Kinematic Analysis of Fencing Lunge Using Stereophotogrametry

The purpose of the present study was to kinematically analyze the fencing lunge in two groups of elite and novice athletes. Eight right-handed fencers (foil-male) were selected from Sharif University fencing team (Novice group, mean 21/5 ± 1/3 years) and Iranian national fencing team (Elite group, mean 24 ± 2/5 years) and tested in two different days following the installation of markers over the joints of the subjects. The lunge fencing of subjects was recorded using 3-high speed kinemetrix camera. The results showed that the elite group had a higher mean lunge length than the novice group (1/17 ± 0.17 m vs. with 1.02 ± 0.1 m). Studying the effective factors, it was noticed that in on guard position, the elite group inclined their bodies (0.117 ± 0.04 m) towards their front legs more than novice group (0.051 ± 0.03). Investigation of the angular motion of joints revealed that the initial knee flexion in elite group (mean 20 deg) was less than novice group (mean 38 deg) but their following extension (51±9 deg) was considerably larger (18 ± 8 deg). The angular motion of the hip joints in the two groups was negligible except for the final lunge position. In contrast to the popular belief that the motion of armed hand and blade proceeds the leg motion, it was observed that the armed hand and leg moved simultaneously in elite group. Our results emphasize the necessity to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, in addition to observe motion pattern of the lower limbs to achieve a longer lunge.