR-matched values were compared during actual fencing (not on the treadmill),
the correlation values improved (rmean=0.90; SEE 59-103 mL·min-1), and mean overesti-
mation decreased to 5.1% of measured values. Finally, on a confirmatory study using the
K4b2 on male national fencers (n=10) during training assaults, we measured an average
VO2 of 41.4 ± 9 mL·kg-1·min-1, with peak values from 12.1 to 67.5 mL·kg-1·min-1, and HR
between 65 and 195 (159 ± 14) b·min-1.
Concerning our study on lower limbs dynamic strength, both in general and specific
tests, fencers showed better performance scores when the elastic component is further
elicited. Gender differences were observed over the age of twelve. Sabre fencers showed
a significantly higher elasticity index as compared with point hit weapon specialists (foil
and épée). The group of male international fencers showed higher scores in SJ and CMJ
tests as compared to national fencers.
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Book of Abstracts
Discussion and Conclusions

The cardiorespiratory and metabolic demands of fencing have been characterized, both
during national and international competitions based on HR-matched VO2 estimations
(Iglesias & Rodríguez 1999a), as well as during simulated competitive assaults using a
portable gas analyser (Iglesias & Rodríguez 1999b; 2008). Overall, our results can be
summarized as follows: 1) HR shows large variability during competition and progres-
sively increases with successive rounds; 2) individual variability on HR response seems
to be related to different factors such as individual cardiovascular adaptation, relevance
of the competition, round studied, opponent’s level, competitive dynamics, weapons, and
competitor’s gender; 3) HR-matched VO2 estimations significantly improve when match-
ing equations are developed during fencing as opposed to incremental tests on the labora-
tory (overestimation is can be reduced from 33% down to 5%); 4) VO2 measurements in
fencers, whether estimated during competition, telemetrically measured during training
assaults or determined through laboratory tests, clearly point out the relevant aerobic
requirements of fencing, particularly on males.
Our results confirm the hypothesis that testing dynamic strength of the lower limbs, as
indicated by simple general and specific tests, are relevant indicators of fencing perform-
ance with relation to age, gender, weapon and competitive level.
Further research is required to better identify physiological indicators of fencing per-
formance, to characterize physiological and mechanical loads during training, as well as
to develop better training methods for the enhancement of physical fitness.
References (truncated to 3)
1. Xavier Iglesias. Valoració funcional especifica en l’esgrima [Functional testing in fenc-
ing]. Doctoral dissertation. Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya, Univer-
sitat de Barcelona, 1997.
2. Iglesias X, Rodríguez FA. Physiological demands and energy cost of fencing during
competitions of national and international level. In Parisi et al. (eds.), Proceedings of
the 4th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Rome: ECSS,
1999a: 428.
3. Iglesias X, Rodríguez FA. Telemetric measurements versus heart-rate-matched oxy-
gen consumption during simulated competitive fencing assaults. In Parisi et al. (eds.),
Proceedings of the 4th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science.
Rome: ECSS, 1999b: 429.
34
ABSTRACTS
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Salomon, The Referee Assistant
ENRIQUE DÍAZ, IGNACIO LÓPEZ, FERNANDO MEDINA
Club de Esgrima Barajas
Madrid (España)
Correspondence to:
ediazt@gmail.com
Keywords:
Referee, Assistant, Mobile, Devices
Salomon is free software for mobile devices that makes easy the work of referees. Salo-
mon expects to unify in a single device all the referees’ needs, in order to complete suc-
cessfully a match, so the referee can concentrate in just refereeing.
In this document you will get information about the main features of Salomon and
how to get it. In the presentation you will have more detailed information.
Introduction
The idea to develop Salomon came from the observation of the troubles fencing referees
got during an assault. They have to annotate the live result of the match holding a block
and a pencil and they have to use a chronometer. The regulations specify that the referees
must do the signs clearly, so the fencers and the public know what the referee is saying.
It’s closely impossible to do that while both hands are occupied.
In the competitions with a scoreboard and a remote control, the referee uses just one de-
vice, allowing him to make the signs correctly.
Functions
Salomon has the following functions:
• chronometer
• score
• card indication
• period management
• priority lottery
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Book of Abstracts
Salomon takes advantage of the improvements that can be derived from the use of the
new device. For example, whenever a period of time arrives at its end, it activates the ca-
pacity of vibration of the mobile device, so the referee doesn’t need to be paying attention
to the chronometer since it will automatically warn him that the period has been com-
pleted.
Salomon is a software program like any other that is installed in a personal computer;
the only difference is that Salomon runs in a mobile device instead of a PC. This capacity
to program the device allows us to turn it in something similar to an expert system in fenc-
ing; thus, Salomon will behave in a different way if you arbitrate a poule or a direct
match. For example, Salomon “knows” that in a direct match, after a period of three min-
utes, there’s a rest period of one minute, and consequently will adjust the chronometer.
Handling of Salomon
Our main effort has been that Salomon be intuitive and easy to use. In the screen there are
only three elements:
• Chronometer
• Score of the fencer with green light
• Score of the fencer with red light
Conceptually, the scores of both fencers are the same thing, so in fact it is only neces-
sary to handle two elements: the chronometer and the score. In order to handle anyone of
them it is only necessary to highlight the element we wish and the actions that we can
make with that element will appear.
How much does Salomon cost?

Nothing. The sponsorship of the Club Esgrima Barajas (Barajas Fencing Club) has al-
lowed Salomon to be an Open Source project that is gratuitously distributed under the
GPL v3 license without cost.
What do I need to use Salomon?

Salomon was made using the Java programming language. Practically every mobile tel-
ephone supports it. Almost all the games for mobile telephones are made in Java, so if
your mobile telephone has games, there is a high probability that you can use Salomon.
In order to guarantee that Salomon can be installed in almost any mobile device it has
been developed according to the CLDC(1) and MIDP 2.0(2) specifications, which are
oriented to devices with very limited resources, like the mobile telephones. Of course, the
personal assistants (PDA), that are more complex devices, will be able to run this software
without problems.
37
Book of Abstracts
There are PDAs without Java Virtual Machine (the Java interpreter) pre-installed. In
this case, you have to install it before trying to install Salomon. Refer to your PDA’s user
manual to get detailed instructions about this case.
How can I get and install Salomon in my phone/PDA?

Salomon can be installed by any of the methods that your device admits. Typically they
will be several of the following ones:
• Infrared
• BlueTooth
• Cable
• Downloading from Internet: With your phone, go to the page http://enriquediaz.net/
programas.html, download Salomon and if your telephony operator and your phone
allows it, it will be installed automatically.
In order to obtain detailed instructions about how to get and install Salomon software
in your telephone you can visit the following sites:
• Club Esgrima Barajas official site

• http://clubesgrimabarajas.es
• Salomon official sites http://fencingsalomon.org or http://enriquediaz.net/salomon
(You can also obtain more information, like the user manual of the application.)
References
(1) CLDC: http://java.sun.com/products/cldc/
(2) MIDP:http://java.sun.com/products/midp/
38
Fencing and clinical psychology:
social intervention aspects
GIOVANNI LODETTI, GAIA OLDANI, ELENA POMESANO
A.I.P.P.S. (Association International Psychologie et Psychoanalyse du Sport)
Milano (Italia)
Correspondence to:
giovannilodetti@hotmail.com
Keywords:
Fencing, Clinical Psychology, Adolescence, Discomfort, Intervention, Disability
Introduction
This study was conceived in the context of the intervention in young age discomfort and
its prevention.
The theoretical basis is the fact that, through the observation of defence mechanisms (the
one detected by A. Freud) during the practice of sports, it is possible to detect some discom-
fort signals in order to plan an intervention program through this sports practice as well.
This study has been done between 2000 and 2001 in Milan and Desio and repeated in
the following years; it was the first study in the world based on this theoretical framework.
The intervention through sports practice has some characteristics useful for the educa-
tion and interesting characteristics for the children (meeting other children, feeling inde-
pendent and participating in a pleasant activity).
Moreover the rules of the sport allow the person to express freely, in a ‘socially ac-
cepted way’, the instincts that in a different context can make one feel guilty.
In this study we introduced and used fencing because it has more interesting aspects
related to the management of the self, compared with other sports, since it’s a fight but it
requires sophisticated technique and precision.
Materials and methods

We focused observations on 1224 kids of the primary schools (between 7 and 11 years
old), considering the importance of the discomfort prevention in young age.
The observation was done during the sports practice and it was done noting the behav-
iours on a grid that associated those behaviours to the related defence mechanisms. (grid
sample, image1)
39
Book of Abstracts
In the second phase we used projective tests (TAT and Three tests) in order to check
what was detected in the observation phase.
The fencing was practiced twice a week for two hours and taught by a fencing master.
There were two psychologists who observed the children; the teachers of the school
were present and they could intervene if needed.
Discussions and conclusion

After the observation and test phases we proposed the fencing practice again.
In the sports practice context we inserted and proposed some role playing activity,
choosing the role we judged the most appropriate for each single child.
It was possible in this way to act on the most difficult ‘cases’ detected in the previous
phase through observation and tests (e.g. aggressiveness or hyperactivity).
We observed that the fencing practice together with the role playing improves the fol-
lowing aspects:
- Consciousness of the behaviour rules

- Socialization
- Creativity
- Attention
- Character building
- Ability to manage the own physical self
- Ability to cope with conflicts
We summarized these skills in 4 main items (see in image 2 the percentage of im-
provement of these items).
We had the possibility to include children with mental diseases such as Down syn-
drome.
Health managers, psychologists and sports operators, universities, hospitals, profes-
sional orders and provinces provided a collaboration network that led to the birth of the
‘clinical sports psychologist’.
This specific figure acts on the territory as operator and trainer within the projects re-
lated to the young age discomfort prevention, using the sports practice as preferred instru-
ment.
References
1) G.Lodetti, C.Ravasini, “Psychoanalytical aspects of Sport Activity: the Defence
Mechanisms”, 1st Congress of World Council for Psychotherapy, Wien, 30th June-
4th July 1996.
2) G Lodetti “L’aggressività ed il suo “cursus” nel gioco e nello sport. Approfondi-
menti nell’ottica dell’interpretazione clinica ed etologica”, Acts of 25° Convegno
40
Book of Abstracts
Europeo Giornate Pediatriche d’inverno, Madonna di Campiglio, 9th-14th Febru-

ary 2003, p 153-169, Mondadori Editore-Presidenza Consiglio dei Ministri. Soci-
età Italiana di Pediatria.
3) G.Lodetti, V. Tummino ”Psyche and fencing. Sports and growth metaphors”, Xth
European Congress of Psychology, Prague, 3rd-6th July 2007.
Illustrations
1)
ACTION NUMBERS MECHANISM

no save/direct hit suppression
violently hitting and then going to comfort cancellation
the opponent
saving without responding reaction formation
brash behaviour in front of the challenger denial
attribute the own behaviour to the challenger projection
self denigration, getting angry with oneself inversion
reversion to a previous technique regression
deny the defeat as a painful memory and not isolation
feel it as painful
saying to be unable to hit because of sudden somatisation
physical reasons
‘It doesn’t matter if I win or not: I play to sublimation
entertain the onlookers with my style’
2)
Autonomy and
creativity Self Control
22% 18%
Self Control
Abidance
Socialization
Autonomy and creativity
Abidance
Socialization
32%
28%
41
A comparison of the levels of CO2, O2
within the traditional épée fencing
mask and the visor mask, and their
effects on the performance of a simple
visuo-motor tracking task
SU STEWART
Northumbria University
United Kingdom
Correspondence to:
su.stewart@unn.ac.uk
Keywords:
Carbon dioxide, Oxygen, Masks, Visuo-motor, Skill
New technology has enabled a new design of fencing mask where approximately 70% of
the mesh, is replaced by a polycarbonate “visor”.
There is a possibility that due to reduced mesh area, the expired air may not be fully
vented from within the mask, which might build up, to become a reservoir of expired
carbon dioxide (CO2) which could be re-breathed by the fencer.
A single group repeated measures study was conducted to compare the levels of CO2,
and oxygen (O2), within the two types of mask, traditional mesh and visor mask design,
while exercising at a moderate exercise level, and to investigate the effects that these lev-
els have on the performance of a simple visuo-motor tracking task. The masks used were
both made by Leon Paul to FIE standards.
10 subjects (mean age 20, s = 1.398) were recruited from elite university female team
sport squads, consisting of international netball and basketball players. Fencers and div-
ers were excluded from the study to avoid issues with preferred styles of masks, and the
possibility of increased tolerance to CO2 as a result of multiple exposures. All subjects
gave their informed consent, and understood that they were free to stop testing at any time
without having to give a reason.
42
Book of Abstracts
In order to match the exercise pattern of a fencing fight of moderate fencing intensity,
subjects were asked to exercise at a running pace (2.4 m.s-1) for three bouts of three min-
utes, interspersed with one minute rest, while wearing a fencing mask.
During exercise bouts, samples of O2 and CO2 were taken sampled at 1Hz., via a flex-
ible 6mm silicon tube taped to the side of the subject’s face horizontal with, and 40 mm
from, their right nostril. Humidity levels were also recorded.
Before exercising commenced, and then after each of the three exercise bouts, the
subject s ability to concentrate was measured by a simple visuo-motor tracking task. The
subjects removed their mask and were required to track a 5mm diameter moving point
on a video monitor using a mouse driven cursor for 1 minute. The distance between the
point and the cursor was sampled at 25Hz, and the subject s mean discrepancy recorded.
All data was found to be normally distributed (Kolmogorov Smirnov p>0.05)
It was found that there was no significant difference between wearing the visor mask
and the traditional mask in the subjects visuo-motor tracking ability, after the first 3 min-
ute of exercise (t = 1.434, p=0.185), after the second 3 minutes of exercise (t = 0.949,
p=0.368), or after the third 3 minutes of exercise (t = 0.812, p=0.438).
There were no significant differences between the O2 levels or in CO2 levels found in
the two types of masks, P>0.05.
There was no cause for concern in terms of the mean levels of CO2 within either mask
design(traditional mask mean 1.73%, s 0.83; visor mask mean 0.967%, s 0.69), however
the maximum level of CO2 when exercising within the traditional mesh mask was 3.94%,
and visor mask 3.52% , which could be considered to be a cause for concern.
A number of studies have suggested that 3% inhaled CO2 might be the maximum
level that can be breathed for any length of time with no serious long term effects,
(Comroe,1965; Menn, Sinclair and Welch,1970). Any increase above 3%, however, will
cause increased rate and depth of breathing, and increased heart rate. Other symptoms
include increased pulse and breathing rates, flushed skin, extra systoles, muscle spasms,
raised blood pressure, and sweating. All of these symptoms could also be interpreted as
the results intense fencing.
During the breaks between points in a fencing competition, there is an opportunity for
the fencer to remove or lift their mask and breathe room air. It is recommended, therefore,
that fencers lift their masks whenever legal and safe to do so, to prevent the levels of CO2
building up within either design of mask.
43
Preliminary study on the combative
behavior of wheelchair fencers
1,2
VALBER LAZARO NAZARETH, 2EDISON DUARTE, 3XAVIER IGLESIAS
1
Brazilian Air Force Academy -AFA-
2
Adapted Physical Activity and Health, Physical Education College at the State University,
Campinas - Unicamp, Brasil
3
Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya -INEFC-,
Barcelona, Spain
Correspondence to:
valbernazareth@uol.com.br
Keywords:
Fencing, Adapted Physical Activity, Disability
I. Introduction
Characterizing itself as a pilot study for a doctorate research that has been developed in
the area of Adapted Physical Activity and Health, entitled Analysis of the Technical Be-
haviour of Wheelchair Fencing: Disabilities, Functionality and Performance in Sporting
encounters, this essay is a preliminary analysis on the combative behaviour of wheelchair
fencers, and, therefore, was aimed at assessing whether it is common in this sport for the
athletes to tactically use the functional deficits of the opponent’s disability.
The variability of deficiencies and its consequences vis-à-vis their functional limita-
tions brought to the area of wheelchair fencing a dimension for the emergence of new
movements and ways of technical execution, as well as strategies for problem solving.
This situation would be better understood through the adaptive competence of the in-
dividual with disabilities in solving the motor dilemmas through unusual motor ways.
(Manoel, 1996, p. 15)
In a three year observational study carried out at international competitions, one of the
most important aspects that emerged regarding the tactical attitude of the disabled fencers
during bouts was that we noticed that the best athletes, when confronting opponents in the
same fencing level but with a distinct disability, seemed to use the opponent’s disability
weaknesses when fighting in the same category.
Taking into consideration that the disabilities are very different as regarding the dif-
ficulties which the individual may or may not have to face in the motor and/or cognitive
44
Book of Abstracts
sphere, we developed the hypothesis that when gathering several fencers with distinct
disabilities in the same group, this situation may provide conditions for the emergence of
combative strategies based on the opponent’s motor disability.
II. Methods and materials

In first instance we tried to examine the relevance of accomplishing an investigation like
this and evaluate the variables that could influence the process of collecting data and test-
ing the instrument (pre-questionnaire). This would be reformulated and applied later in
the field work for the doctorate research.
The questionnaire used in this essay has 06 (six) open questions and 03 (three) closed
ones. In this case, 10 (ten) athletes were interviewed, 05 (five) men and 05 (five) women,
with an average age of 35 years old, 03 (three) were fencers in Category B and 07 (seven)
in Category A. We made this survey during the Spanish National Wheelchair Fencing
Tournament that took place in Seville in Andalusia.
In the data analysis we adopted a qualitative line through progressive and interactive
theorization of the subjects’ responses.
III. Results and discussion

The data in this analysis confirmed the previous hypothesis. The results showed that of10
(ten) interviewed athletes, 08 (eight) of them said that they take into account the disabil-
ity and the opponent’s motor limitations to when preparing their strategy for a bout and
consequently used their disability tactically. However, we must emphasize that, due to
the reduced sample of interviewed people, the results of this study cannot be considered
conclusive or as common for all wheelchair fencing athletes.
According to Czajkowski (1972, p. 73) it is only possible to realize something in the
face of what is known and understood, “... the better the fencer knows and understands
the fencing actions in relation to the tactic interdependence, the better he will notice and
understand the tactical situation on the track. “
Therefore, we are seeking to develop the perception of the opponent’s disability in
wheelchair fencing regarding their functional mobility conditions and supports for mov-
ing themselves on the wheelchair, as well as their strength, speed and coordination in
relation to the injured limbs (pictures 1 and 2).
Among these fencers, particularly, there is a consensus that it is not the type of disabil-
ity or injury that will determine the success in the bout, but the physical preparation and
the tactical-technical potential of the athlete. But they do not exclude the importance of
the information regarding the opponent’s disability and injury when structuring a bout.
IV. Final considerations

The results of this essay presented a basic idea about the combative behaviour of disabled
fencers. This pre-analysis offered important information which has meant the reformula-
45
Book of Abstracts
tion of the aims of the present doctorate investigation that from now on intends to promote
a pedagogical proposal of teaching and learning of fencing aimed specifically for disabled
people.
V. References
Czajkowski, Z. (1972) Enseñanza y perfeccionamiento de la acción de esgrima con
miras a su utilidad y aplicación en el combate. Sport Wyczynowy, 9 (1), 9-14.
Manoel, E. J. (1996) O estudo do comportamento motor da pessoa portadora de de-
ficiência: Problemas e questões. Revista Brasileira de Saúde Escolar, 5, 11-22.
Illustrations
Picture 1: Category A / Amputation of both Picture 2: Category A / Medullar

ankles and left wrist. (lack of the left hand Lesion level L1 (relative strength of
support and both feet). abdominal muscles and full left hand
support).
46
Differences in muscular performance,
growth and maturation between
children involved in swimming,
running, basketball, weight lifting
and fencing training
CHARILAOS TSOLAKIS, GREGORY C. BOGDANIS
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science
University of Athens, Greece
Correspondence to:
tsolakis@phed.uoa.gr
Keywords:
Children, Training, Explosive strength, Hormones
Introduction
There is sparsity of research data regarding the sports specific impact of different training
programmes to muscular performance and endocrine system adaptations during pubertal
development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sport-specific training
on muscular performance and on growth and maturation factors in prepubertal and early
pubertal children participating in regular training which primary aimed at practising of
the basic motor skills, in five different competitive sports (swimming, running, basket-
ball, weight lifting and fencing).
Material and method

A total of 46 prepubertal and early pubertal boys (11-13 years old) training in five differ-
ent sports were randomly selected. These boys were part of a group of the national devel-
opmental system, that consisted of children who were selected by experts from regional
sport academies and had a training background of one year. Training sessions lasted 90 min
and included exercises for the improvement of basic motor skills for 60 min. at moderate
intensity, while the remaining 30 min., were devoted to specific physical conditioning at
moderate to high intensities, 3 times a week. Programmes of similar structure and content
47
Book of Abstracts
are used by coaches for this age group worldwide. Informed consent was obtained from
the children and their parents. Each participant underwent anthropometric measurements
and blood tests, which were followed by the muscular strength tests in two separate days
in random order. Their maturation stage was evaluated according to Tanner’s criteria. Tes-
toterone, GH, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin and leptin concentrations were determined
using radioimmunoassay methods. Jumping performance was estimated using an ergo jump
contact platform. Arm strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer.
Discussion and conclusions

Arm strength, squat and counter movement jump performances (Table 1) as well as lep-
tin were significantly different among the five groups (swimming, running, basketball,
weight lifting and fencing). The basketball players were more explosive in squat jump
than sprinters (p<0.004), and in squat jump and counter movement jump than swimmers
and weight lifters (p<0.001). Additionally, the basketball players were stronger in arm
strength than swimmers (p<0.004). Arm strength of swimmers and basketball players
and the squat and counter movement jumps of basketball players were correlated with
growth and maturation factors. Leptin levels were positively correlated with fat in weight
lifters, sprinters and fencers (r = 0.639 to 0.904, p<0.05 to 0.001). No differences were
observed among the five group of athletes’ groups with regards to Tanner in maturation
scale (p>0.05, F=0.844).
The results of this study showed that there are substantial differences in muscular
performance and in leptin levels between children of the same age engaged in different
competitive sports. The differences observed in muscular strength among the five groups
of athletes were mainly attributed to respective differences in the mode of physical ex-
ercise involved. Although leptin could give important information, as it is known that it
constitutes the message by which the body informs the hypothalamus to start the complex
pubertal events, the significant positive correlation among leptin levels and the amount of
fat of sprinters, weight lifters and fencers show that the training regimens and the nature
of the sports may lead to different energy balance.
Table 1. Hand grip strength and jumping performance characteristics of the five groups (M±SD)
Hand grip strength Squat jump Counter jump

