{"id":670,"date":"2025-10-29T00:36:28","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T00:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/lo-studio-a-test-for-determining-endurance-capacity-in-fencers-weichenberger-et-al-2012\/"},"modified":"2025-12-03T08:25:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T08:25:09","slug":"the-study-a-test-for-determining-endurance-capacity-in-fencers-weichenberger-et-al-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/the-study-a-test-for-determining-endurance-capacity-in-fencers-weichenberger-et-al-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"The study \u201cA Test for Determining Endurance Capacity in Fencers\u201d (Weichenberger et al., 2012)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The study \u201cA Test for Determining Endurance Capacity in Fencers\u201d<\/strong> (Weichenberger et al., 2012) proposes and validates a specific incremental test for fencing \u2013 the Fencing-specific Endurance Test (FET)<\/strong> \u2013 to assess fencers’ aerobic capacity under realistic conditions comparable to combat.<\/p>\n

General Information<\/h2>\n

Authors<\/strong>: M. Weichenberger, Y. Liu, J.M. Steinacker
Institution<\/strong>: Section of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Ulm, Germany
Publication<\/strong>: International Journal of Sports Medicine, 2012<\/p>\n

Context and Objectives<\/h2>\n

Fencing is a combat sport with tournaments lasting up to 11 hours, where athletes must face bouts lasting from 3 to 9 minutes. During the bouts, fencers move with repeated asymmetrical steps and changes of direction, covering distances between 250-1000 meters on a 14-meter strip.<\/p>\n

Problem<\/strong>: Until now, fencers’ aerobic capacity was tested using non-specific ergometers (treadmill, cycle ergometer), despite the movement patterns in fencing being considerably different.<\/p>\n

Study Objectives<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Develop and evaluate a fencing-specific endurance test (FET)<\/li>\n
  2. Compare it with conventional tests<\/li>\n
  3. Verify if it can distinguish between fencers of different levels<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Operational Methodology<\/h2>\n

    Study 1: FET Evaluation<\/h3>\n

    Participants<\/strong>: 28 German athletes (13 females, 15 males)<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Age: $16.8 \\pm 1.3$ years<\/li>\n
    • Height: $177.1 \\pm 8.5$ cm<\/li>\n
    • Weight: $68.8 \\pm 10.9$ kg<\/li>\n
    • Level: national and international (foil and \u00e9p\u00e9e)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Protocol<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • 4 tests in randomized order with 3 days of recovery between tests<\/li>\n
      • Fencing-specific endurance test (FET)<\/li>\n
      • Treadmill test (TM)<\/li>\n
      • Cycle ergometer test (CE)<\/li>\n
      • Fencing bouts (BOU)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Study 2: Level Discrimination<\/h3>\n

        Participants<\/strong>: 39 German male fencers<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Elite (ELI)<\/strong>: 19 international level athletes ($17.9 \\pm 1.7$ years, $184.0 \\pm 6.3$ cm, $77.7 \\pm 8.9$ kg)<\/li>\n
        • Non-Elite (NON)<\/strong>: 20 national level athletes ($16.4 \\pm 1.2$ years, $181.6 \\pm 8.1$ cm, $73.1 \\pm 9.7$ kg)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Test Descriptions<\/h2>\n

          Fencing-Specific Test (FET)<\/h3>\n

          Characteristics<\/strong>: <\/p>\n

            \n
          • Performed on a fencing strip (7 meters)<\/li>\n
          • Forward-backward movement using fencing-specific steps<\/li>\n
          • Maintaining the weapon in the standard position<\/li>\n
          • Change of direction at 0 and 7 meters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Incremental protocol<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Initial speed: 3 km\/h<\/li>\n
            • Increments: 1 km\/h every 3 minutes<\/li>\n
            • Computerized visual and acoustic signals for pacing<\/li>\n
            • 30-second pauses for lactate sampling<\/li>\n
            • Continuation until exhaustion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Treadmill Test (TM)<\/h3>\n
                \n
              • Initial speed: 6 km\/h<\/li>\n
              • Incline: 1.5%<\/li>\n
              • Increments: 2 km\/h every 3 minutes<\/li>\n
              • 30-second pauses between levels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Cycle Ergometer Test (CE)<\/h3>\n
                  \n
                • Initial load: 50 watts<\/li>\n
                • Increments: 25 watts every 3 minutes<\/li>\n
                • Measurement every 3 minutes before the increment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Fencing Bouts (BOU)<\/h3>\n
                    \n
                  • 3 bouts against different opponents<\/li>\n
                  • Duration: up to 5 touches or 3 minutes<\/li>\n
                  • Conforming to tournament rules<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Measurements<\/h2>\n

