Fencing: Biomedical and Psychological Factors

[Mr Epee]

This is an interesting article that I came across while researching for a project.

Enjoy!

Physiological and morphological characteristics of world class fencers.

Nystrom J, Lindwall O, Ceci R, Harmenberg J, Svedenhag J, Ekblom B.

Department of Physiology III, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Physiological and morphological characteristics of world class epee fencers were analysed. The results showed that epee fencers have a high maximal aerobic power and high maximal isometric and dynamic strength. The movement pattern of epee fencing results in an asymmetry of the body. Thus, weapon hand isometric elbow flexion and forward leg isometric and dynamic muscle strength were higher than the contralateral extremity. Finally, forward leg muscle mass--evaluated from computed tomography--was higher while the muscle fiber composition was not different from the contralateral leg.

PMID: 2338374 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[JEC]

These three older threads have some discussion about scientific articles on fencers:

http://www.fencing.net/forums/discus...hive/t2154.htm

http://www.fencing.net/forums/fencin...sion/t8338.htm

http://www.fencing.net/forums/discus...ive/t1113.html