Groups
(Kg)* (cm) (cm)
Sprinters (n=11) 24.7±7.1 25.9±5.1 27.3±4.2
Basketball (n=9) 33.1±7.3 26.7±5.1 28.5±4.2
Swimming (n=11) 24.1±5.3 20.1±2.2 22.8±1.90
Weight lifting (n=8) 26.6±9.1 19.0±3.5 21.0±2.5
Fencing (n=7) 28.4±8.4 20.3±3.6 23.4±6.34
48
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References
1. Baxter – Jones ADG, Helms P. Effects of training at a young age: A review of the
training of young athletes (TOYA) study. Ped Exer Sci 1996; 8: 310-327.
2. Tsolakis C, Vagenas G, Dessypris A. Growth and anabolic hormones, leptin and
neuromuscular performance in moderately trained prepubescent athletes and un-
trained boys. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17, 40-46
3. Mero A, Jaakola L, Komi PV Serum hormones and physical performance capacity
in young boys athletes during a 1 year training period. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup
Physiol 1990; 60:32-37.
49
Functional leg asymmetries in greek
elite male fencers
CHARILAOS TSOLAKIS, IOANNIS POULIS
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science
Technological Educational Institute of Lamia
University of Athens (Greece)
Correspondence to:
tsolakis@phed.uoa.gr
Keywords:
Muscle, Imbalances, Males, Fencing
The legs in fencing are usually used asymmetrically and the resulting motor pattern as-
sociates to the generation of the muscular forces which allow a more effective transfer to
the weapon. Although the majority of fencing trainers empirically consider that the front
leg movement is the most important part of an optimal lunge execution, several research
papers agree that the rear leg is the main contributor in developing speed and power. The
aim of this study was to examine the relationship between leg preference and muscular
strength in Greek elite male fencers.
Material and method

The dominant and non-dominant extensor and flexor muscles of 15 fencers (age 18.53 ± 2.1
years, height 172.35 ± 7.2 cm, weight 63 ± 8.8 kg) all members of the national Greek team
and 8 healthy adolescents (8 males, age 22.48 ± 1.6 years, height 172.63 ± 9.9 cm, weight
68.28 ± 9.2 kg) were tested for concentric isokinetic contraction in slow (30o- 60o/sec) and
fast (240o/sec) angular velocities. The dependent variables included peak torque (N.m)
and angle to peak torque and the flexors/extensors ratio of peak torque.
Discussion and conclusion

No significant differences were observed between the two groups for concentric extension
and flexion peak torque, angle to peak torque and the flexors/extensors ratio of peak torque,
at 30o/sec, 60o/sec, 240o/sec respectively. Also, no significant differences were found be-
tween the dominant and the non dominant leg for both the fencers and the control group in
any of the dependent variable when paired t-tests and Bonferroni contractions were used.
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Although the muscular knee function was expected to be different between the two
groups (fencers - control) and between the dominant and the non dominant leg in elite
male fencers, this was not confirmed. The results of the present study conflict with those
of previous studies, showing that fencers develop similar torques with both the dominant
and the non dominant leg. This results in lack of leg asymmetry. The findings suggest that
the functional status of the lower limbs of the fencers has to be taken into consideration
in evaluating and monitoring the progress of strength, conditioning and the rehabilitation
process after injury.
References
1. Markou, S., & Vagenas, G. Multivariate isokinetic asymmetry of the knee and
shoulder in elite volleyball players. Europ. J. Sport Sci. 2006; 6 (1): 71-80.
2. Mc Curdy, K., & Langford G. Comparison of unilateral squat strength between the
dominant and non – dominant leg in men and women. J. Sports Sci. Med. 2005;
4: 153-159.
3. Tsolakis, C., Bogdanis, G.C, & Vagenas, G. Anthropometric profile amd limb asym-
metries in young male and female fencers. J. Hum. Mov. Stud. 2006; 50: 201-216.
51
The trajectory of fencing in the socio-
cultural brazilian context
1
ANA MARIA FONTOURA, 2VÁLBER LÁZARO NAZARETH
1
Profª. de Esgrima da Escola de Educação Física e Desportos
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro (Brasil)
2
Técnico de esgrima na Academia da Força Aérea – AFA
Doutorando da Faculdade de Educação Física da Universidade Estadual de Campinas
–Unicamp
Correspondence to:
anafontouraa@gmail.com
Keywords:
Fencing, History, Physical Education, Sport
Understanding that the historical construction of a country occurs through the compre-
hension and interaction of its several segments, besides the developed sporting practices,
taking in consideration the socio-cultural structure of a period of time, this research had as
objective to understand, through the study of the difficulties and socio-cultural influences
suffered by the fencing, its trajectory and its development, as well as, to nourish data
for a possible construction of the history of the National Fencing. The central purpose
was to identify the reasons why fencing, that is a sport that so early arrived in Brazilian
lands, has delayed so much time to consolidate and to survive as sport. The hypothesis
is that the fencing, for having been for a long time only confined to the establishments
of military teaching, having been faced with educational ends, and of combat, have not
found space for its understanding as sport. And, another supposition would be that the
lack of qualified and up-to-date masters’ of weapons didn’t allow the transmission of the
up-to-date technical and tactical knowledge and of quality, adequate to the teaching of the
Fencing. Rio de Janeiro was chosen due to its importance in the national scenery of the
epoch, since it was the government’s headquarters and main port of entrance of the Coun-
try. The present study is about a historical research, where several sources were used as:
photographic memories, clippings, personal communication, interviews, several authors,
files of institutions and entities.
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The investigation was made through the research of the course, practice and introduc-
tion of Fencing in Brazil in different areas, creating a data base about sport and educa-
tional fencing. Later, interviews were made with managers, athletes, technicians and arm
masters that entered fencing in different decades, to whom was submitted a questionnaire
with 10 questions. With permission of the interviewed, the answers were taped and the
content was transcribed. With the gathered data base and the answers, an analysis and
discussion of each question, according to the questions that guided this research, a real
critical revision of the course taken by fencing was made. Although in some questions
we could verify very similar experiences, not always the answers shared the same opin-
ion, sometimes very divergent. We could conclude that fencing had its highs and lows,
and although difficulties persisted in all phases, other factors superseded it and gave airs
of development that for several moments was thought to be consolidated. The problem
related to the material for its practice proved to be the main point for the difficulty of de-
velopment. Another question is related directly with the fencing teaching, that depending
on competent and prepared masters, many times this factor was a great difficulty, because
what we observed was that when we had foreign renamed teachers in Brazil, Brazilian
graduated masters or even renamed old athletes, fencing would rise and progress. But on
the opposite side, fencing would loose its glamour and few continued its practice. So, the
presence of qualified masters favors the stability and development of fencing practice.
The permanent lack of promotion, in all areas, has been a constant matter for fencing
in all times, this enterprise being always difficult. But it is necessary a tireless search
for resources from all sources presented and that can bring investments to fencing. It is
only with patronage and joint ventures that we will be able to obtain the necessary and
expected development. While working in this project it could be observed that there are
innumerous difficulties just for the simple maintenance of the organized practice of the
activity in the country, so it becomes unnecessary all and any requirement for not making
possible its growth.
UNITERMOS: fencing, history of the physical education; history of the sport; history of
Rio de Janeiro
References
Castellani Filho, Lino. Educação Física no Brasil: a história que não se conta. 4ª ed.
Campinas, São Paulo: Papirus, 1994.
Marinho, Inezil Penna. História da Educação Física no Brasil. 2ed. São Paulo: Bras-
il ed., 1980.
Marinho, Inezil Penna. Papel da Educação Física na preparação Militar. Rio de
Janeiro: Ministério da Educação e Saúde, serviço de documentação, 1945.
SOARES, Carmen. Educação Física, Raízes Européias e Brasil. Campinas, São
Paulo: Ed. Autores Associados, 1994.
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Fencing as a preventive means

for delinquency
1
OSCAR SERNA, 1MAURICIO RIVAS, 1,2JUAN MIGUEL PAZ
1
Liga de Esgrima del Valle del Cauca. Federación Colombiana de Esgrima, Colombia
2
Confederación Iberoamericana de Esgrima (Colombia)
Correspondence to:
Fedcoles@hotmail.com.
Keywords:
Violence, Fencing, Prevention, Delinquency
Cali, the capital city of the department of Valle del Cauca in Colombia and the second
biggest city in the country, is experiencing an increase in violence, particularly in the
more disadvantaged areas. The consequence of this trend is that a large number of young
people, including children are not only becoming the victims of this violence but are also
being drawn into committing offences.
From 2004, Valle del Cauca Fencing League began to introduce fencing into the neigh-
bourhood of Marroquin in the district of Agua Blanca in Cali, one of the areas with high-
est incidences of violence in the city. Through fencing, over 100 children have changed
their behaviour, disciplining themselves and abandoning antisocial conduct.
Like many other cities in Colombia Cali, with approximately 3’700.000 inhabitants,
is experiencing indiscriminate urbanization because of immigration from local rural ar-
eas. The causes are twofold and although they can occur independently they are often
interrelated. One is violence, due to the lack of government control in placer far removed
from urban centres, and the other is poverty and lack of opportunities for the majority of
Colombians in low income brackets. This scenario is much more marked in the Colom-
bian countryside than elsewhere.
The introduction of fencing into Marroquin was made possible thanks to help from
“Paz y Bien” an organization committed to recovering the poor neighbourhoods of Cali,
by providing opportunities for a different life as well as reinstating marginalised young
people and children. Fencing was introduced alongside other sports such as tennis, foot-
ball and basketball but was the only sport that has been continuous and has achieved
changes in the behaviour of the participants.
54
Fencing as a subject of study within
the framework of the real seminario
de nobles de madrid
1
MIRIAM CARRETERO, 2FRANCISCO SAUCEDO
1
Licenciada en CC. de la Actividad Física y el Deporte. DEA,
Doctorada Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. INEF (España)
2
Prof. Dr. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. INEF (España)
Correspondence to:
miriamcarretero@gmail.com
Keywords:
Seminario de Nobles, Formal, Education, Skill, Small-sword.
The present research was conducted with the aim of covering the absence of works con-
cerning the study of Fencing in the context of formal educational institutions, that is,
within institutionalized educational establishments. We started from the Real Seminario
de Nobles de Madrid (Royal Seminary of the Nobility of Madrid) for, as it has been
proved after thorough bibliographical review, this was the first state educational centre
– although elitist, as admission was open only to the Nobility – in which Fencing instruc-
tion was taught as a subject of study.
This work arises from the existence of two documents, the examinations carried out
at the Seminario de Nobles in 1804 under the name of Certámenes Públicos (Public Con-
tests) in which Fencing appears as a subject of examination, and the Fencing Manual by
Manuel de Brea published in 1805 which, in the author s own words, was written for the
instruction of the Noblemen of the Real Seminario de Nobles .
These two documents are the source from which the guiding hypothesis of our re-
search work was drawn. The said hypothesis is the following:
– In the Real Seminario de Nobles de Madrid the formal and compulsory instruction
of Fencing is integrated as one of the subjects in the curriculum for the education of
the young Spanish Nobility.
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Materials and methods

This study was developed following the historic graphical method, that concerned with
the research and the writing of history. Its main features are the type of documents used
and the temporality as the nature of history.
An extensive bibliographical review was carried out in order to obtain all the docu-
ments relating to the Real Seminario de Nobles de Madrid. This review was conducted
at the Spanish National Library, the library of the Palacio Real, the Archivo Histórico
Nacional (National Historical Archive) and the Opac databases of the main libraries.

Fencing as a subject of study within the framework of formal education in Spain started
in1725 with the birth of the Real Seminario de Nobles de Madrid, founded under the aus-
pices of Felipe V and inspired by the Seminary of the Nobility of Paris.
It was within this Real Seminario where the contents of a subject that would live on
for over a hundred years were developed. Taught by Fencing Masters (see Table 1) and
considered as a necessary ‘skill’ in the education of the young Spanish nobility, it became
compulsory for all students.
Throughout its existence the essentials of the three most relevant schools, the Spanish,
the French and the Italian would be taught in the ‘Destreza de las Armas’ (arms skills)
course, turning the Institution into a place where Fencing would be preserved as a main
subject in the comprehensive education of the Spanish noblemen at the same time that
new Fencing elements and new arms imported from France, the foil and the small-sword,
were being gradually introduced.
The teaching of Fencing at the Seminario de Nobles would have a great impact on
the academic relevance of the subject, getting to have its own text book and exerting a
great influence on later public instruction curricula like that by Gaspar Melchor de Jovel-
lanos, as well as on the creation of Fencing Departments in State Institutions. In that way,
teachers in charge of its instruction had specific qualifications that entitled them to be in
teaching, thus professionalizing the figure of Fencing Master.
References
Brea, M. A. d. (1805) Principios universales y reglas generales de la verdadera dest-
reza del espadín, según la doctrina mixta francesa, italiana y española / dispuestos
para instrucción de los caballeros seminaristas del Real Seminario de Nobles de
esta Corte por su maestro Manuel Antonio de brea, Maestro Mayor y Examinador
de todos los del Reyno. Madrid: Imprenta Real.
Felipe V (1730) Constituciones del Real Seminario de Nobles fundado en el Colegio
Imperial de la Compañía de Jesús de Madrid por el Señor Don Phelipe Quinto,
Catholico Rey de las Españas en Decreto de 21 de Septiembre de 1725. Madrid:
Imprenta de Gabriel del Barrio.
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Table 1. Fencing Masters at the Real Seminario de Nobles de Madrid.
Fencing Masters of the Real Period they were in practice. Constitutions and Curricula in
Seminario de Nobles de Madrid. force or created during their
stay at the Real Seminario de
Nobles de Madrid.
D. Pedro Álvarez. Prior to 1782. Constitutions of 1750.
D. Manuel Antonio de Brea. 1782 - ¿1806/1810? Constitutions of 1750. Plan de
Estudios y Habilidades of 1785
(Programme of Studies and
Skills). Constitutions of 1799.
D. Manuel Castellanos. Substitute in 1808 and 1820. Constitutions of 1799.
D. Juan de Zea. 1827 - ¿? Constitutions of 1799 and
Reglamento Interino (Interim
Regulations) of 1826.
D. Manuel Castellanos. 1839 the name ‘Real Seminario Real Decreto de 11 de diciembre
de Nobles’ had already changed de 1839 (Order in Council 11th
to ‘Seminario Cristino’. december 1839).
57
Method for teaching fencing
1
JORGE LUÍS CHIQUET, 2JUAN PINTO
1
Licenciado Educación Física, Club de Esgrima de Azuqueca de Henares (España)
2
Licenciado Educación Física, Federación Colombiana de Esgrima, Bogotá (Colombia)
Correspondence to:
chiquetjl@hotmail.com
Keywords:
Fencing, Method, Teaching
In order to teach the different skills in fencing, it is essential to determine when, how and
what will be taught. For this reason a method is required.
During 2005 and 2006 a Method of Teaching Fencing was implemented in three fenc-
ing clubs in Spain, “Club de Esgrima de Azuqueca” and “Club de Esgrima de Guadala-
jara” located in the province of Guadalajara, and “Club Cardenal Cisneros” in Madrid.
The method was structured from the direct experience of teaching and in the presence of
high level international competition in the fencing teams of Colombia and Cuba through-
out 20 years.
The method responds to the need to teach specific actions according to the age and/or
the time of practise of the fencers. This teaching method means that in all and each one
of the situations found in fencing, including competitions, only the actions that the fencer
is learning are used. Other technical elements different to those already obtained and
established will never be applied.
58
Most frequent injuries during duels:
the role of the physician during a duel
ALBERTO CERRADA
Médico colaborador de la Real Federación Española de Esgrima
Presidente del Club Internacional de Esgrima “Andaluzía”
en Estepona Málaga (España)
Correspondence to:
alatriste28@yahoo.es
Keywords:
Duel, Injuries, Sword, Physician, Surgeon
Introduction
For many years, duels have been practised in different parts in the world. Authorities
turned a blind eye while society accepted duels as part of life, although it was forbidden
and punishable by law.
The main Treaties and Codes of Honour establish the rules and laws that govern duels
in which the presence of a doctor or surgeon is mandatory. His/Her presence is essential
and irreplaceable as he/she determines the end or continuity of the duel as well as the
immediate care of the injured.
The representatives (seconds) in the dual provided important information about the
injuries and wounds produced during the encounter. The surgeon included interesting
medical reports and in-depth information about the injury, where the most frequent
incidences are mentioned.
Material and Method

A number of particularly old sources have been consulted, including Duelling Rules,
Codes of Honour, and Fencing Treaty for the various weapons and publications in a
number of languages, especially in Spanish. A number of specific, on-line search engines
were also consulted using the key words in the main languages. Likewise, specialized
magazines and local newspaper articles of the time were consulted, as well as the main
libraries and articles by renowned specialists.
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Book of Abstracts
Of the sources consulted, all possible information about the role of the doctor or
surgeon in duelling as been extracted as well as information about the injuries found,
treatments applied, and even deaths and descriptions of the events.

More than one hundred references have been collected from the various sources consulted.
These articles mentioned the tasks and rules of the surgeon at duels. Written testimonies
of the various historic, royal duels have been obtained describing the injuries, including
the slight, serious, and even lethal wounds. Several physicians described the injuries and
referred to the medical care given by the doctor within his line of duty. This information
allows us to conclude the real tasks of the practitioners, as well as the most frequent
injuries caused by swords, obviously different for what is seen currently. The history of
fencing is a complex heritage of knowledge that we must not forget, as it constitutes the
roots and history of what we know today as fencing.
References
1. Cabriñana, “Lances entre Caballeros”, Madrid 1900.
2. Eusebio Yñiguez, “Ofensas y Desafíos”, Madrid 1890.
3. A. Murciano, “Prontuario del Duelo”, Madrid 1902.
Illustrations
Figure 1. Duel at the onset of the 20th century
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Figure 2. Old post card with a picture of a duel with a physician on hand in France
at the end of the 19th century.
61
Static structural research study
on fencers sponsored by the
“Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid”
JUAN JOSÉ RAMOS; Mª JESÚS DEL CASTILLO; Mª LUISA RAMÓN;
JOSÉ LUIS SEGURA; ASUNCIÓN BOSCH.
Centro de Medicina Deportiva de la Comunidad de Madrid (España)
Correspondence to:
jjramosa@med.ucm.es;
Keywords:
Scoliosis, Fencing, Footprint
1. Introduction
The object of this research is to describe the incidence of structural alterations in fencers
sponsored by CAM and their possible relation with the practice of asymmetric sports such
as fencing.
Materials and Methodology

The static structural research, conducted by two medical doctors, included front-back and
lateral inspection of trunk and limbs, as well as podoscope.
We examined all fencers 2006 sponsored by the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid.
The total number was 26 fencers (20 male: 6 épée, 7 foil, 7 sabre; 6 female: 1 épée, 1 foil,
4 sabre). The average age was 17.3 ± 1.38 year (male) and 19.8 ± 2.58 year (female). The
average height was 174.4 ± 0.66 cm. (male) and 162 ± 0.065 cm. (female). The average
weight was 74.2 ± 11.58 Kg. (male) and 55.28 ± 3.87 Kg. (female).
We benchmarked the percentages of alterations to our population.
Results
All the fencers showed a structural alteration and/or posture, as it is detailed below: (the
percentages are benchmarked to the global population) (Table 2)
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Feet
We find footprint alterations in 14 fencers (53,87%): two with flat feet grade I (14,28%),
three with flat feet grade II (21,43%), three with pre curved feet (21,43%), one with
curved feet grade I (7,14%) and five with curved feet grade II (35,71).
Lower limbs
Knee: We find axis alterations in six fencers (23,07%): three genu valgo (50%), two genu
varo (33,33%) and one genu recurvatum (16,6%).
Dismetry: six fencers showed dismetry (23,07%): in three cases LLL was predomi-
nant (50%) while in the other three RLL was predominant (50%).
Backbone
Ten fencers presented static mechanical alterations in the front-back view of their back-
bones with the following distribution: three cases of dextroconvex dorsal scoliosis (30%),
two dorsal dextroconcave scoliosis (20%), two double curve scoliosis (20%), two hyper-
lordosis (20%) and one case of hypercifosis-hyperlordosis (10%).
We do not find relevant differences (p> 0,05) between the three fencing modalities.
The incidence of structural alterations was higher in women than in men, with no signifi-
cant differences (p> 0,05).

