“Physiological demands of fencing: A Narrative Review” Autori: Luke W. Oates, Michael J. Price, Lindsay M. Bottoms. Fonte: Journal of Elite Sport Performance. ​FullText 73815 (2023).

1. Aim of the Review

• Objective: To provide an updated overview of the literature regarding the physiological and thermoregulatory demands of fencing.
• Practical purpose: To improve training protocols, competition management, and recovery strategies for fencers.

2. Methodology

• Search on scientific databases (Pubmed, SPORTDiscus, Google Scholar) from 1985 to 2022.
• Inclusion of studies related to all three weapons: épée, foil, and sabre.
• Included studies on Pool phase and Direct Elimination (DE) phase.

3. Main Results

3.1 Movement Characteristics

• Fencing = high-intensity intermittent sport.
• Work/Rest ratios:
  • Épée: ~1:1 – 2:1
  • Foil: ~1:1 – 1:3
  • Sabre: ~1:5 – 1:6
• Average single action time:
  • Épée: 15 sec
  • Foil: 5 sec
  • Sabre: 2.5 sec
• Analysis technology: modern accelerometers to measure speed, distance, accelerations, and loads.

3.2 Heart Rate

• During competition: 75–100% of maximum heart rate (HRmax).
• Higher HR in DE matches compared to Pools.
• Simulated studies tend to underestimate cardiac load compared to real competitions.

3.3 Oxygen Consumption (VO₂)

• Average VO₂ during DE:
  • ~75% of VO₂max.
• Average values: 35–47 ml/kg/min for simulated épée; slightly lower in Pools.
• Few direct measurements during real competitions, mainly estimates based on HR.

3.4 Blood Lactate Concentration

• Generally low (often < 4 mmol/L).
• Mixed energy contribution:
  • Phosphocreatine system predominant (explosive movements).
  • Important aerobic support in the preparatory and recovery phase.
• In longer matches (like épée), progressive fatigue leads to greater reliance on aerobic metabolism.

3.5 Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

• Increases significantly in DE phases compared to Pools.
• RPE differences detected between upper and lower limbs (weapon/arms more fatigued, but legs equally stressed).

3.6 Thermoregulation

• Under-studied issue:
  • Full equipment = major obstacle to heat dissipation.
  • Gastrointestinal temperatures > 39°C observed.
  • Possible negative effects on performance and fatigue perception during prolonged competitions.
• Future proposals: measurements of skin temperature, subjective thermal sensation, internal mask temperature.

4. Conclusions and Practical Implications

• Fencing heavily taxes both the alactic anaerobic (phosphocreatine) and aerobic systems.
• Training programming:
  • Develop aerobic capacity for long-term endurance (9-11 hour competitions).
  • Focus on recovery speed between matches.
  • Integrate cooling protocols (cooling strategies) during dead times between bouts.
• Recommended measurements for monitoring:
  • Heart rate
  • RPE
  • Body temperature

Summary Table

Final Consideration:
This study confirms that fencing is an extremely complex sport at a physiological level, requiring an integrated management of energy conditioning, mental endurance, and thermoregulation to optimize competitive performance.