The detailed analysis of the structure of the muscular-skeleton apparatus reveals altera-
tions that were not detected in routine inspections because complementary tests were
required. On numerous occasions, the sportsman’s lack of progress and a higher inci-
dence of injuries are linked to structural or postural alterations that were not adequately
corrected.
Classic literature relates a higher incidence of scoliosis to asymmetric sports prac-
titioners, although not for fencing (Azemar, 1979). The percentage of scoliosis in the
sample researched here was 38.46%. This figure is higher than our previous findings (Del
Castillo Campos, Ramos Álvarez, Antelo Suárez, & Lara Hernández, 1997), although still
lower than results obtained for other asymmetric sports such as tennis (Ramos Álvarez,
López-Silvarrey, Segovia Martínez, Miguel Tobal, & Sicilia Sicilia, 2000). The break
down of the deviations into its different types was similar to that of the dominant arm,
therefore its larger incidence would not be related to the laterality of this sport. Conse-
quently, fencing, even in competitive level, may not increase the risk of scoliosis.
On the other hand, we have noted a larger incidence of structural alterations in women
(66,6%) rather than in men (30%). This is consistent with our previous research on this
matter (Del Castillo Campos et al., 1997). The small size of the female sample represents
a caveat to this last conclusion.
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Our research uncovers structural alterations in 100% of the studied sample, which is a
similar result to that obtained for other sports. This large figure does signal the need for an
in-depth research of correctable alterations that influence both performance and injuries
in order to start their early treatment.
References
Azemar, G. (1979). Incidences de la pratique dún sport asymétrique sur la croissance
squelettique. Medicine du Sport, 53, 199-203.
Del Castillo Campos, M. J., Ramos Álvarez, J. J., Antelo Suárez, O., & Lara Hernández,
M. T. (1997). Prevalencia de escoliosis en deportistas madrileños de élite. Archivos de
Medicina del Deporte, 14(58), 119-125.
Ramos Álvarez, J. J., López-Silvarrey, F. J., Segovia Martínez, J. C., Miguel Tobal, F.
J., & Sicilia Sicilia, A. (2000). Estudio estructural estático de un grupo de tenistas de
élite. Madrid: II Congreso de FEMADEFIDE. Selección 9 (2): 80-118, 2000.
Table 1: Sample distribution
Male (n: 20) Female (n:6)

Épée 6 1
Foil 7 1
Sabre 7 4
Table 2: Structural alterations
Male (n:20) Female (n:6)

Back axis deviation (n:10) 6 4
Lower limbs axis deviation (n:6) 5 1
Lower limbs dismetry (n:6) 5 1
Footprint alterations (n:14) 11 3
64
Psychomotor reactions and expert
opinions as factors of talent
identification in fencing
ZBIGNIEW BORYSIUK
Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy,
Opole University of Technology,
Opole (Poland)
Correspondence to:
z.borysiuk@po.opole.pl
Keywords:
Talent, Fencing, Anticipation, Reactions, Expert, Studies
Introduction
The problem of talent identification in fencing can be analyzed using the existing theoreti-
cal models of sport selection and talent development. Complex studies of fencers carried
out by numerous authors (Czajkowski 2005). Physiological parameters measured with
VO2 max are not significant factors discriminating between the champions and aver-
age-level fencers. Some significance can be attributed to predispositions in the area of
anaerobic metabolism, especially the phosphagen system in legs, measured with the Win-
gate test. However, the main area of prediction of high sports results and fencing talent
consists of a complex of psycho-motor conditions such as speed, accuracy and durability
of acquisition of motor habits and their variability in sport ontogenesis.
The research was based on extensive studies of fencers at the introductory and spe-
cialist training stages. The conclusions were supported with experts’ observations of the
combat technique of advanced fencers at the championship level. The impact of formerly
emphasized somatic and psycho-physiological factors on the level of sport mastery in
fencing was sidelined in favour of psycho-motor factors. The latter, especially choice
reaction time and spatial anticipation are considered to be the major predictors of talent
in fencing. The application of the novice-expert paradigm allowed assessment of devel-
opments of these traits as well as correlations between the information processing speed
and the motor phase of sensorimotor responses. A significant reduction of decision-mak-
ing time in complex motor tasks was observed in expert fencers. Following opinions of
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the leading fencing coaches, reaction time should be treated as a significant factor of
effectiveness of learning complex motor habits and their successful implementation in
fencing.
Material and methods

1. The study was conducted on a sample of 22 novice and 16 advanced fencers repre-
senting three fencing weapons: epee, sabre and foil. Adopting a perceptual-cognitive
approach the research procedures were selected to reflect two different types of reac-
tion: choice reaction and spatial anticipation (Fig. 1a, 1b,). The study made a system
of testing of psycho-motor reactions with the use of EMG for differentiation between
the latency phase (RT) and movement time (MT).
2. In the choice reaction test the subjects were to react using the right or the left hand,
respectively, depending, on the emitted colour signals (45).
3. In the anticipation test the element of spatial anticipation was introduced. In order to re-
duce the time anticipation the emission of signals (45) was of a random character. The
person tested could watch a curve of the EMG signal on the upper part of the computer
screen during the test. Graphic representation of the curve running to the rectangles in
the colour of the emission of the light signals provided complete advance information
on the stimuli that were to appear. The parameters RT, MT, were registered.
4. The analysis and conclusions were completed with recordings of technique parameters
during world championship duels of both senior and junior fencers and with opinions
of leading fencing coaches in Poland. It was revealed that the desired technical profiles
of medalists promoted fencers with higher than average technical indices in offensive,
offensive-defensive and defensive actions.
Discusion and conclusions

It has been assumed that talent in fencing is the ability to effectively acquire motor pat-
terns understood as motor programs (Borysiuk 2006). The second criterion of fencing
talent is effective execution of motor programs in sport combat understood as a correla-
tion between the fencers’ technical-tactical profile and their sport results. The following
conclusions concerning talent identification in fencing (on the basis of the analysis of
novice and advanced fencers):
1. The study proved the significance of choice reaction time in responses to visual stimuli,
and the results showed the superiority (lower values of studied parameters) of advanced
fencers over novice fencers. Also, the measurement of the speed of information proc-
esses (RT) and their relation to movement time (MT) showed that elite fencers reduced
their time of sensorimotor responses mostly in the choice response stage, i.e. they per-
ceive and make decisions much faster than novice fencers. It is a permanent process of
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reduction of the latency phase in RT in the course of attainment of sport championship

and it points to the influence of specialist training on the effectiveness of perceptual
processes in advanced fencers.
2. The effectiveness of reactions to spatial anticipation signals was significantly higher in
advanced fencers. It can be concluded that advanced fencers process the signals very
early and react to the initial signals at a proper time. Too fast reactions were recorded
as incorrect.
3. Statistical analysis and the coaching experience reveal a correlation between the quan-
tity of actions (technical patterns) and the fencer’s ranking place at top-level competi-
tions. The champions, thanks to optimal stimulation, can effectively use the technical
elements at their disposal, even in conditions of intensive mental stress. It is one of the
main discriminating factors between advanced and novice fencers.
References
Borysiuk Z., (2006) Complex evaluation of fencers predisposition in three stages of sport
development. Biology of Sport,vol.23,No1,p.41-53.
Czajkowski Z.,(2005) Understanding Fencing: the Unity and Practice. Staten Island, NY.
SKA Swordplay Books.
Illustrations
Fig. 1a. Reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT) in choice reaction test
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Fig. 1b. Reaction time RT and movement time MT in spatial anticipation reaction test
68
Methods of training in fencing
1
DAVID TYSHLER, 2GENNADY TYSHLER
1
Professor Russian State Univercity of Phisical Education
2
President of South African Amateur Fencing Association
Correspondence to:
tyshler@global.co.za
Keywords:
Training, Program, Reports, Opponents
This program has been developed using my experience of working as a member of the
scientific group responsible for supporting the preparation of the National Soviet fenc-
ing team. I started this work in 1979 in preparation for the Moscow Olympics and was a
member of this group until 1983, when I officially became a coach of the national team.
I coached this team from 1981 to 1992. The team won 6 world championships, achieved
a gold medal at the 1984 alternative Olympic Games, the ‘disastrous’ silver medal at the
Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988 and the gold medal in Barcelona Olympic games in
1992. This scientific group consisted of 5 -7 people. Computers at that time were the size
of a room and I am very happy that, with the help of new technology, I present to you the
program that can substitute the work of many people. This program is based on a system
of self assessment. The Virtual Trainer will help you plan your training and help you
control the completion of your training plan. With the training planner, you can plan your
training in detail, adding to your fencing training plan, competitions, fitness training and
also other sports. You will be able to control your training with the training log. Training
chart will help you to correlate your training and competition success with different types
of activity. By adding the training log to “tactical characteristics” of the bouts, you will
be able to understand your fencing better. It will improve your tactical knowledge and
fighting strategy and will help you understand your opponents. There is also the option of
sending your reports to your coach and to test your progress with the test option.
• TRAINING PLANNER
• TRAINING LOG
• TRAINING CHARTS
• REPORTS
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Book of Abstracts
• JOURNAL
• OPPONENTS
• TESTS
• FAQ
Illustrations
70
Tyshler training device
1
DAVID TYSHLER, 2GENNADY TYSHLER
1
Professor Russian State Univercity of Phisical Education.
2
President of South African Amateur Fencing Association
Correspondence to:
tyshler@global.co.za
Keywords:
Training, Device, Reactions, Signal
Tyshler training device

General fitness is only the first step in getting in shape for a good level of fencing fitness,
so do not waste your time going to the gym! Specialists in all kinds of sports long ago
realized that sport specific training and fitness development is the most efficient way for
athletes to train, for example, in soccer, no player should ever run without a soccer ball!
The importance of motor reaction training has been scientifically proved in astronauts,
pilots and other skills based professions as well as in the preparation of high performance
athletes in all kinds of sport. Dr David Tyshler started his research in fencing development
in the 1960’s and his son, Dr Gennady Tyshler, has continued this work during the past
few decades.
The Tyshler Training Device (TTD) has eight different training programs – which
could be used to generate infinity of fencing exercises in addition to the ones listed in
this instruction manual (more to come). The device is programmed to generate differ-
ent sounds and signals to train simple motor reactions, choice reactions (choice between
two possible actions), switching reactions (switching from a chosen action to a different
one), anticipation of distance, footwork and much more besides!! These specially created
exercises were approved by Russian State University of physical education and science
supporting group of the Russian National Fencing Team.
Everyone knows that to achieve good results in sport, or indeed in any endeavor, re-
quires commitment and a regular schedule and training a few times a day and five days
per week. The difficulty is how to combine this training time with your work and personal
life – a problem now made much easier with the TTD – which simulates fencing bouts,
individual lessons with your coach and help you with the footwork training. Repetition
and focused isolated training of the most frequent and effective actions and movements
used during a fencing bout or lesson, creates new possibilities for fencers to improve not
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Book of Abstracts
only their technical proficiency, but also their speed, accuracy with the point, reactions
and decision making times that one has to solve during a bout.
The TTD bout simulator was created in order to help fencers of all levels in their
training and development of fencing techniques and fitness. This small, portable training
device, simply attached to your wrist, can be used anywhere – the fencing hall, your gym
and even on the beach! In addition to honing your fencing fitness, it will aid towards your
general fitness regime, especially those times when work and family life compound, it is
impossible to steal even a few hours to fence.
Illustrations
Fig. 1
1. Switch on the device. “On – Off” switch is on the right side of the device.
2. Device will automatically be ready for the first mode. Number one light
will blink.
3. Using the “Program” button you can choose desired training mode.
4. When you are ready for the training, push “start” button. Device will
“ring” indicating that you should take up initial position, second “ring”
– the end of the exercise.
5. Before the first training get familiar with the device signals. Switch on the
device, choose the program number “eight” and listen to the signals: “high
tone signal”, “low tone signal”, “double signal”.
6. If the device is not operating correctly you may need to change the battery.
Use a small screwdriver to unscrew three screws, open the top cover and
change the battery.
Fig. 2: Practice the exercises with the weapon and with the target or just imitating
the movements of the weapon.
72
Variation of épée, foil and sabre fencers
heart rate reserve in competition
EDUARDO SERPA DE CARVALHO1,2; SÉRGIO BASTOS1
1
Gama Filho University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2
Brazilian Army Physical Education School, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Correspondence to:
eduardoserpa@gmail.com
Keywords:
Fencing, Workload, Intensity, Heart rate, Heart rate reserve
Introduction
The aim of this study was to compare the variation of heart rate reserve (HRR) used
among épée, foil and sabre fencers from male genre, from 18 up to 40 years old, with
high level athletes during matches in competition classification phase. By analysing
specialized literature in fencing sports training, it was verified that there is such a pre-
occupation in work charges control using the heart rate, though there is no difference
in prescription of work charges intensity among the three weapons using the HRR.
Method: The sample was composed by 16 athletes separated in those three weapons,
selected at random in the clubs with best national representatives. All trained more
than three times per week per five years. The athletes were monitored without interrup-
tion during successive matches of the Brazilian national championship and it was only
considered for data analysis, the matches with a minimum interval of 5 minutes and
maximum of 15 minutes.

After the descriptive statistics, the results were individually formatted in each group (épée,
foil, sabre) in top and medium percentual values using HRR. The results of ANOVA have
shown that, although percentual there is not a significant difference (p>0,05) in top values
of HRR among the groups, although the épée had presented trend to be situated below of
the other groups. In case the medium values of HRR between sabre and épée fencers have
shown significant difference (p=0,014) in one-way analysis of variance and a post hoc
test. The results suggest with 95% confidence, that the HRR, during matches in competi-
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Book of Abstracts
tion classification phase are, in top and medium, respectively of 77,9 ± 6,0 % and 86,1
± 5,1% (épée), 87,4 ± 4,6 % and 92,1 ± 5,6% (sabre) and 85,6 ± 3,9 % e 92,0 ± 4,5%
(foil). [Table, 1].
Table 1. Descriptive statistics - medium and top percentual values using HRR in competition (%).
Foil Épée Sabre

medium top medium top medium top
Mean 85,6 92,0 77,9 86,1 87,4 92,1
Std.Err 1,409113 1,637559 2,4434 2,094632 1,442509 1,759972
Median 85,9 92,8 80,6 86,5 86,45 90,95
Std.Dev 3,150873 3,661694 6,464629 5,541875 2,885019 3,519943
Variance 9,928 13,408 41,79143 30,71238 8,323333 12,39
Kurtosis 2,151088 1,426144 -1,33958 -1,36648 0,270053 2,309417
Asymmetry -1,32664 -1,19721 -0,65336 -0,46278 1,160373 1,517377
Range 8,2 9,4 16,5 13,7 6,1 7,9
Minimum 80,5 86,2 68,6 78,3 85,2 89,2
Maximum 88,7 95,6 85,1 92 91,3 97,1
Sum 428,2 460,2 545,4 602,9 349,4 368,2
N 5 5 7 7 4 4
Confidence
(95,0%) 3,91233 4,54660 5,97879 5,12538 4,59071 5,60102
74
Influence of the methacrylate helmet
against the traditional helmet
in fencing
1
MANUEL SILLERO, 1FRANCISCO SAUCEDO, 1ENRIQUE LÓPEZ,
2
OSCAR MARTÍNEZ DE QUEL
1Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
2Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Madrid, (España)
Correspondence to:
manuel.sillero@upm.es
Keywords:
Fencing, Helmet, Traditional, Methacrylate, Decisions
Introduction
The use of methacrylate helmets is progressively being introduced in international fenc-
ing. Some fencers point out that the methacrylate helmets have a negative influence on
their performance. Our work tries to establish if there are significant differences between
the traditional and methacrylate helmets by using the fencer’s anticipation on the decision
making as performance indicator.
Material and method

The simple included 17 fencer of the Spanish national team, with an averaged age of 25,54
years (SD = 4,77 years), an experience in the national team of 7 years (SD = 4,95 years), and
an accumulated training in fencing of 9600 hours (SD = 4487 hours). In order to control the
visual status of the subjects, Simple Visual Reaction Time (SVRT) and, Static Visual Acuity
(VA), by the Bringing Nearer Test (BNT), were measured (Sillero, 2007).
The data collection protocol was similar the used by Ripoll (1995) for analysing
the information processing, the decision making, and the visual strategies in a group of
French boxers, and it was developed using the program “SuperLab 2.0” (Cedrus, San
Pedro, CA, USA). The fencers stood in front of a 3 x 2 m screen, on which randomized
real-sized videos of an attacker were projected. From the same “on guard” initial position
the attacker played simple actions (see figures 1a, 1b, 1c y 1d).
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Book of Abstracts
The moment of the fencer action (“M.Ac”) was recorded from the initiation of the at-
tacking action to the 4 different directions, under three different helmet conditions (with-
out helmet, with traditional and with methacrylate helmet). Each fencer performed 36
randomised trials (3 trials x 4 attacking directions x 3 helmet conditions) before complet-
ing the test.
Decision making was recorded by pressing a button corresponding to the direction
towards the projected attacking action was directed. For each trial, it was also registered
if the decision was right or wrong. In order to integrate the moment and the correction of
the decision making moment in a single variable, it was established the perception of the
attacking action coefficient (CPAA) as:
(
CPAA = (3 –Er) 3
1
M.Ac
( 3 100
where “Er” is the number of mistakes and “M.Ac.” is the interval between the beginning
of the attacker action and the button-pressing response of the fencer in milliseconds.
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Book of Abstracts
Results
The visual status of the Spanish fencers were quite good with normal visual acuities (VA
right eye = 0,97; SD = 0,29. VA left eye = 0,89; SD = 0,28. VA Binocular = 1,10; SD =
0,34) and excellent SVRT (192,73 ms; SD = 19,36 ms).
General results (see Table 1) point out that the best results on attack perception where
obtained without helmet (CPAA = 0,64), followed by the methacrylate helmet (CPAA =
0,62) and worst were recorded with traditional helmet (CPAA = 0,54). However, the ANOVA
showed that these differences were non-significant neither for the errors (F2,201= 1,36; p=0,26),
nor for the “M.Ac” (F2,201= 0,436; p=0,65), nor for the CPAA (F2,201= 1,28; p=0,28).
CPAA results analyzed by weapons) and the ANOVA confirmed non-significant dif-
ferences for the CPAA among the three helmet conditions neither for epeeist (F2,81 = 0,71;
p=0,49), nor foilist (F2,45 = 1,38; p=0,26), nor sabreist (F2,69 = 0,63; p=0,54).
Tabla 1. Valores generales de errores, momentos de actuación, y valores generales y por armas de coeficientes
de percepción de la acción de ataque (CPAA) en el protocolo de evaluación de las caretas.
Mistakes Time CPPA

TYPE OF HELMET
(General) (General) General Épée Foil Sabre
Media 0,43 472 0,64 0,50 0,78 0,70
Without Helmet
SD 0,76 167 0,50 0,09 0,28 0,79
Media 0,57 492 0,54 0,49 0,68 0,51
Tradicional
SD 0,89 157 0,33 0,11 0,24 0,50
Media 0,35 470 0,62 0,52 0,84 0,61
Methacrylate
SD 0,73 153 0,32 0,10 0,28 0,43
Media 0,45 478 0,60 0,50 0,76 0,61
TOTAL
SD 0,80 159 0,39 0,10 0,27 0,59

The results of our study conclude that, from a perceptive point of view, that the methacr-
ylate helmet has not negative influence on the fencer performance. However, the fencers
expressed certain misgivings regarding the relationship between the real-life conditions
and the conditions in which the test had been carried out, because they were sitting on a
chair and without performing any physical effort, so that they did not sweat and did not
feel the effects of the condensation or the lack of oxygen due to the reduced ventilation.
That led us to plan a variation on the protocol for future research in order to establish a
more ecological situation, which will induce a certain grade of fatigue while the test is
being carrying out.
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Book of Abstracts
References
RIPOLL, H., KERLIRZIN, Y., STEIN, JF., & REINE, B. . (1995). Analysis of informa-
tion processing, decision making, and visual strategies in complex problem solving
sport situations. . Human Movement Science, 14, 325-349.
SILLERO, M., REFOYO, I., LORENZO, A., & SAMPEDRO, J. (2007). Perceptual vis-
ual skills in young highly skilled basketball players. Perceptual and motor skills, 104,
547-561.
Acknowledgements
This work has been made by virtue of the cooperation contract signed between the “Con-
sejo Superior de Deportes” and the “Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del
Deporte (INEF)” of the “Universidad Politécnica de Madrid”, by an initiative of the “Fed-
eración Española de Esgrima”.
78
Analysis of the rear leg rotation
movement during the fencing lunge
1
1
RAQUEL DE ANTONIO 2OSCAR MARTÍNEZ DE QUEL
1
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
2
Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Madrid. España.
Correspondence to:
enrique.lopez@upm.es
Keywords:
Biomechanics, fencing, lunge, kinematics
Introduction
The most relevant authors of fencing agree on the extension of the rear leg’s knee from
the on guard position, which is the one that provides the real speed to the lunge, and the
extension of the arm only serves to drive the points towards the target.
All the authors coincide that it is important to keep the whole sole of the rear foot
supported on the floor, keeping the same direction and without sliding it during the move-
ment, being the only one support that assures a really fast and balanced lunge, allowing
the return to the on guard position or to continue towards ahead.
Nevertheless, in a competition it may be observed that there are just a few fencers that
keep the position of the feet in 90º angle during the lunge, as proposed in the fencing books.
From this situation, we try to know if the rotation movement of the rear leg improve
the speed of the Mass Centre and the weapon.
Material and method.

To achieve our objective, a kinematics analysis was carried out. The selected sample was
44 lunges chosen at random, realized by the best Spanish epeeists in two competitions.
The technique used was 3D video. Two fixed cameras were focused to the centre of
the fencing court. The distance between them was 12 m.
Previously to filming the matches a 6x2x2m reference system was placed on the court.
Once filmed, it was removed. After that, only lunges made inside were chosen for the
analysis.
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Book of Abstracts
A sample rate of 50 hz was chosen to processing the images, as long as the low speed
of the lunge doesn’t need higher frequencies.
To find the kinematics variables values, it is necessary to know the joints and corporal
segments positions. On this purpose the lunges images were digitized using the Photo
23D program, which was used for the Clauser (1969) mechanical model of the human
body, including 21 points and 2 points added representing the weapon.
The three dimensional coordinates from each one of the 23 points of the model and
the Mass Centre, as well as the segment “foot” positions and the speeds of the Mass Cen-
tre and the weapon reached during the lunge, were obtained by the BIOMEC software
(Navarro, 2000) using the DLT (Direct Linear Transformation) developed by Abdel-Aziz
and Karara (1971).
To know the relationship between rotation movement of the rear leg during the lunge
and the maximum speed of the Mass Centre and the weapon. A “T” test to mean compari-
son on independent samples was carried out.

The results show that 40 lunges did an external rotation and only 4 an inward rotation.
The “T” test indicates that it doesn’t exist significant differences between lunges with
an external or internal rotation, so much for the maximum horizontal speed of the Mass
Centre (t =0,669; p=0,507), as well as the maximum horizontal speed of the weapon
(t =0,624; p= 0,536). In the Fig. 1, the results are graphically represented.
Figure 1: figure shows the maximum speeds of the Mass Centre and the weapon averages, for external and
internal rotation of the rear leg.
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Book of Abstracts
This rotation movement of the rear leg, during the flight phase of the lunge, is not
described by the most relevant texts in fencing. Neither has been studied in the scientific
articles dealing with fencing lunge. Only Simonian (1981) contributes about this, affirm-
ing that in competition the above mentioned foot rarely remains still during the lunge,
not being a problem if a rotation –external or internal- will be done, once the extensors
muscles have done already the maximum strength contribution and while the fencer is
balanced. The results we have showed confirm this opinion.
As a conclusion, we can affirm the rotation of the rear leg doesn’t improve or damage
the reaching of the maximum speed, and in the most of the studied fencers the external
rotation movement is the most common.
References
Clery R. Léscrime aux trois armes. París: Editions Amphora; 1965.
Simonian Ch. Fundamentals of Sports Biomechanics. Englewood Cliffs: Ed. Prentice-
Hall; 1981
81
Leg strength testing in young catalan
fencers
MICHEL MARINA1; JOSEP MARIA PADULLÉS1; ALBERT BUSQUETS1;
DANIEL MORENO1; ROBERT USACH1; ADOLFO BENITEZ1, MARTA CARRASCO2;
ALFRED IRURTIA1; RAFAEL TARRAGÓ3; LISÍMACO VALLEJO1; XAVIER IGLESIAS1
1
Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya –INEFC- (Universitat de Barcelona)
2
Diplomada en Nutrició
3
Federació Catalana d’Esgrima
Correspondence to:
mmarina@gencat.net
Keywords:
Maximal, Isometric, Dynamic, Explosive, Strength, Testing
Introduction
To improve specific technique execution in many competitive sports, strength performance
is a key factor. Because of that, physical training uses an important fraction of the training
sessions to improve the most appropriate types of strength. Fencing is not an exception.
The aim of the study is to characterize the strength pattern of fencers’ legs, to study the
differences between genders during paediatric ages, and to study the relationship between
the non specific strength capacities and the fencing physical-technical tests.
Method
15 male and 10 female fencers from different specialities (sabre: n = 9, épée: n = 14 and
foil: n = 8) participated in the study. The sample characteristics are shown in table 1. The
maximal isometric strength was measured by the dynamometer Cybex 6000. The subject
made 2 contractions at a knee flexion of 30º-60º-90º. The parameters were peak torque (PT,
Nm) and time to peak torque (TPT, s). To measure the maximal dynamic force we used an
incremental protocol with the hydraulic press Kaiser, connected to the MuscleLab system
by an encoder to detect the path and velocity of the resistance. The parameters were the
load at maximal repetition (MR, Kg) and the maximal average power (MAP, w), in abso-
lute measures and relative to body weight. The vertical jumping test Squat Jump (SJ) and
Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) described by Bosco et al. (Bosco & Komi, 1979; Bosco,
Luhtanen, & Komi, 1983) were used to register the explosive force. The parameters were
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Book of Abstracts
the estimated elevation of the centre of gravity and the elastic coefficient. The specific
fencing tests combine timed 10 m steps forward and backward ended by a “lunge” and the
so called “3x(5+5)” which can be explained as successive steps forward and backward in
a 5 m lane. In all tests maximal recovery was ensured. Statistical analysis was done by the
SPSS® 12.0 (Chicago, EEUU), and the significance level was established at p ≤ 0.05.
Results and discussion

Supporting previous studies (Tsolakis, Bogdanis, & Vagenas, 2006; Tsolakis, Bogdanis,
Vagenas, & Dessypris, 2006), no significant differences between genders were observed
in any of the tests (p> 0,05). Neither in the specific tests nor in absolute and relative to
body weight strength parameters. Only significant differences are observed with MAP
with both legs in the hydraulic press. The high intersubjects variability (8,7%<CV<40%)
suggests a wider and more flexible strength pattern of legs in young elite fencers than in
adult ones. Height and weight correlates significantly (p≤0,05) with PT, both in the right
and left leg. In opposite, no significant correlations exist with age (p> 0,05). Surprisingly
only scarce and disjointed significant correlations are observed between the height and
weight and few maximal dynamic strength parameters, like the MAP with both legs and
the MR with the left leg (p>0,05). As a result, no logical tendencies can be proposed.
No significant correlations were observed between the height in SJ and CMJ and the
PT, whereas significant relations were registered between the jumping capacity and the
maximal dynamic strength parameters measured with the hydraulic press. Whilst no sig-
nificant correlations were found between the specific tests and the maximal isometric
strength parameters, neither the elastic coefficient, significant correlations exist with the
majority of the maximal dynamic strength parameters and the jumping capacity (particu-
larly the SJ). That is particularly the case of backward steps in spite of the forward ones
and the MAP with both legs. In opposite to expectations, the strength parameters relative
to body weight do not always have a stronger relationship to specific tests than the ones
expressed in absolute terms.
Conclusions
The present study confirms the similar strength performances between both genders in
young fencers. It is suggested that the maximal dynamic strength and power registered
with hydraulic press, and explosive strength measured by SJ, are useful predictors of
the performance tests that use specific technical fencings movements. Whereas positive
associations are usually made between TPT and explosive movements’ performance, no
relationship is observed at least with the current fencing sample.
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References
1. Bosco, C., & Komi, P. V. (1979). Potentiation of the mechanical behavior of the human
skeletal muscle through prestretching. Acta Physiol Scand, 106(4), 467-72.
2. Bosco, C., Luhtanen, P., & Komi, P. V. (1983). A simple method for measurement of
mechanical power in jumping. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol, 50(2), 273-82.
3. Tsolakis, C., Bogdanis, G. C., & Vagenas, G. (2006). Anthropometric profile and
limb asymmetries in young male and female fencers. J. Human Movement Studies, 50,
201-206.
4. Tsolakis, C. K., Bogdanis, G. C., Vagenas, G. K., & Dessypris, A. G. (2006). Influ-
ence of twelve-month conditionning program on physical growth, serum hormones,
and neuromuscular performance of peripuberal male fencers. Journal of Strength and
Conditioning Research, 20(4), 908-914.
Illustrations
Peak Torque to Body Weight. Right Leg Time to Peak Torque. Right Leg
4,5 3,5
ns
4,0 ns 3,0
3,5
2,5
3,0
2,5 2,0
Men Men
2,0 Women 1,5 Women
1,5
1,0
1,0
0,5
0,5
0,0 0,0
30º 60º 90º 30º 60º 90º
Knee Flexion Knee Flexion
Figura 1: Maximal isometric strength of the leg extensors measured with the Cybex 6000 isokinetic dinamometer.
Table 1: Descriptive statistics for anthropometric characteristics of the subjects
Gender Age (years) Height (cm) Weigth (Kg)

Males 14,8 ± 0,56 171,1 ± 7,02 61,4 ± 10,52
Females 15,2 ± 0,93 163,0 ± 5,73 57,4 ± 8,08
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Table 2: Mean and standard deviation of the subject’s performance in the jumping, hydraulic press and specific
tests
Type of measurement Variable Males Females

SJ (cm) 33,3 ± 4,75 26,7 ± 4,36
Vertical Jump in Bosco
CMJ (cm) 36,3 ± 6,28 32,5 ± 5,80
platform
Elastic coef. 7,4 ± 5,10 16,9 ± 11,62
RM (Kg) 231,3 ± 58,4 207 ± 32,95
RM_bw 3,7 ± 0,9 3,4 ± 1,32
Maximal Dinamic
MAP (W) 847,4 ± 167,9 755,0 ± 165,46
Strength in Hidraulic Press
Load at MAP (Kg) 123 ± 30,2 115 ± 20,80
MAP_bw (W/Kg) 13,4 ± 3,4 12,5 ± 1,96
10 m step forward (s) 2,7 ± 0,26 2,8 ± 0,21
Fencing Specific tests 10 m step backward (s) 3,1 ± 0,41 3,1 ± 0,25
3x(5+5) (s) 11,0 ± 0,96 11,5 ± 0,64
85
Oxygen uptake and heart rate during
standing and wheelchair fencing in
able-bodied fencers
XAVIER IGLESIAS, LISÍMACO VALLEJO, FERRAN A. RODRÍGUEZ
Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya
Universitat de Barcelona. Spain.
Correspondence to:
xiglesias@gencat.cat
Keywords:
Fencing, Wheelchair, Fencing, Oxygen uptake, Heart rate
Introduction
Only a few reports on the cardiorespiratory and energy demands of fencing can be found in
the literature. Oxygen uptake (VO2) been estimated based on the backwards extrapolation
method during a local competition have (Lavoie & Léger 1988), and based on heart rate
response during national and international competitions (Iglesias & Rodríguez 1999a). We
have also characterized the cardiorespiratory demands of simulated competitive assaults
using a portable gas analyser (Iglesias & Rodríguez 1999b). Unlike able-bodied fencing,
wheelchair fencing is static: the fencers are sitting and their wheelchairs are clamped to
the piste. Beyond this, the sport is largely similar to its able-bodied counterpart. To our
knowledge, the physiological demands of wheelchair fencing have not been investigated.
This study aimed to characterize the cardiorespiratory demands of standing and wheel-
chair fencing on a group of able-bodied fencers during simulated competitive assaults.

A group of 10 able-bodied fencers of national level with previous training experience in
wheelchair fencing participated in the study. After a standardised warm-up, they all per-
formed two series of simulated competitive epée assaults (5 and 15 touchés) at random
order while standing and sitting on a wheelchair. A portable telemetric breath-by-breath
gas analyser (Cosmed K4b2, Italy) was connected to a breathing mask located under a
conventional fencing mask. Heart rate (HR) was continuously measured using the in-built
monitor (Polar, Finland).
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Results
Table 1 shows a summary of main cardiorespiratory measurements during standing and
wheelchair fencing during the assaults (n=10). The average oxygen uptake (VO2) during
the standing assaults (n=10) was 44% higher that during wheelchair fencing (44.2 vs.
24.7 mL·kg-1·min-1). Accordingly, similar relative differences were observed in energy
expenditure (892 vs. 499 kcal·h-1). A relatively low but significant correlation (r=0.635,
p=0.49) was observed between VO2 in both situations (Figure 1). Average HR was 15%
higher during standing (161 vs. 137 b·min-1). No significant differences were noted in the
respiratory exchange ratio (RER), averaging 0.78 in both situations, and pointing out a
predominance of aerobic metabolism during both types of exercise.

Average VO2 values directly measured during simulated fencing assaults were in line with
our previous studies (average 44.2 vs. 41.4 mL·kg-1·min-1), as well as HR values (161 vs.
159 b·min-1) (Iglesias y Rodríguez 1999a). As expected, cardiorespiratory demands dur-
ing wheelchair fencing as measured for the first time on able-bodied subjects in order to
compare within the same athletes are clearly lower, with VO2 almost half of conventional
standing fencing (56%), and HR 15% lower on average. Interestingly, correlation between
oxygen requirements in both modes of fencing was relatively low and hardly significant,
suggesting different levels of specific adaptation to both modes of exercise. Studies on
wheelchair fencers with various handicaps and handicap levels should be undertaken in
order to establish specific metabolic and cardiorespiratory requirements.
References (truncated to 3)
Lavoie J-M, Léger LA. Escrime de compétition. Analyse énergétique. Médecine du Sport
1988; 62(6)310-313.
Iglesias X, Rodríguez FA. Physiological demands and energy cost of fencing during com-
petitions of national and international level. In Parisi et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the 4th
Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Rome: ECSS, 1999a: 428.
Iglesias X, Rodríguez FA. Telemetric measurements versus heart-rate-matched oxygen
consumption during simulated competitive fencing assaults. In Parisi et al. (eds.),
Proceedings of the 4th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science.
Rome: ECSS, 1999b: 429.
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Table 1. Summary of cardiorespiratory telemetric measurements during standing and wheelchair fencing in
able-bodied fencers (n=10).
Difference t-test
Standing Wheelchair
(% standing) (p)
Absolute VO2 3117 ± 627 1760 ± 488
43,5 <0,001
(L·min-1) (2213-4156) (1098-2786)
Relative VO2 44,2 ± 7,8 24,7 ± 5,6
44,1 <0,001
(mL·kg-1·min-1) (32,5-56,3) (18,0-37,6)
RER 0,78 ± 0,04 0,78 ± 0,05
0 0,92
(VCO2/VO2) (0,71-0,84) (0,70-0,84)
Heart rate 161 ± 13 137 ± 14
14,9 <0,001
(beats·min-1) (135-176) (113-158)
Energy expenditure 892 ± 190 499 ± 173
44,1 <0,001
(kcal·h-1) (626-1207) (229-868)
Data are mean ± SD (min-max values).
Illustration
60
50
40
30
20 y = 0,5788x + 29,941
r = 0,63; p = 0,49
10
10 20 30 40 50 60
-1 -1
VO2 wheelchair (mL·kg·min )
Figure 1. Correlation between average oxygen uptake (VO2) during standing and wheelchair fencing in able-bodied
fencers (n=10). The linear regression equation and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) are shown.
88
Reaction time on fencing and karate
high level athletes
1
2
OSCAR MARTÍNEZ DE QUEL
1
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
2
Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Madrid (España)
Correspondence to:
manuelsillero@upm.esl
Keywords:
Reaction time, Karate, Fencing, Combat, Sports
Introduction
The great speed of the actions in combat sports makes very difficult to react quickly with-
out mistakes. If the fighter had longer time to react, their reaction would be more accurate.
This fact gives relevance to choice time reaction (CRT) studies on these kinds of sports.
The importance of the athletes’ physical or psychological abilities varies depending
on the sport played. According to the requirements of the speciality, players who reach
the maximum level will be those who have the characteristics requested to compete on it.
These abilities could be innate or “life-long” acquired by training.
Previous studies have not confirmed yet in which sports reaction time is more impor-
tant. In addition, previous measurements should be considered with caution because some
of them included movement time in the reaction time results (Martínez de Quel, 2003).
An approach to get further knowledge about this subject, it is comparing the results of
experts in two or more disciplines with unspecific tests, in which previous sport experi-
ence is not required in order to perform the test.
Material and method

After signing an informed consent, 54 athletes (17 women and 37 men), who constitute
100 % of the Spanish National Teams of Fencing and Karate took part in the study.
Reaction time was measured using the program SuperLab Pro 2.0 (Cedrus, San Pedro,
CA, USA). The task was designed following previous similar protocols (Martínez de
Quel, Saucedo and Lopez, 2005). We showed to the subject a black squared shape point-
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ing up, down, right or left on a white background. Athletes had to answer by pressing a
button corresponding to the direction of the squared shape. Every participant performed
4 blocks of 25 trials. The whole first block and the first trial of each block were excluded
from the statistical analysis.
Two variables were calculated: reaction time (mean of 72 the trials) and efficiency in
the test (number of correct responses divided by reaction time and multiplied by a con-
stant to avoid decimals).
Using SPSS 9.0, after confirming the equality of variances with the Levene’s test
results were compared with a Student T-test. The comparison was realized separately
between men and women of both disciplines. The T-test was carried out in every variable,
except for efficiency between masculine groups, where Levene’s test did not confirm the
equality of variances.

Results are shown in table 1. In short, girls of the Spanish National Team of Fencing and
Karate do not differ in a test of reaction time neither in reaction time (t =, 017; p> 0,05)
nor in efficiency (t=1,332; p>, 05), whereas the boys of the National Team of Fencing are
better than those of Karate both in reaction time (t=2,124; p <, 05) and in the efficiency in
the test (t=2,969; p <, 05) that take in count the number of mistakes.
The results of this study allow us to know something more about the variables related
to the performance in combat sports and they will be useful as a reference for training,
detection and selection of talents. The practical consequence of this study is that, for
group of young athletes, a subject with a good reaction time will be more interesting for
fencing than for karate.
References
Martínez de Quel, Ó., López, E. & Saucedo, F. (2005). La medición del tiempo de reac-
ción en el deporte: antecedentes y nuevos métodos de medida. Actas del Congreso
Internacional Universidad Europea de Madrid, Actividad Física y el Deporte en la
sociedad del Siglo XXI. Madrid.
Martínez de Quel, Ó. (2003). El tiempo de reacción visual en el karate. Doctoral Thesis.
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid.
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Table 1. Reaction time and efficiency in the test of fencing and karate athletes
Males Females
karate or fencing Standard Standard
N Mean N Mean
athletes deviation deviation
fencing 16 267,95 19,49 9 237,5 12,84
efficiency
karate 21 240,61 35,79 8 227,58 17,76
reaction fencing 16 356,49 38,5 9 397,11 34,11

time (ms) karate 21 399 72,5 8 396,84 30,23
91
Fencing & medias: media coverage
of the world championships
MATHILDE RICHEL
Attachée de Presse
Federation Internationale d’Escrime
Correspondence to:
mathilde.richel@fie.ch
Keywords:
Fencing, Media, TV, Print Press, Communication
Introduction
Transparent mask, wireless apparatus, parity on the three weapons: Fencing is today a
moving sport, subjected to not only technologic changes.
Those changes are laid by IOC’s and Olympic Movement Medias demand in sport.
How make the media more involved in FIE and National Fencing Federations activi-
ties? How giving more media coverage to our sport? How could we attract more media,
audience as well as tomorrow’s sponsors?
Those are among issues that FIE’s communication office has to deal with.
Until now half and a year, FIE is trying to increase its communication policy.
Here is a brief summarization of the stakes we want to reach as well as a first brief of
what FIE did so far to increase and develop its communication: the promotion of Dakar’s
Fencing Masters, for instance, at the heart of a print press and TV coverage reported by
French Press Agency AFP produced and broadcasted in June 2007.
Acknowledgement:
I am thankful to International Fencing Federation on behalf of its President M. René
Roch, as well as of Catalan Fencing Federation’s President M. Xavier Iglesias whom al-
low me in participate on this 1st International Science and Technology Congress.
Many thanks to M. Eduardo Dos Santos, President of FIE’s SEMI Commission for his
great help and precious collaboration to the development of Fencing.
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Book of Abstracts
References
1. IFM TV analysis of Turín and St-Petersburg World Championships.
2. IOC’s communication releases
3. “Le sponsoring Sportif”, Economica Ed- Connaissance de la Gestion by Gary Tribou
4. Senegalese Fencing Federation
5. Olympic Actualities, Olympic Academy, GAISF
Illustrations
93
A new family of software for fencing in
the continuation of the engarde software
JEAN-FRANÇOIS NICAUD
Laboratoire d’Informatique de Grenoble
Université de Grenoble 1 (France)
Correspondence to:
jean-francois.nicaud@imag.fr
Keywords:
Engarde, Display, Hall, Web, Real time, Classification
In September 2008, a company will be created for continuing the development of the En-
garde software for managing fencing competitions and offering services to competition
organizers. It will also work on repositories of competition results and on rankings. We
describes below the products and services envisaged. This has to be considered as a first
reflection which aims at evolving while progressing and discussing with users.
“Engarde” family of competition management software

Engarde Basic will be the evolution of the current Engarde software, working with files.
It will have only few modifications.
• Engarde Basic will be multi-lingual software, easy to use and free.
Engarde Plus will contain in addition flags, logos, an advanced management of referees,
and an automatic deposit of HTML files on Websites. It will be associated to display
software called Afficheur Plus.
Afficheur Plus will allow displaying poules, tableaux and rankings, with refreshment
period of 5 or 10 seconds. It will allow, for example, displaying all the poules, or an entire
tableau, on screens situated at several places of the competition site.
• These two programs will be multi-lingual software, rather easy to use and not free.
They could be ready by September 2008.
Engarde Pro will be the evolution of the programs used at the World Championships of
Saint-Petersburg. It will be connected to the piste devices for automatic “hit by hit”. It
will work with two data bases, the first one being on a local server for competition man-
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Book of Abstracts
agement and local displays, the second one being on a Web server for Web displays. It
will be associated to display software called Afficheur Pro.
Afficheur Pro will allow displaying poules, tableaux and rankings, with refreshment pe-
riod of 1 second. It also will allow displaying the piste: names, flags, scores, chrono,
lights, etc. It also will allow displaying publicities.
• These two programs will be multi-lingual software. Their use will be complex and
reserved to specialized teams of federations or of private companies. Such teams will
be trained for the use of these programs.
Repository of competition results, display on the Web and rankings

Federations and regional organizations have competition results to stock and need soft-
ware in order to search competitions, to display competitions, and to make rankings of
fencers with certain competitions.
The society developing Engarde will develop a solution for these needs. It will be a
multi-lingual and generic solution allowing reducing costs. Organisms (federations or
regional organisms) interested by such repositories and treatments will have a solution
installed on their web servers by the Engarde Company. Organisms will be owners of
information (competition results) stocked in the data bases while the Engarde Company
will be owner of the pieces of software.
Conclusion
The quality of Engarde is world wide known. The new products will have the same level
of quality. The main idea of the future society will be to combine: (1) Sells of products to
ensure the existence of the society; (2) Design of generic solutions in order to decrease
the user costs.
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Book of Abstracts
Illustrations
Figure 1. Ecran affichant l’état d’une piste. La situation est inventée

(n’est pas celle d’une compétition réelle).
Figure 2. Ecran affichant un quart de tableau près d’une piste. Le score est mis à jour
à chaque seconde. La situation est inventée (n’est pas celle d’une compétition réelle).
96
ABSTRACTS
POSTERS
Biomechanical model of the fencing
lunge to the head in female sabre weapon
MIHAI ZISSU B., CARMEN E. SILVA
Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador
Instituto Nacional de Deportes
Caracas, Venezuela
Correspondence to:
zissumihai@yahoo.com
Keywords:
Biomechanics, Model, Fencing, Lunge, Female, Sabre
The qualitative biomechanical model is a structure representing the relationship that ex-
ists between the results (objective) proposed through the execution of a skill as well as the
factors producing such result. The objects can be quantifiable or subjective aspects, ac-
cording to specific skills. In general, the factors are biomechanical characteristics (kine-
matical or kinetical characteristics) although, in the elaboration of biomechanical models
anthropometrical variables can be taken into account, as well as those variables related
with the complexity of the executing technique in the corresponding movement .
The offensive attack in fencing has as its main objective scoring the points, which
means to touch the opponent fencer with the weapon in his or her first opportunity with-
out receiving any touch from the other fencer. In this sense, the object consists on giving
a touch in the valid target area at the appropriate time to surprise, score and win the bout
point. The winner of the bout will be the first fencer scoring 15 points (touches) or the one
who accumulates the highest number of points at the established time the bout ends.
The quantitative biomechanical model has the particularity that the results and factors
involved in them are numeric variables that can be obtained by quantitative biomechani-
cal studies which puts into practice high technology and sophisticated equipment with the
aim of obtaining exact results of the best athletes in national and international fields of the
discipline. The main factors permitting the obtaining of the point through the attack with
sabre weapon are: a) the ideal trajectory of the weapon in those different motion planes;
b) to execute the skill and movement in the shortest period of time possible, at the ap-
propriate moment, so that the fencer can surprise the opponent and, at the same time, can
avoid an effective defense or the counterattack. The before mentioned factors will depend
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Book of Abstracts
on the influence of some others, represented by kinematical and kinetical variables of the
specific movement performed by the athlete.
The aim of the present research was to design and validate the biomechanical model of
the attack in fencing and to provide quantifiable results to the elaboration of the quantita-
tive biomechanical model corresponding to the best Venezuelan athletes in the discipline
of female sable weapon. The book references of diverse studies on elite international
athletes were revised. They were useful for establishing the bases of a skill quantitative
model, and for getting a level execution analysis corresponding to the Venezuelan athletes.
The sample consisted of four (4) female athletes who are part of the Venezuelan Fencing
Team in the modality of Sabre. Many space and temporary kinematical characteristics
were taken into account to the analysis. It was used the 2D video graphic method as well
as the Hu-m-am 5.0 Computerized System to process the video capture, digitizing the
points of the structure of the model to determine the automatic calculus and 2D analysis,
in each of the biomechanical variables selected within all phases of the movement.
In conclusion, the group studied is considered of a good performance, due to the
fact that all athletes fulfilled the basic criteria described in the bibliography. It could be
observed that: a) the action of the touch with the weapon to the opponent, in the long dis-
tance, was done before the moment of the double support in the lower extremities (contact
with pendulant foot, the one of attack), b) in the action of the touch, the movement of the
center of gravity of the body in all athletes of this research was to horizontal direction and
almost null to vertical direction, c) the average maximum resultant velocity in the points
of the structural model was reached in the extreme of the weapon, d) the maximum angle
displacement and average angular velocity of the segments corresponding to the bio-kin-
ematical chain was executed by the forearm, but not by the weapon, considering that the
weapon represents the element of touch, which is the main objective of the movement.
99
Wireless fencing
LLUÍS M. CAMPOS, RAÚL JUAN
Students at Universidad Politécnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Club d’Esgrima Ciutat de Terrassa. Federated in the FCE.
Barcelona (España)
Correspondence to:
info@esgrimaterrassa.es
Keywords:
Wireless, Signalization, Equipment
Introduction
A Signalling System that does not require the use of wires or any other ties between it and
the player. This new technology will be compatible with all existing weapons and equip-
ment and to be 100% reliable. It consists of three elements: a static device and two dy-
namic devices. The static device is responsible for marking the hits simple and / or double
(depending on the mode) receiving the signal of any dynamic device that is synchronized.
Each player wears a dynamic device, which is responsible for identifying those hit valid
in each mode (épée, foil and sable) and transmit a coded signal to the static device.
Physical structure:
The wireless signalling system consists of two devices communicated with each other by
free band radio frequency. The characteristics of these devices are:
Static Device:
The static device is the fixed part of the wireless signalling system. Upon receiving the
signal from one of the dynamic devices, make sure that there are no errors in the message
and verifies the synchronization to avoid interference with other devices. Then the static
device signals a double and / or single hit (depending on the mode) with a corresponding
signal light and sound.
Dynamic Devices:
The dynamic device is the portable system and it is connected to each player body wire.
It works with a nine-volt rechargeable battery.
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Book of Abstracts
Identifies valid touches in any form of fencing through its S.I.T system (Touches
Interpretation System) fast and reliable. After identified, the touch signal is coded in a
microcontroller [1] and transmitted to the static device through a module transreceptor
LPRS [2].
Communications protocol
To maximize the effectiveness of the system and prevent errors communications protocol
has been designed tailored to the needs of the sport, which guarantees:
• Unique and exclusive identification of each bout, thus allowing simultaneous

bouts.
• Priority for an instantaneous transmission.
• Confirmation System for maximum security.
Compatibility
The signalling system is fully retrocompatible with existing facilities.
The dynamic device is connected through the body wire to conventional weapons,
jacket and / or mask without modifying them.
The static device is capable of work in wireless way; sync with the dynamic devices,
or operate with the conventional wired installation.
The radio transmissions between devices will be carried out through radio modules
approved in Europe and the United States. The frequency band is free. These modules
have transmission warranties.
References
[1] Microchip Technology Inc. http://www.microchip.com
[2] LPRS Technology. http://www.lprs.co.uk/
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Book of Abstracts
Illustrations
1. Basic Prototype
2. Chronograms for the protocol.
102
The insertion of fencing in the curriculum
of the escola nacional de educação física
e desportos ( 1939-1974 ) –a historical
perspective
1
ANA MARIA FONTOURA, 2VÁLBER LÁZARO NAZARETH
1
Profª. de Esgrima da Escola de Educação Física e Desportos
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
2
Técnico de esgrima na Academia da Força Aérea – AFA
Doutorando da Faculdade de Educação Física da Universidade Estadual de Campinas
–Unicamp
Correspondence to:
anafontouraa@gmail.com
Keywords:
Fencing; Physical Education; History, Sport, Curriculum
Understanding that the historical construction of a country occurs through the compre-
hension and interaction of its several segments, besides the developed sporting and edu-
cating practices, taking into consideration the socio-cultural structure of a period of time,
this research had as objective to understand, through the study of the difficulties and the
social, cultural and educational influences suffered by the fencing, its insertion in the
curriculum of the Escola Nacional de Educação Física e Desportos (ENEFD), as well as
substantiating facts for a possible construction of the history of the National Fencing in
its several segments. The central subject was to identify why the fencing did not extend
its insertion in the several schools of physical education of the country, thus constructing,
different from the military ways, its proper pedagogical didactic conception in order to
form professors of Physical Education with necessary basic knowledge for the develop-
ment of the sport. Rio de Janeiro was chosen for collection of the biggest part of facts
due to its importance in the national scenery of the epoch, since it was the government’s
headquarters and main port of entrance of the Country, and where later appears the first
Brazilian superior school of formation of Physical Education professors (ENEFD), linked
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to a University (Universidade do Brasil). The present study is based on a historical/de-

scriptive research and a content analysis, where several sources had been consulted such
as: periodic, documentary registers, registers, decrees, photographic memories, clippings
of periodicals, retractions of personal archives, personal communication, several authors
and files of institutions and entities.
The investigation was conducted firstly, through the following data base: course of
fencing, its practice in Brazil and its inclusion in the ENEFD curriculum; Fencing as a
curricular component in ENEFD and its educational value; and, the difficulty and social,
cultural and educational influences suffered by fencing. Right after, a data base was cre-
ated about the fencing developed in sports and education in Brazil. With the help of this
data base, we analyzed and discussed the results, relating it to the social, cultural and
education context in order to understand it. This became a real critical revision.
We could conclude that Brazilian fencing goes through several difficulties and prob-
lems in the different areas: sport and education, which along the years were kept and
remained avoiding its development. Since in the beginning it had a specific goal of pre-
paring men to war, only later, in the middle of the XIX century, it starts being practiced
as a form of sport activity.
Since the beginning of national Physical Education, in the middle of the 19th century,
we can observe the participation of the military in the systematization and teaching of
practices related to physical exercises and fencing.
Regarding the fencing introduced in ENEFD, we noticed that its implantation was
made by influence of the military circle, where the French method was adopted in which
the fencing practice was recommended. The fencing practiced at ENEFD was for many
years tied to what was practiced and developed in the military circle, not being created a
pedagogic conception of its own, aiming the formation of fencing teachers on the bias of
Brazilian Universities.
As a result of this lack of conception with a broader academic vision, among other
factors, is the reflection of the reduced number of Physical Education Schools in the
country, which we verified already having had in its curricula the subject Fencing, which
is only taught at EEFD (ENEFD). It is necessary to broaden this offering, so that through
teaching, research and extension it can be favoured that discovery and application of
new methods, techniques and pedagogic conceptions that will allow the development and
growth of this sport in various fields. Broadening its practice based on scientific data, in
the case of research, in the offer and easy access to various groups of the society, in the
case of extension, and preparation and increase of the number of professors qualified to
work with fencing, in the case of education.
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References
Cantarino Filho, Mário. A Educação Física no Estado Novo: História e Doutrina Bra-
sileira. Brasília: UnB, 1982 Dissertação de Mestrado.
Da Ponte, Rodolfo I. Manual de Esgrima Moderna de Florete ( arma básica de la es-
grima), Técnica - Tática - Pedagogia - Regulamento. Paraguay - Asunción: Imprensa
militar de la dirección de publicacions de las FF. AA. NN., agosto de 1976.
Melo, Victor Andrade de. Escola Nacional de Educação Física e Desportos - uma possível
história. Campinas: Unicamp, 1996. Dissertação (Mestrado em Educação Física)
Pintor, José Luiz Marques. A Criação da Escola Nacional de Educação Física e Desportos
da Universidade do Brasil e sua Inserção na Política do Estado Novo. Rio de Janeiro:
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 1995. Dissertação de Mestrado, pós-gradu-
ação em Educação Física da Escola de Educação Física e Desportos.
105
Determination of intensity in fencing
training
1
JORGE LUÍS CHIQUET, 2JUAN PINTO
1
Licenciado Educación Física ,Club de Esgrima de Azuqueca
2
Licenciado Educación Física Federación Colombiana de Esgrima
Correspondence to:
chiquetjl@hotmail.com
Keywords:
Intensity, Training, Heart rate, Correlation
In Fencing it is essential to determine the intensity of training to ensure the effectiveness

of the training program. From the techniques normally used some complications arise
because of the time they require, and can some times be debatable/ arguable.
Combining the results obtained from 5 defined parameters, which vary during a fenc-
ers training, it has been possible to determine the intensity of the training session from the
pulse during the physical activity.
The monitoring of the training sessions was carried out/done throughout the general physi-
cal preparation, specific physical preparation and the work done in individual lessons.
The parameters used are the following: the variation in blood pH (due to the pres-
ence of lactic acid in blood); the complexity involved in certain movements; the level of
concentration; the correlation between the number of series of repetitions of exercises
and energy use (blood pH); observation during periods of work and rest; and the recorded
cardiac frequency.
Lactic acid in the blood was determined by taking a blood sample from a pricked
finger. The disadvantage of this technique is that results are not immediate as labora-
tory analysis is required. Another problem is that the fencers find the procedure of being
punctured several times annoying.
The complexity of an exercise has been defined from coordinated analysis carried out
by fencing coaches and physiologists.
The level of concentration based on the quality of each exercise as the number of
repetitions increases.
The duration and intensity of work were changed, as well as the time of recovery
time.
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Book of Abstracts
The values of cardiac frequency were taken from the pulse despite the inconvenience
of having to stop the exercise to record it. The use of a pulsometer would obviously be
better and improve and produce more reliable results.
Correlations of the series of exercises and the different periods of rest were done with
the changes in blood pH.
All the data that was gathered from the first four parameters was correlated with the
data of cardiac frequency so that the latter could be used as quick indicator for knowing
the intensity of the training. Being aware of this is the best way of making training ses-
sions effective.
Finally, the values of cardiac frequency, which are easier to control during training
session, allow us to see its intensity.
107
Knife fencing. An ethnographic
approach to the traditional fencing
in the marine districts of the cabanyal
and grao (València)
LAURA RUIZ, DANIEL MARTOS
Universidad Católica de Valencia, Valencia. (España)
Correspondence to:
laura.ruiz@ucv.es
Keywords:
Ethnography, Fencing, Knife, Dock workers
Introduction
Even though many studies and references have been lately produced, there are not enough
about so peculiar varieties practiced in ports during the end of the XIX century and begin-
ning of the XX.
With this research we try to gather information about this modality: its tools, fighting
techniques, learning procedures and entry rituals.
Material and method
The existence of oral sources from people who practiced and taught the knife fencing in
the districts where this modality was rooted justifies the use of ethnographic techniques
of investigation, such as the observation or the interviews, as well as the document col-
lection: writings and graphical ones. Mainly, the interviews in depth with the selected
informants allow us to obtain a great amount of information (Fetterman, 1998).
The analysis has been done by means of the reduction and classification in categories
of information that we have considered relevant for the investigation.
The knife was part of the clothes and the character of the sailor and Valencian dock
worker, as fundamental tool-work in harbour zones. This traditional weapon, its use and
elements that entail are part of the culture of the town that adopted it between century
XIX-XX. Taught in the “Casinet” of the Cabanyal (Valencia) to sailors and fishermen by
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Book of Abstracts
national masterful annealings of sport fencing. Its use was in the defense that it provided
the dominion of this technique in towns and cities of the Mediterranean coast with marine
commerce relations.
In conclusion, this certainly particular modality is the fencing of the dagger, the knife,
the beta wood and in an exceptional way: the “canvas shoe” fencing.
“It is a tool that serves to gain the bread with humility. But sometimes faster than the
insult or the offense and very difficult to measure or to graduate in the aggression; for that
reason we would say that it is quicker than the thought and next to the will that the same
thought. It enters until the fist; the index and the thumb touch the body. That contact that
would be enough to pardon and indicates the aim of a confrontation .”(Martinez 1933).
Knife fencing maintains certain similarities with the modern fencing and is too classic
to be considered street fencing or inherited from the Hungarians (cingars and gypsy). In
opinion of the interviewed people it is a descendant of the Italian fencing transformed by
some teachers.
Whereas “the saber, the foil, handled quickly, offers to the fist the resistance of their
length; there is an inert force according to the speed and the trajectory of the end, that de-
mands the wrist to be under on the game and it makes them yield to the intention “(Boss-
ini 1946), in the knife the force goes from the hand to the end, without the leaf presenting
sensible opposition to the attack.
Its practice presents/displays displacements, sometimes acrobatic movements, where
the contenders fight like authentic circus artists. It maintains his own technique and sys-
tem battle. The expert in this fight does not expect to use the force as the base of his ap-
plication but the technique against the violence of his opposite, refusing the shock and
the direct bonding with the adversary, that takes advantage of his LANCES in his own
benefit. Using the provocation of the body to aim precise cuts in the outposts, with the
purpose of disarming and looking for other targets.
The sword has its school and its style; the knife is, to a large extent, a mixture of intui-
tion, experience, and use of techniques of other weapons. The teacher selected the pupil
carefully taking mostly into acount his common sense. The knife combat exhibition made
no sense, although the sailors used of the game (with arms of wood or contained knives)
to perfect tricks, who will transform into a lethal game.
The use of all these techniques is lost in the middle of the XX Century when the knife
stops being a useful work-tool in the port, and there are already few those who practice it
and can speak in first person of the knife fencing in the district of the Cabañal, Valencia.
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References
Fetterman, D. (1998). Ethnography. Step by step. London: Sage Publications.
Martínez, E. (1933) Radiografía de la Pampa. Primeros ensayos sociológicos e históri-
cos. Revista Iberoamericana 61 (1966): 77-84
Bossini, E. (1946) La esgrima Moderna. Tratado teórico práctico de la esgrima de flo-
rete, espada y sable. Barcelona: Editorial Bosch.
110
Posture control in fencing
1
Mª TERESA POMÉS, 1CARME PORCAR, 2JORDI SURÓS
1
UAPE- CAR Hospital de Terrassa- Centre d’ Alt Rendiment Sant Cugat del Vallès,
2
Residente 3º año de la Escuela de Medicina de la Educación Física y del Deporte
Correspondence to:
tpomes@car.edu
Keywords:
Posture, Control, Stabilometry, Gravity centre, Supporting, Leg, Oscillating
Introduction
The aim of this study is to observe the normal posture control of a group of high perform-
ance fencers and the posture control using only one foot support ( one time the right and
after the left) taking into account the supporting back leg and the oscillating or driving
front leg based on the domineering side.

We studied a group of 10 high performance fencers between the ages of 18 and 25, male
and female. The measurements were carried out on a posture analysis platform with both
feet. There were 6 stabilization tests: bare footed and with eyes open and closed on the
platform; eyes open and closed on foam; right and left one foot support with eyes open
and without foam. The basic parameters that we analyzed were: right-left movements (X),
forward-backwards (Y), width in X and Y, length covered (L), surface covered (S), the
relationship between both (LFSa), the relationship between the surface with eyes open
and closed, speed based on Y (VFY), and total energy in X and Y.
Results
A descriptive analysis of the basic parameters was carried out. We noticed that each ath-
lete had their own characteristic trait in posture control. Although we see that common
characteristics require a main model in the same sport, the one foot support suggests a
certain adaptation to the sport, and it appears to be different if we refer to the supporting
leg or the oscillating leg.
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Conclusions
Stabilometry is a good technique for posture control in fencers. It informs us of the char-
acteristics of each athlete and points out different problems that can arise when the results
deviate from the normal standards. If so, an examination of posture control is required,
and this provides a better adaptation to the sport. .
112
Influence of the first hit in the final
score of an épée bout
1,2
XAVIER IGLESIAS, 1,2CÉSAR GONZÁLEZ, 1,2ALBA CORTÉS,
1,2
RAFAEL TARRAGÓ, 1,3JUAN JOSÉ GARCÍA
1
2
3
Pla d’Activitat Física, Esport i Salut (PAFES) de la Secretaria General de l’Esport
Correspondence to:
xiglesias@gmail.com
Keywords:
Fencing, Observation, Technique, Épée, Hit
1. Introduction
There are many factors that influence a victory or defeat in an épée bout. Technical ele-
ments and tactical approaches are worked out by the fencing masters in training to con-
front, in the best conditions possible, the variety of situations which are the key to suc-
cess in a combat bout. Often, however, the difference between victory and defeat often
depends on small details that need to be under control.
2. Objectives
Characterize the typology of an épée hit (single/double)
Assess the importance on the final score of getting the first bout hit.
Determine the influence of the priority draw, in the event of a draw, on the score at the
end of the combat.
3. Methodology
3.1. Subjects
In this research, 336 bouts were analyzed from the sample (n=14) 8 males and 6 females,
all of them in the highest junior competition level in Spain, the subject average age is 18.4
years old (DS=2 years).
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3.2. Material
Video camera recorder (Sony DCR-TRV355E), Video copier (Pershin VHS-HQ), Televi-
sion (Sanyo) and stencil observation (self-design).
3.3. Method
A cross sectional analysis was performed based on observational methodology (Anguera
1991, 1993). Ideographic unit study. Intrasessional and unidimentional monitoring
study.
The analysis of the bouts of the fencers from the sample was done in 16 official com-
petitions. The following items were registered: the fighter that made the first hit, who the
winner was, who had priority in the event of a draw, and finally what the typology of each
hit was (single/double). The Kolgomorov Smirnov test did not prove the normality, and
we opted for non parametric methods.
When the first hit, or the successive ones were doubles, we considered the hit that
broke the tie.
4. Results
In the 305 bouts analyzed, there was a scientific level of 0.000 on the influence of the first
hit with the final victory, using the chi-squared test and the binomial test. 65% of male and
female fencers (with similar percentages depending on the sex) who won the first hit had
the victory in the bout (Graph 1). This percentage keeps the statistic significance; however
it is slightly lower in the direct elimination bouts to 15 hits (55%) than in the poules, 5 hits
(67%). In team bouts the percentage rises to 71%, although the differences in the initial
scoreboard cannot be the same as in the individual bouts (Graph 2).
We did not prove statistically the correlation between the position of the priority draw
and the final victory.
From the 1985 analyzed actions with a hit count on the scoreboard, 536 (27%) were
double hits and 1449 (73%) were single hits.
5. Discussion
We have analyzed the importance that the first hit and being the winner of the priority
draw at the end of the set bout time have for some coaches. When considering the first
one, we must emphasize that the statistical analysis has proved that being the winner of
the first hit has a significant influence on achieving the victory at the end of the combat.
On the other hand, descriptive analysis states that when the bout is longer (15 hits instead
of 5), the correlation between winning the first hit and the final victory diminishes.
Future research should prove further if the correlation level remains in the other disci-
plines such as foil or sabre, where the double hit does not exist and it is more difficult to
keep the differences on the scoreboard.
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Book of Abstracts
Next, we have found that in the bouts in which there is a priority draw (n=12), in 75%
of the cases the fighter who won the draw lost the bout. This statement does not have a
statistical significance. Besides, there is other research, Cuomo (2003), for instance, that
contradicts our results even though the conditions of the research were simulated. The
Italian author analyzed a higher number of bouts (n=133) training bouts where priority
conditions were simulated. In his analysis he concluded that the winner of the priority
draw is usually the winner of the combat (62% for males and 58% for females).
6. Conclusions
The fact that fighters make the first hit in a bout gives them, from a statistical point of
view, an advantage as regards the final victory, although this tendency diminishes when
the bout is longer in terms of hits.
Being awarded the priority in a draw, when the time has finished and both fighters
have the same score, does not have a statistically significant advantage on achieving vic-
tory to either fencer.
Descriptive analysis proves that 27% of the hits made (n=1985) by the épée fencer are
doubles, while 73% are single.
7. References
Anguera, M.T. (Ed.) (1991, 1993). Metodología Observacional en la investigación psi-
cológica. Vols. 1,2. Barcelona: PPU.
Bressan A (1990): Fiorettisti a confronto. Rivista di Cultura Sportiva 19:10-21.
Cuomo S (2003): Il tempo e la sua gestione, effeti sulla prestazione nell’assalto di spada.
I corso nazionale di quarto livello europeo di formazione per allenatori. [ref.12-04-
2005] http://www.professionescherma.org/archivio/didattica/Il%20tempo%20e%20l
a%20sua%20gestione.pdf.
Illustrations
Victories after scoring first hit (n=305)
No
35,1%
Yes
64,9%
Graph 1: Analysis of the relationship between the first hit of the bout and the victory in the various bouts
(n=305) analyzed in the observational study
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Book of Abstracts
15 HIT BOUTS (n=69) 5 HIT BOUTS (n=187) Team Bouts(n=49)
No
33,2% No
No 28,6%
44,9%
Yes
55,1%
Yes
66,8% Yes
71,4%
Graph 2: Analysis of the relationship between the first hit of the bout and the victory according the different
form of bout.15 hits n=69), 5 hits (n=187) and team competition (n=49)
116
Variability of technical actions
in épée fencing
1
XAVIER IGLESIAS REIG, 2CÉSAR GONZÁLEZ LLORENS, 2ALBA CORTÉS CORTÉS,
2
RAFAEL TARRAGÓ GARCÍA, 3JUAN JOSÉ GARCÍA
1
2
3
Correspondence to:
xiglesias@gmail.com
Keywords:
Fencing, Observation, Technique, Épée
1. Introduction
The diverse nature of the factors that influence sporting performance and a high level of
preparation, require a high knowledge of sport methodology in order to be able to plan
all the contents of training. Several authors (Roi GS, Mognoni P 1987; Bressan 1990;
Brunetti G, De Santis D 1992; Iglesias 1997) have considered both technical and tactical
factors as the most important determinants to achieve success in fencing.
As the individual class is the most widely used method in fencing training, the devel-
opment of control methodologies is paramount for the trainer to optimize teaching.
2. Objectives
Categorize technical and tactical behaviour in a homogeneous group of epeeists.
Determine differences (if they exist) between men and women when categorizing
technical and tactical data during the competition.
Build an instrument that could help masters to control technique and tactics.
3. Methodology
3.1 Subjects
336 bouts were analysed from the whole group of fencers (n=14): 8 men and 6 women.
All of them were high-level competitive junior epeeists in Spain with a mean age of 18,4
yo (SD = 2 yo). 3233 actions were taken into consideration in 16 competitions and even-
tually classified as hits given or hits received.
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3.2 Materials
Video Cassette Recorder (Sony DCR-TRV355E); Video Cassette Player (Pershin VHS-
HQ); Television set (Sanyo); observation template (own design).
3.3. Methods
2165 hits given and 1636 hits received in 16 official competitions observed using an ad-
hoc template were analysed. The variables analysed were: performance of the hit, type of
the hit, to hit the target and footwork. Laterality and gender of the fencer, as well as the
kind of handle of the weapon were taken into consideration too.
Transversal analysis based on the observational methodology (Anguera, 1993): unit of
ideographic study; monitoring; intrasessional and one-dimensional.
The normality of the variables were measured with the Kolmogorov Smirnov test.
Reliability of the observations was measured by inter-observer agreement (Kappa coef-
ficient) in 6 randomly chosen bouts (significance of 0.01). The relationship between vari-
ables was analysed with contingency tables and the Pearson’s Chi-square test.
4. Results
All the variables included in the study followed a norm according to the Kolmogorov
Smirnov Test.
The most used technical element in the hits was the simple attack (38%) followed by
the counter-attack (31%). The riposte presented a lower percentage (16%). The distribu-
tion of the number of hits given by the epeeists according to the categorization of the ac-
tion is shown in Figure 1. The distribution of the footwork is shown in figure 2.
Statistically significant differences were not found in the total amount of hits given
according to gender, laterality of the epeeists or the handle of the épée used. On the other
hand, significant differences were found on the type of hits given by the epeeists accord-
ing to the handle and the laterality of the rival.
Actions towards the trunk when hitting predominated in men (81%) as well as in
women (84%). The action that ended on the hand or in the arm (13%) was another sig-
nificant target, whereas the other surfaces (leg, back and foot) were only used in a small
percentage of cases (1% to 3%).
Distribution of the hits given by the epeeists according to the type of the action, the
target and the footwork, showed a great similarity with the distribution observed in the
structure of the actions of the hits received.
5. Discussion
The objective and systematized analysis of the actions of the epeeists following a longi-
tudinal design could be an excellent instrument of control for both technical training and
tactical/strategic training.
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The need to validate a system of observation and analyse its reliability has been an
objective of the present paper, as well as the analysis of the technical behaviour in compe-
tition of a group of junior epeeists in order to offer a didactic instrument for teaching.
Categorization of the technical and tactical behaviour of the epeeists seems to be dif-
ferent from the rest of fencing modalities and warrants further research.
6. Conclusions
Our results are consistent with the use of observational analysis (technical and tactical) as
a support tool for fencing masters.
Statistically significant differences were not found between gender groups.
7. References
Anguera, M.T. (Ed.) (1993). Metodología Observacional en la investigación psicológica.
Vols. 1,2. Barcelona: PPU.
Brunetti and De Santis (1992): Il miglioramento delle capacità motorie dello schermitore.
Rivista di Cultura Sportiva 24(1pt):49-54.
Iglesias X (1997): Valoració funcional específica en l esgrima. Tesi Doctoral. Universitat
de Barcelona, Institut Nacional d Educació Física de Catalunya. Barcelona.
Roi and Mognoni (1987): Lo spadista modello. Rivista di Cultura Sportiva 6:50-57.
Illustrations
Type of the action of the hits given
Continuation/re
Risposte
mise Compound
16%
3% attack
6%
Corps a corps
6%
Counter-attack Simple attack

31% 38%
Figure 1: Distribution of the hits given (n=2165) by the epeeists of the sample (n=14) according to the type of
action performed
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Book of Abstracts
Footwork for hits given
Squatting
1%
Back on guard
4% Lunge
Step backward 44%
/ Open distance
29%
Step forward / Flèche

Close distance 10%
12%
Figure 2: Distribution of the hits given (n=2165) by the epeeists of the sample (n=14) according to the
footwork used.
120
Relationship between results indicators
and general and specific strength values
of the lower extremities in fencing
at competition level
1,2
XAVIER IGLESIAS, 1,2CÉSAR GONZÁLEZ, 1,2ALBA CORTÉS, 2RAFAEL TARRAGÓ,
3
XAVIER BALIUS, 1LISÍMACO VALLEJO, 1,4JUAN JOSÉ GARCÍA
1
2
3
Centre d’Alt Rendiment de Sant Cugat
4
Correspondence to:
xiglesias@gmail.com
Keywords:
Fencing, Indicators, Strength, Results, Epée
1. Introduction
The analysis of performance indicators during the season can facilitate training and give
the fencing master information regarding the elements which influence results, as shown
by Bressan (1990) in a multi-year study on elite fencers. The complexity of the factors
involved in success make the identification of true performance indicators difficult.
2. Objectives
Observe the evolution of various performance indicators over a season in a homogenous
group of fencers.
Assess the relationship in fencing between the result indicators, the general indica-
tors and the strength indicators.
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3. Methodology
3.1. Subjects
10 epeeists (5 male, 5 female) of a homogenous level, all of whom are members of cen-
tre of excellence training programme. The average age is 17.7 years old (DS=1.1 years)
and all have been medal winners in their age category in the Spanish national champion-
ships in the previous two years.
3.2. Material
Contact platform (Ergo Jump Bosco/System®); Tape measure; 2 photoelectric cell Tag
Heuer HL 2-31 telemetric HL 620 and printer CP 501; Stop watch. Casio-Accelerator
50M
3.3. Method
Three periods during a competitive fencing season were analyzed, defined by important
competitions in December, March and June.
In each period the following were analyzed:
a) Strength indicators of lower extremities:

a.1) general protocols
Squat Jump (SJ); Counter-Movement Jump (CMJ); Abalakov (ABK); hori-
zontal jump (SH):
a.2) specific protocols
3x5m test (T3/5) (Iglesias, 1997); 10 m step forward (10Mx); 10 m step
back (10Tr); 20 m step forward/back (20TM)
b) Results indicators
A total of 1,025 bouts and 12,706 hits in 23 competitions were analyzed.
Index of relative victories (Iv) in each period (Iv= victories/Bouts fenced)
Index of absolute victories (Ip) in each period (Ip=Victories/possible nº of bouts
in the competition
Index of hits (It) in each period (It= Hits given/ hits received
3.4. Statistical Analysis

Normality (Shapiro-Wilk test; significance of 0.05); homogeneity of variances (Levene
statistic; significance of 0.05); differences in the periods (Anova of one factor); preci-
sion of the differences in the periods (Tuckey post hoc HSD test); lineal relationship
between variables (Pearson correlation coefficient; 0.01 i 0.05).
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4. Results
Normality was shown in the data(Shapiro-Wilk test). The homogeneity of the variances
was confirmed (Levene statistic). No differences, intergroups or intragroups are found
in the different analysis periods in each variable (Anova of one factor) apart from the
10m step forward and back test. The Tuckey post hoc HSD test showed that significant
differences existed (0.05) between the periods 1 and 3 of the 10m step forward test and
between periods 2 and 3 in the 10 step back test.
The results of the general and specific strength assessments in the three periods are
shown in table 1. The results indicators are shown in table 2.
In the joint assessment or the values in the three periods, the variables of general
strength show a significant correlation with those of specific strength apart from the SJ
values which only correlate with the 10 step forward (0.05).
The 3 results indicators (Iv,Ip,It) show very high correlations (0.01) between all
three
(Iv-Ip, R= 0.946; Iv-It, R=0.757; Ip-It, R=0.771)
The results indicators show no significant correlation with the strength values.
5. Discussion
The strength tests, both general and specific with the highest levels of correlation were
ABK and T3x5. Both tests are those which require the highest level of coordination
in their execution. More studies are needed with a higher sample in order to be able to
recommend its use as principal indicators of signs of general and specific strength.
In the sample their was a tendency to present higher values in the first period. The
sample population was taken from under 17 and under 20 fencers and one of their main
objectives(national under 20 championships) occurred during that period. In addition,
the bulk of physical conditioning took place in the pre-season and as the season went on
the task became increasingly specific.
More studies are needed in order to ratify possible relationships of these indicators
with the performance of competition fencers.
6. Conclusions
• No significant differences were found in the observed indicators during the three
periods of competition of the trial.
• The use of indicators for general and specific strength as well as result indicators
may be of use to the coach as a means of control in training.
• No significant relationship was found between the result indicators and the strength
indicators, both general and specific.
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7. References
Iglesias X, Rodríguez FA. Perfil funcional del esgrimista de alto rendimiento. Revista
de Investigación y Documentación sobre las Ciencias de la Educación Física y del
Deporte 1991; 18: 37-52.
Iglesias X (1997): Valoració funcional específica en l esgrima. Tesi Doctoral. Universitat
de Barcelona, Institut Nacional d Educació Física de Catalunya. Barcelona.
Roi GS, Mognoni P (1987): Lo spadista modello. Rivista di Cultura Sportiva 6:50-57.
Illustrations
Table 1. Descriptive values in the strength indicators during the three competition periods
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Table 2. Descriptive values in the results indicators during the three competition periods
125
Effects of general vision training on the
performances of elite sabre fencers
JEAN-FRANÇOIS STEIN
Laboratoire Mouvement, Action & Performance,
Institut National du Sport et de l’Education Physique (France)
Correspondence to:
jean-francois.stein@insep.fr
Keywords:
Vision, Training, Elite, Sabre, Convergence, Attention, Transfer
Given the importance placed on the evaluation and training of visual abilities in sports,
the purpose of this study was to verify the effectiveness of a general central vision training
programme to improve the visual and motor performance of elite athletes with “normal”
visual performances.
Half of the sabre fencers from the I.N.S.E.P France Group (experimental group)
benefited from general central vision training which included training exercises on ac-
commodation, convergence and divergence, ocular mobilization and visuomanual coor-
dination.
The programme lasted 8 weeks with 4 20-minute sessions per week integrated into
the normal technical training sessions scheduled by the coaches. These sessions were
also attended by the other half of the Group’s sabre fencers - the control group.
During the course of the programme, accommodative flexibility increased, fusional
ability improved and hand-eye coordination was refined. The 2 groups underwent a visual
check-up before and after the experimental group’s vision training.
All of the significant results concern convergence: the competitors who benefited
from general vision training have a greater blend zone to save a simple, clear-cut image
of a moving object (the opponent, target or weapon) which is approaching them. This
accommodative flexibility in convergence involves accommodation and convergence, but
also the mobilization of spatial attention in depth.
The transfer of the improvement in visual performance to motor performance was
studied using a simulator: the ARVIMEX (a device that measures reaction time). The
results show a significant reduction in the average time the experimental group competi-
tors needed to initiate their movements (RT). General central vision training improved
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Book of Abstracts
motor performance, regardless of whether precueing was presented in central or periph-

eral vision and whether the movement was towards an anticipated target (initial attention
orientation) or towards an unexpected target (attention reorientation).
On the other hand, general vision training, particularly visuomotor coordination ex-
ercises do not seem to have significantly improved the motor aspect of the movement
(MT).
This approach could be implemented to train athletes as part of or in addition to sched-
uled training sessions, for physically fatigued athletes or injured athletes.
127
Anthropometric profile of the top
performance fencer
JUAN JOSÉ RAMOS; Mª JESÚS DEL CASTILLO; Mª LUISA RAMÓN;
JOSÉ LUIS SEGURA; ASUNCIÓN BOSCH
Centro de Medicina Deportiva de la Comunidad de Madrid (España)
Correspondence to:
jjramosa@med.ucm.es
Keywords:
Anthropometrics, Fencing , Somatotype
Anthropometric profile of the top performance fencer
Introduction
The object of our work is to conduct an anthropometrical study of the top performance
fencers in the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid in order to understand if specific morpho-
logical qualities are required for the practice of fencing.
Material and Methodology

We conducted an anthropometrical research study to all fencers sponsored by the Comu-
nidad Autónoma de Madrid in 2006. The total number was 26 (20 male: 6 sword, 7 rapier,
7 sabre; 6 female: 1 sword, 1 rapier, 4 sabre). The average age was 17.3 ± 1.38 year (male)
and 19.8 ± 2.58 year (female). The average height was 174.4 maximal calf ± 0.66 cm.
(male) and 162 ± 0.065 cm. (female). The average weight was 74.2 ± 11.58 Kg. (male)
and 55.28 ± 3,87 Kg. (female).
The measurements conducted were: weight, height, skinfolds (triceps, subscapular,
suprailiac, abdominal, front thigh and medial calf), diameters (bistyloid wrist, bicondylar
humerus and bicondylar femur) and circumferences (maximal upper arm and maximal
calf).
We looked at the body composition and obtained the body mass index (Quetelet in-
dex) (BMI), the wideness, the fat percentage following the Faulkner equation, the muscle
percentage following the Matiegka formulae and the somatotype according to the Heath-
Carter method.
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All the measurements were taken by one single Sports Medicine specialist (Medicina
de la Educación Física y el Deporte), following the rules of the International Society
for the Advancement of Kineanthropometry (ISAK) and the Spanish Kineanthropometry
Group (GREC).
Results
The tables 1 and 2 below show the mean and the standard deviation of the output data,
broken down by sex.
The prevalent somatotypes in the male population are: endomorphic, ecto-meso-
morphic, and balanced mesomorphic; conversely, in the female population there is not a
prevalent somatotype.
There are no significant differences in the anthropometrical parameters among the
different modalities in fencing (sword, rapier and sabre) (p >0,05).

The results obtained match both the reviewed biomedical literature (X. Iglesias i Reig,
1997; Morales, Lavaut, Lam, & Sánchez, 2007) and our previous research (Del Castillo
Campos et al., 2000).
When studying the somatotype, we did observe that the dominant component in fenc-
ers is mesomorphic across its different subtypes. There is no significant variation in these
subtypes and there is no predominance of any of the remaining components; the latter
observation represents a difference with the Iglesias i Reig study, which observes that
some somatotypes are predominant depending on the modality of fencing (X. Iglesias i
Reig, 1997).
The percentages of muscle and fat are in range with those obtained for other Madrid
based top performance sports men and women that practice other disciplines (Del Castillo
Campos et al., 2000).
The remarkable variability of data obtained takes us to conclude that there is not a
predetermined or preferred somatotype for the practice of fencing. The anthropometrical
characteristics resemble those obtained for other sports, which are different to those of the
non sporting population (Del Castillo Campos et al., 2000).
References
Del Castillo Campos, M. J., Lara Hernández, M. T., Ramos Álvarez, J. J., Martínez de
Haro, V., Segovia Martínez, J. C., & López-Silvarrey Varela, F. (2000). Estudio com-
parativo entre el perfil antropométrico del varón adolescente deportista de élite y el
del no deportista. Madrid: II Congreso Internacional de FEDAMEFIDE. Selección 9
(2): 66-68.
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Iglesias i Reig, X. (1997). Valoració funcional específica en lésgrima. Universidad de

Barcelona (Tesis Doctoral)
Morales, C. A., Lavaut, K., Lam, R., & Sánchez, J. (2007). Efecto del entrenamiento de-
portivo sobre medidas antropológicas en deportistas jóvenes. Rev Int Med Cienc Act
Fis Deporte, 25, 1-8.
Table 1. Body composition
Height Weight Wideness

BMI % fat % muscular
(cm.) (Kg.) (cm.)
Male 175 ± 6,0 71,7 ± 10,5 Norm-weight 181,1 ± 8,3 12,2 ± 3.04 47,4 ± 1,87
Female 1,62 ± 5,8 56,4 ± 4,41 Norm-weight 157,1 ± 8,8 14,33 ± 3,08 49,11 ± 2,28
Table 2. Somatotype
Endo-
Meso- Ecto-morphic-
Ecto-morphic Meso-endo- Endo-meso- Meso-ecto- Ecto-mesomorphic-
morphic Meso- Central
balanced morphic morphic morphic morphic Meso-
balanced morphico
morphic
Male 4 1 0 6 1 5 2 1 0
Female 0 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 1
130
Tensiomiographic analysis of short-
term muscular fatigue induced
by specific training in fencing
DANIEL MORENO1, ROBERT USACH1, ALBERT BUSQUETS1, ADOLFO BENITEZ1,
MARTA CARRASCO2, ALFRED IRURTIA1, MICHEL MARINA1, JOSEP MARIA PADULLÉS1,
RAFAEL TARRAGÓ3, LISÍMACO VALLEJO1, XAVIER IGLESIAS1
1
Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya –INEFC- (Universitat de Barcelona)
2
Diplomada en Nutrició
3
Correspondence to:
dani.moreno@inefc.net
Keywords:
Tensiomiography, Intermittent, Activity, Functional, Testing
Introduction
The task of testing and interpreting the physiological requirements and the effects of mus-
cular fatigue in situation sports is an extremely complex one. In the present study we used
a new method for testing muscular fatigue known as tensiomiography (TMG), which con-
sists of the transversal measurement of muscle belly displacement reacting to a signal of
determined duration (1ms) and variable intensity. Dahmane (1) y Valen i (3) accord that
when a muscle is contracting its belly gets higher, permitting its measurement. Moreno
y Usach (2) studied modifications produced by short-term fatigue in the vastus medialis
muscle measured with TMG. Using this method they detected differences between the
trained leg and the control one.

Subjects
Twenty-six fencers took part in the study ( =15, =11), thirteen epée fencers ( =7, =6),
seven sabre fencers ( =4, =3) and six foil fencers ( =4, =2). The average age in our sam-
ple was 14.9 (± 0.8); five U17 fencers and twenty-one U15 fencers.
131
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Material
We used a tensiomiograph GK40 (Panoptik, Slovenia), supported by a 117B tripod (Man-
frotto, Italia). The electrical simulator connected to the tensiomiograph was a TMG-S1
(EMF- Furlan & Co., Slovenia), and we used surface electrodes of 5x5 cms (Compex,
Switzerland). All of the equipment was operated by a PC with the Matlab TMG software
(TMG, Slovenia). This program allows data such as maximal transversal displacement
(DM), measured with a precision of 1x10-6mm; contraction time (TC) from relax to DM
(ms); and contraction speed VC (mm/ms) to be obtained.
Method
Fencers performed a specific training routine consisting of 45 min of fencing movements:
5 min warm-up, 10 min specific control testing, 10 min stretching, 20 min of combina-
tions of fencing movements (12 bouts [30 sec work, 15 sec rest, 30 sec work], 30 sec rest
between bouts).
The TMG analysis was performed before and after training, with the purpose of ob-
taining DM, TC and VC.
Two incremental tests were performed until the maximum peak was found in both
vastus medialis. Both measurements were placed in the centre of measure on the surface
of the muscle (placed on the maximum transversal displacement during voluntary con-
traction). The electrodes were situated 5 cms from this point in the extended leg. Meas-
urements were taken with fixed leg (40º flexion), starting with an intensity corresponding
to 50mA and consecutive increments of 10 mA.
Statistical analysis
SPSS 14.0 software for Windows was used. Repeated measurement analysis of variants
was performed in the following variables: DM, VC and TC. We chose as factors for the
model: category, gender, modality and laterality (anterior or posterior).
Results
Comparisons are shown in table 1. We found significant differences in DM (p<,05) and
highly significant in VC (p<,01), between previous and posterior tests. The category fac-
tor showed no significant difference. We found differences in gender. Contrast bilateral
analysis revealed a significant decrement of DM in females. We observed differences in
TC values although contrasts did not show these differences in pre-post analysis but they
were due to differences between genders (males and females). Pre-post analysis with the
leg factor revealed no differences as in comparisons with the modality factor. Post-hoc
analysis showed high significant differences between epée fencers and foil fencers in VC
(p<,01) and significant in DM (p<,05).
132
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Discussion
Pre-post analysis with the category factor showed no differences between groups, al-
though we observed differences on the t-test in DM and VC. This suggests that age effects
both Dm and VC. This is coherent if we think of the differences in young people with
continuous structural changes. Modality seemed without effect a priori, though post-hoc
analysis revealed differences between epée and foil fencers, the former obtaining less
displacement (p<,05) but were faster (p<,01). This is probably due to less flexion but with
the same power in the epée fencers group. Muscular contraction capacity is diminished
due to the effect of fatigue lower recruitment capacity-, not significant in males and
highly significant in females. So we have to understand that for the same work, fatigue
effects females much more than males, suggesting the possibility of different training
sessions in function of gender type for better adaptation to work.
We observed a high decrement in VC due to training. That point is remarkable because
we can conclude that fatigue influences VC and then movement speed. Although coordi-
native components seem to be independent they are probably affected too. The stability in
TC values suggests (with the decrement in DM) that fencers with low TC and high DM
can maintain good values when fatigue starts to appear.
Conclusions
Specific training session diminished muscle contractile capacity, in number of recruited
fibres as much as contraction speed. Laterality not seems to have different affectation
depending of leg. Category affects to the different variables, while modality seems to
establish differences between epée and foil fencers.
References
1. Dahmane R, Valen i V, Knez N, and Eržen I. Evaluation of the ability to make non-
invasive estimation of muscle contractile properties on the basis of the muscle belly
response. Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing 2000 (39):51-55.
2. Moreno D, Usach R. Use of tensiomyography to detect short-term muscular fatigue.
Proceedings of the Tadar 2007 Congress; 16-17 Nov 2007; Madrid, Spain.
3. Valen i V, Knez N, and Šimuni B. Tensiomyography: Detection of Skeletal Muscle
Response by Means of Radial Muscle Belly Displacement. Biomedical Engineering
2001 (1):1-10.
133
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DM TC VC
Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post
6,91 5,90 17,56 17,86 0,39 0,33
M-15
1,40 1,60 2,15 2,81 0,07 0,07
CATEGORY
7,41 6,80 18,94 18,73 0,40 0,36
M-17
1,69 1,91 4,09 3,15 0,08 0,07
7,15 6,60 17,92 18,84 0,40 0,35
1,62 1,75 2,39 2,98 0,07 0,07
GENDER
6,80** 5,34** 17,70 16,92 0,39 0,32
1,21 1,29 3,01 2,34 0,06 0,07
7,13 6,08 18,39 18,00 0,39 0,34
ANTERIOR
1,47 1,75 2,62 3,28 0,08 0,06
LATERALITY
6,88 6,06 17,26 18,06 0,40 0,34
1,46 1,64 2,59 2,45 0,06 0,08
6,61 5,50 17,27 17,41 0,38 0,32
EPÉE
1,37 1,25 1,95 2,28 0,06 0,06
7,06 6,62 18,99 19,46 0,37 0,34
MODALITY SABRE
1,64 1,97 3,58 3,63 0,07 0,07
7,82 6,55 17,66 17,42 0,44 0,37
FOIL
1,04 1,80 2,19 2,40 0,05 0,07
7,00* 6,07* 17,82 18,03 0,39** 0,34**
TOTAL
1,46 1,68 2,64 2,87 0,07 0,07
Table 1. Average and standard deviation (cursive). *p<,05; **p<,01
134
Book of Abstracts
Illustrations
Figure 1. Maximum distance (DM) and contraction speed (VC).
Figure 2. Differences in DM between male and female groups in PRE and POST tests.
135
Nutritional status and dietetic proposes
in young fencers
MARTA CARRASCO1, ALFREDO IRURTIA2, VICTÒRIA PONS3, XAVIER IGLESIAS2,
EULÀLIA VIDAL4, DANIEL BROTONS5
1
Graduate in Nutrition and Human Dietetics.
2
Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC). Universitat de Barcelona
(España)
3
Centre d’Alt Rendiment (CAR). Sant Cugat del Vallés (España)
4
Escola Universitària d’Infermeria, Fisioteràpia i Nutrició Blanquerna (EUIFN).
Barcelona (España)
5
Centre d’Estudis d’Alt Rendiment Esportiu (CEARE). Barcelona (España)
Correspondence to:
marta.carrasco@wanadoo.es
Keywords:
Fencing, Nutrition, Body Composition, Somatotype, Adolescence
Introduction
Fencing is a sport with an aerobic requirement of a relative intensity close to 70% of
the VO2max (Lavoie et al., 1988; Iglesias, 1997). The young fencers need to cover all the
nutritional demands to grow up, optimize their sport performance and maintain a state of
healthy life in agreement with educational and ethic principles that will last beyond the
sport. The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional habits of young fencers to
propose the best nutritional guidelines for each one of them.

We recruited 19 male (14.8±0.9 years) and 11 female (14.2±3.3 years) fencers. All of
them were national medalists. Their weekly training volume was 15 hours. Subjects and
parents were previously informed about the rules of this study and a written consent was
signed by everyone before starting the procedures. Anthropometric assessment followed
the norms adopted by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropom-
etry (ISAK). Anthropometric somatotypes were rated according to Heath-Carter (Carter,
1975). Body fat mass (Withers et al., 1987a,b), muscle mass (Lee et al., 2000), and fat
free mass were estimated. A 24h register dietary recall was done during 3 days: 2 work-
136
Book of Abstracts
ing days and 1 Sunday (Mataix, 2002). Nutritional analysis was performed by CESNID
1.0® software (McGraw-Hill, 2003), and compared with the recommended daily allow-
ance (RDA), in sports (Pujol-Amat, 2002; González-Gallego et al., 2006), and Span-
ish population (Moreiras et al., 2002; Serra Majem et al., 1995). Fencers energy intake
was compared with their estimated energetic requirements, calculated by Harris-Benedict
(1919) formula (low activity factor: 1.3), adding the energetic cost adjusted in fencing
(Ainsworth et al., 2000). Basic descriptive statistics were computed separately for both
gender groups. In order to compare differences between a) gender groups (independent t-
test) and b) working days vs. Sunday (dependent t-test), parametric comparative statistics
tests were used. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05.
Results
The anthropometric characteristics (Table 1) and nutritional status with RDA (Table 2 &
Table 3) of male and female fencers are summarized in the correspondent tables. The en-
ergy intake in female fencers were significantly larger in lipids (p<0.05) and lower in fiber
and iron (p≤0.001). In both gender groups, no significant differences were found between
working days and Sundays (p>0.05). Lipids (33.1±3.2 males; 37.1±4.8 females) and pro-
teins (18.2±3.2 males; 17.6±2.7 females) registered percentage values over the RDA.
Carbohydrate percentage values were lower (48.7±4.7 males; 45.2±3.8 females) than
RDA. Female fencers registered iron values (12.6±2.1 mg) and fiber values of (19.1±4.6 g)
lower than RDA. Calcium was lower too in both genders (871.2±181 males; 846.1±216
females).

The importance of nutrition in elite sport is an observed fact. However, in the adolescent
previous phases of training, is not fully implemented. An actual society’s challenge is to
introduce the educational nutrition habits in these age groups, even to start creating the
habits and attitudes that will form the basis of future eating behavior in adult age. Firstly,
in order to correct certain eating habits in these young fencers, we proposed a balanced
diet in accordance to the general recommendations. Secondly, we developed a weekly
menu with the following features: a) concordance with daily caloric expenditure (kcal/d);
b) accordance to macronutrients (carbohydrates: 6 g/kg/d; lipids: 25-30%; proteins: 1,2-
1,8 g/kg/d); c) minimum fiber intake (30 g/d). The great majority of the young fencers
recorded unsuitable eating habits nor to maintain a healthy state life nor to practice sports.
It is necessary to correct these habits on the basis of a proper education and nutrition
assessment, in order to optimize their sport performances. The kinanthropometric as-
sessment confirms these results, particularly in the female group, with larges percentages
of body fat and balanced endomorph somatotype, very far from biotype of elite fencer’s
champions.
137
Book of Abstracts
References
1. Gonzalez-Gallego J, Sanchez P, Mataix J. Nutrición en el deporte. Ayudas ergogénicas
y dopaje. Madrid: Diaz de Santos; 2006.
2. Iglesias X. Valoració funcional especifica en l’esgrima. Doctoral dissertation. Institut
Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya, Universitat de Barcelona, 1997.
3. Moreiras O, Carbajal A, Cabrera L, Cuadrado C. Ingestas recomendadas de energía
y nutrientes (Revised 2002). Tablas de composición de alimentos. Madrid: Ediciones
Pirámide; 2004. p.127-131.
Table 1: Anthropometric characteristics of young male and female fencers.
Age Height Weight BMI ∑ 6 skinfolds (mm ) FM MM FFM

Endo. Meso. Ecto.
(years) (cm) (kg) (kg/m2) Upper Middle Lower Total (%) (%) (kg)
Mean 14.8 171.5 60.9 20.8 3.5 3.3 3.5 18.4 19.9 26.7 65.0 10.9 46.5 54.1
Males (n=19)
SD 0.9 7.6 9.6 2.6 1.4 1.2 1.2 5.4 8.7 7.9 7.3 3.9 1.9 7.2
Mean 14.2 162.9 57.7 21.5 5.8 2.9 2.7 28.6 28.0 43.0 99.6 23.5 48.1 45.9
Females (n=11)
SD 3.3 5.5 7.6 2.1 1.0 1.1 0,9 4.6 4.9 11.0 6.8 4.5 2.2 2.0
BMI: body mass index; ∑ 6 skinfolds: upper (triceps and subscapular), middle (abdominal and supraspinale), and
lower (front thigh and medial calf); FM: fat body mass; MM: muscle body mass; FFM: fat free body mass.
Table 2: Nutritional intakes of young male and female fencers and non-balanced percentage (RDA).
CH Proteins Lipids Saturated Fat Cholesterol

Fencing
(g/kg/d) (g/kg/d) (%) (%) (mg/d)
Males 5.0±1.5 1.8±0.4 33.1±6.8 13.3±3.1 425.9±187.6
Females 4.5±1.6 1.7±0.5 37.1±3.8 15.6±2.3 427.3±145.0
RDA 6 1.2-1.8 < 30 < 10 < 300
Non-balanced 73.7% 78.9% 78.9% 89.5% 73.7%
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Book of Abstracts
Table 3: Nutritional intakes of young male and female fencers and non-balanced percentage (RDA).
H2O
Total Dietetic Zinc
into diet Calcium Iron Magnesium
Fencing Energy Fiber
(g/1000 (mg/d) (mg/d) (mg/d)
(kcal/d) (g/d) (mg/d)
kcal)
Males 2400±400 676.5±73.7 28.3±8.9 871.2±153.4 15.5±4.5 355.7±86.4 10.6±2.4
Females 2100±200 638.7±28.2 19.1±6.4 846.0±316.5 12.6±3.5 294.3±84.0 9.6±2.2
RDA (males/
2519 / 2233 1000 ≥ 30 ≥ 1000 15 / 18 ≥ 400 / ≥ 330 ≥ 15
females)
Non-balanced 84.2% 100% 52.6% 73.7% 68.4% 63.2% 100%
139
A preliminary study of trunk flexion
and extension strength characteristics
in high-level fencers of the autonomous
comunity of madrid
1,3
Mª ASUNCIÓN BOSCH, 2,3Mª PÍA SPOTTORNO, 1,4JUAN JOSÉ RAMOS,
5
Mª JESÚS DEL CASTILLO
1
Centro Medicina Deportiva CA Madrid
2
Hospital La Princesa
3
Universidad Alcalá de Henares
4
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
5
Centro de Medicina Deportiva Comunidad de Madrid
Correspondence to:
asunbosch@yahoo.es
Keywords:
Fencing, Isokinetic, Measurements, Trunk, Flexion, Extension, Strength
Introduction
The isokinetic trunk flexion and extension strength test is a very useful tool for the diag-
nostic, treatment and rehabilitation of back injuries.
The association between specific fencers training, low back extensor (erector spinae
and multifidus muscles), psoas and abdominal muscles and strength characteristics of
trunk extension and flexion were studied in high level fencers of the Autonomous Com-
munity of Madrid.
Methods and material

In this preliminary study, eight elite fencers, 5 female and 3 male, between 19 to 23 years
old (mean 20´8) were tested for concentric trunk flexion and extension muscle strength.
There was no control group. All the subjects signed a consent form.
All the fencers have similar training characteristics: more than 5 years practicing fenc-
ing, training 1-3 hours per day, 5 or 6 days per week.
None of them have had any abdominal or low back pain at least one year before the
test. Any abdominal or back surgery was found in their medical history.
140
Book of Abstracts
Maximal trunk extension and flexion forces were measured in two positions (semi-
standing and seated-compressed positions) using an electromagnetic dynamometer. (Fig-
ure 1. Semi-Standing Position; Figure 2. Seated-Compressed Position)
A Biodex System 3 dynamometer with the specific back attachment (Dual Position
Back Ex/Flex) was used.
Subjects warmed up for 20 minutes before putting on the back attachment. Ex-
ercises included 10 minutes cycling in a cycle ergometer and 10 minutes stretching
specific muscles.
The strength was tested at 60º per second (5 repetitions), 90º per second (5 repeti-
tions), 120º per second (5 repetitions) and 180º per second (10 repetitions) in each posi-
tion of the back attachment, with 60 seconds rest period between series and 30 minutes
rest period between positions. The range of motion studied was 90º (10-100º) in each
position. Warm-up repetitions were performed before all tests repetitions. During testing
the doctor gave a standard encouragement to each subject.
Results
Trunk motions (flexion/extension) and testing speeds (60º, 90º, 120º and 180º/s) were
analyzed separately for peak torque, total work and average power.
The data were analysed by using SPSS statistical software (version 14.0).
Results evidenced no significant differences for peak torque, total work and average
power between seated-compressed and semi-standing positions (p> 0.05). Differences
have been found between males and females in all the studied parameters. It is more diffi-
cult to study the curve morphology than in other joints (eg. knee) due to its less stability.
Conclusions
It’s necessary to continue studying our sport population in order to achieve our own da-
tabase so we can accomplish accurate follow ups not based in bibliographic search and
analysis of different populations.
The isokinetic test is a useful tool for measuring trunk flexion and extension strength
in high-level fencers.
To prevent possible wall abdominal injuries or low back pain, specific strength train-
ing and stretching has to be incorporated in the basis fencing training program.
These data may be useful as reference in rehabilitation of patients with low back pain
whether they practice sports or not.
141
Book of Abstracts
References
Physiological and morphological characteristics of world class fencers. Nystrom J,
Lindwall O, Ceci R, Harmenberg J, Svedenhag J, Ekblom B. Int J Sports Med. 1990
Apr;11(2):136-9.
Musculoskeletal performance testing and profiling of elite competitive fencers. Sapega
AA, Minkoff J, Valsamis M, Nicholas JA. Clin Sports Med. 1984 Jan;3(1):231-44.
Isokinetics. Muscle testing, Interpretation and Clinical Applications. Zeevi Dvir. Ed.
Churchill Livingstone. 2nd Edition 2004.
Illustrations
SEM I – STAND I NG
POSI TI ON
Fig 1. Semi- Standing Position
S E A TE D- C OM P R E SS E D P OSI T IO N
Fig. 2. Seated-compressed Position
142
Study of upper limbs strength in fencers
1,3
Mª ASUNCIÓN BOSCH, 2,3Mª PÍA SPOTTORNO, 1,4JUAN JOSÉ RAMOS,
5Mª JESÚS DEL CASTILLO, 5SONSOLES DUQUE
1
Centro Medicina Deportiva CA Madrid (España)
2
Hospital La Princesa (España)
3
Universidad Alcalá de Henares (España)
4
Universidad Complutense de Madrid (España)
5
Centro de Medicina Deportiva Comunidad de Madrid (España)
Correspondence to:
asunbosch@yahoo.es
Keywords:
Fencing, Isokinetic, Elbow, Strength, Injuries
Introduction
The assessment of muscular strength in upper limbs is basic to improve the performance
of the dominant extremity and the strength balance in the non-dominant extremity, under-
standing dominant arm as the one who holds the weapon.
Since the elbow flexion and extension are parts of the sport gesture in fencing, the aim
of this study is to determinate whether bilateral differences exist in concentric elbow flexion
and extension strength in high-level fencers in the Autonomous Community of Madrid.
Methods and material

Twenty eight high-level fencers, 22 male and 6 male, between 15 to 22 years old (mean
18’9) were bilaterally tested for concentric elbow flexion and extension muscle strength.
All the subjects signed a consent form. There was no control population group.
All the fencers were asked about their medical history and none of them have had any
upper limbs injuries at least one year before the test or any surgery.
Before the test the fencers warmed up for 10 minutes (5 minutes cycling in cycle er-
gometer and 5 minutes specific exercises with upper limbs).
After the warm up, maximal bilaterally elbow extension and flexion forces were meas-
ured using an electromagnetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 with the specific elbow at-
tachment. (Figures 1 and 2)
The strength was tested at 60º per second (5 repetitions) and 120º per second (10
repetitions), with 60 seconds rest period between series and 5 minutes rest period be-
143
Book of Abstracts
tween dominant and non-dominant elbow. The range of motion studied was 90º (10-
100º). Warm-up repetitions were performed before all tests repetitions. During testing the
doctor gave a standard encouragement to each subject.
Results
All the data were analysed by using SPSS statistical software (version 14.0).
Statistical differences have been found between males and females in all the studied
parameters.
Results evidenced statistical significant differences in peak torque and average power
in flexion between dominant and non-dominant elbow but there was no significant differ-
ences in extension and agonist-antagonist ratio (p>0´05).
Conclusions
The isokinetic test might be a useful tool for measuring elbow strength at the moment of
planning and control trainings, even in not specific strength sports as fencing.
Due to our findings strength training has to be done individually considering balance
between dominant and non-dominant extremity.
These data may be useful as reference in rehabilitation of patients with upper extrem-
ity injuries whether they practice sports or not.
References
Physiological and morphological characteristics of world class fencers. Nystrom J,
Lindwall O, Ceci R, Harmenberg J, Svedenhag J, Ekblom B. Int J Sports Med. 1990
Apr;11(2):136-9.
Musculoskeletal performance testing and profiling of elite competitive fencers. Sapega
AA, Minkoff J, Valsamis M, Nicholas JA. Clin Sports Med. 1984 Jan;3(1):231-44.
Isokinetics. Muscle testing, Interpretationand Clinical Applications. Zeevi Dvir. Ed.
Churchill Livingstone. 2nd Edition 2004.
144
Book of Abstracts
Illustrations
Figure 1
Figure 2
145
Wheelchair fencing: injuries
and prevention
1
MARÍA ASUNCIÓN BOSCH, 2MARÍA PÍA SPOTTORNO
1
Centro Medicina Deportiva Comunidad Madrid; Universidad Alcalá de Henares (España)
2
Hospital La princesa (Madrid); Universidad Alcalá de Henares (España)
Correspondence to:
asuncion.bosch@uah.es
Keywords:
Wheelchair, Fencing, Injuries, Disabled, Sport
Introduction
Through the years, the number of disabled athletes who play high level sports has in-
creased. Even though the term Paralimpic games was approved by the International Ol-
ympic Committee in 1984, the first Olympic participation of disabled athletes was in
Rome in 1960. Here begins the journey of wheelchair fencing. (Fig. 1 and 2)
The increase participation of disabled sportsmen demands of sport medicine profes-
sionals able to face medical problems and specific sport injuries usual in this population.
This is why we want to study in detail the incidence, treatment and prevention of
medical complications and sport injuries in this group since they can influence their con-
dition forcing a temporal or definitive withdrawal of sport.
The aim of this communication is to achieve information about common medical prob-
lems and sport injuries prevalence and incidence in wheelchair fencing and to carry out a
comparative study between the most frequent injuries in fencing versus wheelchair fencing.
Material y métodos
Bibliographic review:
• Books and scientific reviews from different institutions: Consejo Superior de De-
portes, facultades de Medicina de Universidad de Alcalá y Complutense de Madrid,
hospital de San Rafael, hospital Universitario La Princesa de Madrid y Hospital
Nacional de Parapléjicos de Toledo.
• Electronic database: MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, PEDro, Sport Discus, Co-
chrane Library.
146
Book of Abstracts
• Electronic Review directory: Ovid, Proquest, Science Direct, BMJ, Springer, Black-
well, Hinari.
Search strategy:
• Keywords: Wheelchair fencing, sport injuries, fencing,
Results and discusion

There were no references in the literature about injury incidence or prevalence in wheel-
chair fencing. References found about disabled sports show no difference between inci-
dence and type of injury whether appear in sportsmen or disabled sportsmen.
Most of these injuries are in soft tissues (sprains, erosions, skin abrasion, etc.). There
is very low incidence of fractures or dislocation since this is a low injury risk sport mo-
dality.
The more frequent type of injuries in fencing are sprains and muscle tears, contu-
sions and lacerations, corporal heatstroke, tendinitis. Studied series show higher injury
incidence in lower extremities and upper extremity that holds the weapon. Majority of
injuries are minor, not interfering with competition.
Conclusion
There was no reference in literature about Spanish wheelchair fencers.
It’s necessary to continue studying our sport population in order to achieve our own
database so we can accomplish accurate follow ups not based in bibliographic search and
analysis of different populations.
Since there is no bibliographic data about incidence and prevalence in wheelchair
fencers we must learn about injuries and pathology in fencers and disabled sportsmen to
prevent and react, in case of need, to assure training sessions and competitions.
References
1. Klenck, C. and K. Gebke, Practical management: common medical problems in disa-
bled athletes. Clin J Sport Med, 2007. 17(1): p. 55-60.
2. Ferrara, M.S. and C.L. Peterson, Injuries to athletes with disabilities: identifying injury
patterns. Sports Med, 2000. 30(2): p. 137-43.
3. Carter C, Heil J, Zemper E, What hurts and why: data from the 1992 USFA fencing
injury survey. American fencing, 1993. 43(3):16-17.
147
Book of Abstracts
Illustrations
Figure 1
Figure 2
148
Anthropometric profile and limb
asymmetries in spanish junior elite
male and female fencers
ALFREDO IRURTIA1, VICTÒRIA PONS2, MARTA CARRASCO3, XAVIER IGLESIAS1,
JORDI PORTA1, FERRAN A. RODRÍGUEZ1
1
Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC). Universitat de Barcelona (España)
2
Centre d’Alt Rendiment (CAR). Sant Cugat del Vallés, Spain.
3
Correspondence to:
airurtia@gencat.cat
Keywords:
Fencing, Anthropometry, Body Composition, Somatotype
Introduction
Anthropometric assessment is an important tool to characterize the functional and bio-
mechanical profile of fencers. However, information about their somatic characteristics is
scarce, with only one study referring to Spanish fencers (Iglesias, 1997). The aims of the
present study were: a) to characterize the anthropometric profile and limb asymmetries
of a group of Spanish junior elite fencers; and b) to compare those traits with Spanish
population reference norms and with previous literature on fencers.

We recruited 16 male (18.7±1.5 years) and 7 female epée fencers (18.1±1.0 years), all
selected to train in a high performance national sports center (CAR Sant Cugat del Val-
lés). All of them were national medalists and had previous experience in international
competitions. Their weekly training volume was 20 hours.
Anthropometric assessment followed the norms adopted by the International Society
for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). In order to assess morphologic asym-
metries, girths and skinfolds of arms and legs were obtained from both sides. Anthropo-
metric somatotypes were rated according to Heath-Carter (Carter, 1975). The somatotype
attitudinal mean (SAM) was calculated to check homogeneity in both groups (Carter,
1997) and rated as follows: high (SAM≥1.0), moderate (0.80-0.99), and low dispersion
149
Book of Abstracts
(≤0.79). Body fat mass (Withers et al., 1987a,b), muscle mass (Lee et al., 2000), muscle
cross-sectional areas of arms and thighs (Gurney & Jelliffe, 1973), and fat free mass were
estimated. A comparative analysis with the Spanish reference population (Serra-Majem
et al., 2003; Sobradillo et al., 2004) was performed. Basic descriptive statistics were com-
puted separately for both gender groups. In order to compare differences between armed
vs. non armed body sides, as well as fencers vs. Spanish reference population, a non-para-
metric Mann-Whitney test was used. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05.
Results
The anthropometric characteristics of male and female fencers are summarized in Table
1. Fencers were significantly taller than the Spanish reference population (p=0.0001), and
male fencers, but not females were significantly lighter (p=0.01). Comparing armed vs.
non armed body sides, male fencers showed significantly larger forearm (p=0.001) and
thigh (p=0.01) girths. Muscle cross-sectional arm areas were not significantly different on
both sides neither in male (55.8±7.1 vs. 52.4±6.9 cm2) nor in female fencers (39.3±6,2 vs.
37.8±6.9 cm2). Muscle cross-sectional areas of the armed thighs were larger in male fenc-
ers (236±26 vs. 212±19 cm2, p=0.05), but not in females (222.5±24.0 vs. 203.3±14.9 cm2).
Mean somatotype in present and previous studies are given in figure 1.

Morphologic asymmetries on male fencers are in accordance with previous studies
(Morgonato et al., 1994; Iglesias, 1997; Tsolakis et al., 2006). In contrast with previous
studies (Iglesias, 1997; Tsolakis et al., 2006); no differences were observed neither in
muscle cross-sectional areas, nor in arm and leg girths in female fencers. Mean somato-
type of Spanish male fencers was classified as ecto-mesomorphic, also in agreement with
previous studies (Carter, 1982; Lavoie et al., 1984; Iglesias, 1997; Tsolakis et al., 2006).
Spanish female fencers were rated as balanced mesomorphs unlike Greek junior fencers,
who were described as ecto-endomorphic (Tsolakis et al., 2006). Both samples showed
high somatotype heterogeneity (SAM≥1). In addition, female fencers showed relatively
high levels of body fat (19.4±4.8%), although lower than the group described by Tsolakis
et al., (2006) (27.3±1.7%). Overall, our results are in accordance with previous studies
in suggesting a relatively low relevance of anthropometric factors in competitive fencing
performance (Lavoie et al., 1984). However, since this particular subject was not among
the objectives of the present study, further studies are warranted to elucidate the existence
of prognostic somatic variables in fencing success.
150
Book of Abstracts
References
Iglesias X. Valoració funcional especifica en l’esgrima. Unpublished doctoral disserta-
tion. Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Universitat de Bar-
celona, 1997.
Lavoie JM, Léger L, Marini JF. Comparaisons anthropométriques et physiologiques de
deux niveaux d’escrimeurs compétitifs. La Revue Québécoise de l’Activité Physique.
1984;3(2): 91-95.
Margonato V, Roi GS, Cerizza C, Galbadino GL. Maximal isometric force and muscle cross
sectional area of the forearm in fencers. Journal of Sports Sciences. 1994;12:567-572.
Tsolakis C, Bogdanis GC, Vanegas, G. Anthropometric profile and limb asymmetries in young
male and female fencers. Journal of Human Movement Studies. 2006;50:201-216.
Table 1. Anthropometric characteristics of Spanish junior male and female elite fencers.
Age Height Weight BMI Somatotype ∑ 6 Skinfolds FM MM FFM

SAM
2
(years) (cm) (kg) kg/m Endo. Meso. Ecto. Upper Middle Lower Total (%) (%) (kg)
Mean 18.7 182.9 71.6 21.4 2.0 4.4 3.7 1.0 15.1 14.5 14.7 44.2 9.6 46.4 64.7
Male (n=16)
SD 1.5 5.8 5.7 1.5 0.6 1.0 0.9 0.5 2.4 3.3 2.9 7.3 2.8 2.2 4.7
Mean 18.1 171.1 62.7 21.4 3.3 4.0 3.0 1.0 20.5 18.6 28.7 67.7 18.7 40.3 50.8
Female (n=7)
SD 1.0 6.4 7.2 1.5 1.5 0.6 0.7 0.5 5.0 7.1 4.4 11.7 5.5 3.7 4.9
BMI: body mass index; SAM: somatotype attitudinal mean; ∑ 6 skinfolds: upper (triceps and subscapular),
middle (abdominal and supraspinale), and lower (front thigh and medial calf); FM: fat body mass; MM: muscle
body mass; FFM: fat free body mass.
Illustration
Carter, 1982 (Males, n=9)

Lavoie et al., 1984 (Males, n=10)
Iglesias, 1997 (Males, n=22) 16
Tsolakis et al., 2006 (Males, n=8)
Present study (Males, n=16) 14
Tsolakis et al., 2006 (Females,
M esomn=10)
orphy
Irurtia et al., 2008 (Females, n=7) 12
10
-2
-4
-6
En dom orphy Ect omo rp hy
-8
-10
-12
-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Figure 1. Mean somatotypes of present and previous studies

on male and female elite fencers
151
Bilateral deficits and morphofunctional
asymmetries in youth fencing
ALFREDO IRURTIA1, MARTA CARRASCO2, MICHEL MARINA1, ALBERT BUSQUETS1,
JOSEP MARIA PADULLÉS1, RAFAEL TARRAGÓ3, ADOLFO BENITEZ1,
DANIEL MORENO1, ROBERT USACH1, LISÍMACO VALLEJO1, XAVIER IGLESIAS1,3
1
Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya, Universitat de Barcelona (España)
2
3
Federació Catalana d’Esgima, Barcelona (España)
Correspondence to:
airurtia@gencat.cat
Keywords:
Fencing, Anthropometry, Explosive, Strength, Isometric, Flexibility
Introduction
The morphofunctional profile of the elite fencer has been described (Margonato, 1994;
Iglesias, 1997, Iglesias & Rodríguez, 2001), but few studies had analyzed the morpho-
logical asymmetries and bilateral deficits due to competitive practice in youth fencing
(Tsolakis, 2006). The aim of the present study was to characterize the anthropometric and
morphofunctional imbalances of a young fencers group.

We recruited 20 male fencers (14.8±0.9 years; 171.5±7.6 cm; 60.9±9.6 kg) and 12 post-
menarcheal women fencers (14.2±3.3 years; 162.9±5.5 cm; 57.7±7.6 kg). All of them
were national medalists. Their weekly training volume was 15 hours.
Anthropometric assessment followed the norms adopted by the International Soci-
ety for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Girths, breadths, skinfolds, and
cross-sectional areas (Rolland-Cachera et al., 1997) of arms and thighs were estimated for
both hemibodies. In order to assess coxofemoral flexibility, the norms submitted by Ridge
(1985) were followed. Frontal elevation of extended leg test from the supine position was
measured, in degrees, for both legs. Hand grip test was chosen to measure the maximal
isometric strength of the upper body, for both hands, following the recommendations
of the Eurofit test battery (European Council, 1988). Isokinetic dynamometer was used
to measure the leg maximal isometric and explosive strength. The subjects performed 3
152
Book of Abstracts
maximal isometric contractions (knee flexion = 90º), with each leg separately. ANOVA
with Tukey’s post-hoc and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to determine the
reliability between trials. Independent samples t-Test was used to analyze the differences
between gender and between both hemibodies. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05.
Results
Comparison between genders

Male fencers had forearms (free and armed) with a bigger breadth than the female fenc-
ers (p=0.001). The muscle cross-sectional area of both arms was significantly higher in
males (p=0.001). Nevertheless no significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in thigh
muscle cross-sectional area. The coxofemoral flexibility was greater in women when the
posterior leg was tested (p=0.01). However, no significant differences (p>0.05) were reg-
istered, when the anterior leg was tested. Testing the maximal isometric strength, it was
observed that the hand grip strength was ever higher in men (p=0.001), whereas with
the legs not only the peak torque but also the time to peak torque were similar in both
gender.
Comparison between hemibodies (armed vs. non armed)

Tables are used to show the main results relative to anthropometric assessment (Table
1), flexibility (Table 2), hand grip strength (Table 3) and legs maximal isometric and
explosive strength (Table 4). Significant bilateral deficits were found between hemibod-
ies armed and non armed, and between gender, with the forearm breadths and hand grip
strength (p=0.05). Furthermore, in women significant differences were found between
thigh muscle cross-sectional area of the posterior and anterior leg (p=0.05).
Discussion and Conclusion

In addition to those statistically significant bilateral deficits, others that were not so, must
be highlighted because of their magnitude (Table 1). That is the case of thigh (10%) and
arm muscle cross-sectional areas in men (11.6%), as well as with the girl’s arm muscle
cross-sectional areas (10.4%). Data of the present study is in agreement with literature
when bilateral deficits at young ages are described in fencers (Tsolakis, 2006). Notwith-
standing is accepted that only with longitudinal studies, which controls factors like nature
and type of training, it will be possible to describe the kinetic of the morphofunctional
evolution with age in fencing.
153
Book of Abstracts
References
Iglesias X, Rodríguez FA. Dynamic strength testing of fencers: profiling with relation to
age, gender, weapon and performance. In: Mester J, King G, Strüder H, Tsolakidis E,
Osterburg A. (eds.), Book of Abstracts of the 6th Annual Congress of the European
College of Sport Science & 15th Congress of the German Society of Sport Science, p.
1159. Cologne: ECSS, Sport und Buch Strauss, 2001.
Iglesias X. Valoració funcional especifica en l’esgrima. Unpublished doctoral disserta-
tion. Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Universitat de Bar-
celona, 1997.
Margonato V, Roi GS, Cerizza C, Galbadino GL. Maximal isometric force and muscle cross
sectional area of the forearm in fencers. Journal of Sports Sciences. 1994;12:567-572.
Tsolakis C, Bogdanis GC, Vanegas, G. Anthropometric profile and limb asymmetries in
young male and female fencers. J. Human Movement Studies. 2006;50:201-216.
Table 1. Anthropometric assessment: bilateral deficits between armed & non armed hemibodies.
Male fencers (n=20) Female fencers (n=12)

Armed Non armed Armed Non armed
% BD % BD
(Anterior) (Posterior) (Anterior) (Posterior)
Triceps 10.8±5.0 11.3±5.1 4.2 18.0±4.9 19.0±4.3 4.9
Skinfolds
Biceps 6.1±3.2 6.3±3.9 2.9 10.0±4.9 10.2±4.8 2.8
(mm)
Front thigh 15.1±5.6 15.4±6.7 2.3 25.0±5.6 25.4±5.6 1.3
n=4
Medial calf 12.7±4.2 13.0±4.4 2.8 21.1±7.9 21.4±7.7 1.6
Arm relaxed 25.2±2.6 24.2±2.6 4.2 25.0±1.9 24.3±2.3 2.8
Arm flexed 27.6±2.8 26.5±2.6 4.3 26.5±1.9 25.7±2.4 3.1
Forearm 25.4±1.8 24.1±1.6 5.4 * 23.6±1.1 22.4±1.3 5.5 *
Girths (cm)
Wrist 16.3±0.8 15.9±0.8 2.4 14.9±0.8 14.6±0.9 1.9
n=7
Thigh 52.5±4.9 50.4±4.7 4.1 54.1±3.7 51.7±3.2 4.6
Calf 35.3±3.3 35.2±3.2 0.3 35.0±2.0 34.6±1.8 1.0
Ankle 22.8±1.6 22.7±1.6 0.4 21.9±1.2 21.8±1.2 0.8
Humerus 6.9±0.3 6.7±0.3 2.6 6.0±0.3 5.8±0.5 3.4
Breadths (cm) Bistyloid 5.6±0.3 5.5±0.3 2.6 5.2±0.3 5.1±0.2 1.8
n=4 Femur 9.8±0.5 9.6±0.5 1.3 9.1±0.4 9.0±0.4 1.2
Bimalleolar 7.3±0.4 7.2±0.5 1.4 6.4±0.3 6.4±0.4 1.0
Arm fat mass 12.8±6.7 12.9±6.8 0.6 20.0±5.9 20.3±5.5 1.4
Cross-sectional
Arm muscle mass 38.0±7.2 34.1±6.6 11.6 29.9±5.3 27.1±6.2 10.4
Areas (cm2)
Thigh fat mass 37.8±18.7 38.4±16.9 1.8 60.9±15.8 63.3±17.2 3.8
n=4
Thigh muscle mass 182.8±30.8 166.2±25.8 10.0 170.7±19.1 152.8±15.7 11.7 *
154
Book of Abstracts
Table 2. Coxofemoral flexibility assessment: bilateral deficit (BD) between anterior & posterior leg.
Male fencers Female fencers

Anterior Posterior % BD Anterior Posterior % BD
Angle α (º) 90.9±13.9 84.7±12.7 7.3 98.6±8.7 97.0±11.8 1.6
Table 3. Maximal isometric strength (hand grip test): bilateral deficit (BD) between armed & non armed hands.

Armed Non armed % BD Armed Non armed % BD
Hand grip strength 12.4
34.6±6.1 29.7±5.9 14.2 * 27.5±3.6 24.1±4.1
(kp) *
(*) p≤0.05
Table 4. Leg maximal isometric & explosive strength: bilateral deficits (BD) between anterior & posterior leg.

Anterior Posterior % BD Anterior Posterior % BD
Peak torque 90º (Nm) 194.5±35.2 167.4±36.5 16.2 179.3±27.2 157.2±28.5 14.1
Time to peak torque 90º (s) 1.9±0.6 1.6±0.8 18.8 1.6±0.8 1.5±0.6 6.7
155
Assessment of lumbar and extremities
muscle strength in high performance
fencers in relation to sports injuries
CARMEN PORCAR1, FERMIN OLIETE1, ANTONIO TURMO1, FIDEL SUST2,
CARLES MARTÍ2, FCO. JAVIER LINDE2
1
Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (España)
2
Centre d’Alt Rendiment Esportiu, Sant Cugat del Vallès (España)
Correspondence to:
cporcar@car.edu
Keywords:
Fencing, Strength, Extremities, Lumbar, Muscles, Injuries
Introduction
Fencing exposes the body to a particular workload, which produces different morphologi-
cal asymmetries in the athletes. We have assessed if this asymmetry causes differences in
the muscle Strength of the extremities, and if there is a link with the injuries. We have also
assessed the lumbar muscle Strength and if there is a link with injuries at that level.
Material and method

We have tested 10 fencers between the ages of 18 and 22, 6 men and 4 women.
A) They have done different tests of strength:

• A test of isometric strength of the lumbar muscle.
• A bilateral test of isokinetic strength of the knee flexion muscle.
• A bilateral test of the isokinetic strength of the rotary muscle of the shoulder.
B) A morphological exploration has been carried out, assessing the static position in
a sagital and frontal plane. Two perimeters of the muscle have been measured at
different altitudes from the high point of the knee cap (5 and 10cm).
C) Injuries suffered in the previous year have been checked in the case history.
156
Book of Abstracts
Results
We have noticed an alteration in the muscle balance of the shoulder rotary muscles in
every case, especially on the domineering side. There is symmetry of strength in the ro-
tary muscles as regards the other side, except in two cases.
In the legs there is symmetry of strength in the extending muscles but not in the flex-
ing muscles.
Regarding injuries, we have noticed how the domineering shoulder and the flexing
muscles of the legs have been affected.
We have related the lack of lumbar muscle strength with black pain.

We know that the existence of unbalances between the agonist and antagonist muscles
increases the frequency of overloading and injuries in the muscles as well as the articula-
tions. The appearance of injuries is also connected with the existence of a lack of strength
in the related muscle.
The existence of the connection between the injuries suffered with an unbalance or
lack of local strength reinforces the importance of an individual physical assessment,
orientated to program one part of the physical preparation in function with what we have
found in each athlete.
References
Huesa Jiménez, M. Isokinetics, Methodology and Use. Madrid: MAPFRE, 2000.
Pérez Ares, J. Sainz de Murieta Rodeyro, J. Varas de la Fuente, AB. Physiotherapy of
the shoulder articulation. Evaluation and treatment of the soft tissue. Barcelona: Pub-
lished by Masson. 2004
Vidal Sebastià, M MEDX System. Evaluation and treatment. First Meeting of collabora-
tion between “Unión de Mutuas” with the “Sociedad Valenciana de Rehabilitación y
Medicina Física. 2003” (Valencian Society of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine).
157
The internal logic of fencing sport
1
MERCÈ MATEU, 2PERE LAVEGA
1
INEFC Centre de Barcelona; Universitat de Barcelona (España)
2
INEFC Centre de Lleida; Universitat de Lleida (España)
Miembros del Grupo de Estudios Praxiológicos del INEFC
Correspondence to:
mmateu@inefc.es
Keywords:
Motor, Praxiology, Game, Logics, Action
All intervention in the field of the physical education and the sport depends on a system
of values, that is to say, the teacher or trainer has as objective produce an influence on the
players, since it is not based only on a set of intentions but on a discipline of action.
Although the physical education or the sport training is not a science, but a practice,
they can be supported in scientific results and also may generate applied investigations.
The school playground or the sport facilities become an authentic laboratory of learning
and motor relationships that should be investigated.
For this reason it is necessary to identify the properties of any game like fencing, to
find out which sort of relationships and processes are activated and which sort of experi-
ences originates in its players.
Fencing as sport game has an internal logic that activates a set of internal relationships
with the other players, with the space, with the material and with time. All these relation-
ships will originate a set of motor consequences on players. In fencing any player must be
adapted to the exigencies of that internal logic, associated to make decisions, to read, to
interpret and to descodify the intentions of the opponent to react strategically to achieve
success in that competition.
In order to understand better and to locate the fencing in the set of sport games it is
necessary to have a classification that allows “identifying, distinguishing characteristics
that generate fundamental motor properties. The main contribution of these characteris-
tics will be its capacity of prediction “, (Parlebas, 2001:163).
The classification allows to introduce the notion of dominion of motor action referred
the “field in which the motor activities are considered homogenous with respect to perti-
nent and precise criteria of motor action” (Parlebas, 2001:161).
158
Book of Abstracts
The organization in dominions of motor action offers a base that allows developing a
pedagogical project and proposes vital directions for all type of investigations. It stimu-
lates researches that verify if the obtained effects correspond with the awaited effects and
the searched effects (Parlebas, 2001:163).
Parlebas classifies the sport games in groups of motor experiences or dominions of
motor action, combining of binary way the criterion motor interaction with the other
players ( if there is or not partners and opponents) and the criterion of relation with an
average stable physicist (that does not originate uncertainty) or unstable space (that origi-
nates unexpected information). Of the eight resulting families, the fencing belongs to the
dominion of opposition in stable means.
In this family also are other sports of symmetrical duel (tennis, judo), as well as other
dissymmetrical games (of one against one, one against all or all against all). In addition
the opposition can be offered with body contact (like in karate or through objects like in
fencing).
Although they are different games all of them activate problems of similar nature. In
all of them it is necessary to make decisions, to anticipate to the other actions, to decode
the messages of the others and to carry out motor strategies to optimize this type of motor
behaviours. This group of situations can be useful to educate motor behaviour associate
motor to the competitiveness or solve problems.
The analysis of the internal logic of the fencing allows identifying their specificity,
indicating that the fencer is a sportsman/sportswoman who must solve problems associ-
ated to:
• The relationship with the others. It is a game of zero sum, of opposition, with a ex-
clusive-stable motor communication network, it is a symmetrical duel.
• The relationship with the space. The space is stable. The guard distance (distance
which separates to the opponents before the offensive action of one of them) is aver-
age (3-5m), bigger than in the judo or karate and less that in tennis. In this distance
the power cost with respect to the judo or karate diminishes. The individual space
of motor interaction (space surface/number players) average (13,5m2) is compared
with the one of other fighting sports, the judo or karate. It is much smaller than ten-
nis.
• The relation with the material. Players use different implements for the challenge.
• The relation with time. It is a game with victory, of mixed conclusion (by time limit;
at the end of time, results are compared) or by score limit (it wins that before arrives
at an established score).
Parlebas, P. (2001). [Juegos, deporte y sociedad. Léxico de praxiología motriz].

(Título original Jeux, sports et société. Léxique praxeologie motrice, Traducido por
159
Book of Abstracts
González del Campo Román, adaptado y revisado por Lagardera, F. y Lavega, P.). Bar-
celona: Paidotribo.
Illustration
CAI
C C
CA CA CA CA
CAI CAI CAI CAI CAI CAI CAI CAI

PRACT ICA S PRACT ICA S
SO CIOMOTR ICES PSI COMOTR ICES
160
SPONSORED BY ENDORSED BY
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Physiological testing and bionergetics in fencing

Article · January 2008

Xavier Iglesias Ferran A. Rodríguez

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1 ª edició: Barcelona, febrer de 2008

Amb el patrocini de la FEDERACIÓ CATALANA D'ESGRIMA

Coordinador (Ed.): Xavier Iglesias

Disseny i maquetació: Ediciones Gráficas Rey, S.L.

Dipòsit legal: B-12073-2008

Xavier Iglesias Ph.D

Static structural research study on fencers sponsored by the “Comunidad

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