                    For all tests:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Blood Lactate<\/strong>: $20 \\mu l$ capillary sample<\/li>\n
                    • Heart Rate<\/strong>: continuous monitoring<\/li>\n
                    • Speed\/Power<\/strong>: recording at various levels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Main Results<\/h2>\n

                      Comparison between Tests and Bouts<\/h3>\n

                      Lactate during bouts (BOU)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Mean: 1.7 mmol\/l<\/li>\n
                      • Range: 0.9-2.5 mmol\/l<\/li>\n
                      • Indicates intensity in the aerobic range<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Heart rate during bouts<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Range: 120-194 bpm<\/li>\n
                        • Mean: $158.69 \\pm 15.42$ bpm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Correlations with heart rate in bouts<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • FET vs BOU: $r = 0.80$<\/strong> (p < 0.01) - strong correlation<\/li>\n
                          • TM vs BOU: $r = 0.63$ (p < 0.01) - moderate correlation<\/li>\n
                          • CE vs BOU: $r = 0.38$ (p < 0.01) - weak correlation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Mean heart rate differences with BOU<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • FET: 3.4 bpm (limits: -8.2 to 14.9 bpm)<\/li>\n
                            • TM: 20.4 bpm (limits: -7.2 to 47.9 bpm)<\/li>\n
                            • CE: 31.2 bpm (limits: -8.3 to 70.8 bpm)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Heart Rate at Different Lactate Levels<\/h3>\n

                              At the same lactate concentration, heart rate was significantly higher in the FET compared to the other tests:<\/p>\n

                              \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                              Lactate<\/th>\nFET<\/th>\nTM<\/th>\nCE<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                              2 mmol\/l<\/td>\n165.1 bpm<\/td>\n$149.7 \\text{ bpm}^*$<\/td>\n$135.9 \\text{ bpm}^\\#$<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              3 mmol\/l<\/td>\n176.6 bpm<\/td>\n$166.0 \\text{ bpm}^*$<\/td>\n$150.5 \\text{ bpm}^\\#$<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              4 mmol\/l<\/td>\n183.2 bpm<\/td>\n$174.3 \\text{ bpm}^*$<\/td>\n$160.3 \\text{ bpm}^\\#$<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Max<\/td>\n192.6 bpm<\/td>\n193.0 bpm<\/td>\n$183.2 \\text{ bpm}^\\#$<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

                              *p < 0.01 vs CE; #p < 0.01 vs FET<\/p>\n

                              Maximum Values<\/h3>\n
                              \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                              Parameter<\/th>\nFET<\/th>\nTM<\/th>\nCE<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                              Max HR<\/td>\n$192.6 \\pm 9.1$<\/td>\n$193.0 \\pm 9.8$<\/td>\n$183.2 \\pm 10.9$<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Max Lactate<\/td>\n$7.2 \\pm 2.0$<\/td>\n$9.6 \\pm 2.9$<\/td>\n$8.8 \\pm 1.9$<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Max Speed<\/td>\n$8.1 \\pm 0.9$ km\/h<\/td>\n$13.1 \\pm 1.7$ km\/h<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Rel. Max Power<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n$3.2 \\pm 0.4$ W\/kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

                              Level Discrimination<\/h3>\n

                              Elite fencers (ELI) showed significantly higher speeds than non-elites (NON) at all intensities:<\/p>\n

                              \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                              Parameter<\/th>\nNON<\/th>\nELI<\/th>\nSignificance<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                              Speed at 2 mmol\/l<\/td>\n$5.03 \\pm 0.87$ km\/h<\/td>\n$5.86 \\pm 1.07$ km\/h<\/td>\np < 0.05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Speed at 3 mmol\/l<\/td>\n$5.87 \\pm 0.63$ km\/h<\/td>\n$6.62 \\pm 1.13$ km\/h<\/td>\np < 0.05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Speed at 4 mmol\/l<\/td>\n$6.26 \\pm 0.75$ km\/h<\/td>\n$7.02 \\pm 1.31$ km\/h<\/td>\np < 0.05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Maximum Speed<\/td>\n$7.44 \\pm 0.73$ km\/h<\/td>\n$8.40 \\pm 1.07$ km\/h<\/td>\np < 0.01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

                              Correlations between Tests<\/h3>\n

                              Performance in conventional tests correlated weakly with the FET:<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • CE-FET at 2 mmol\/l: $r = 0.30$ (p < 0.05)<\/li>\n
                              • TM-FET at 2 mmol\/l: $r = 0.31$ (p < 0.05)<\/li>\n
                              • TM-CE: $r = 0.72$ (p < 0.01)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Study Conclusions<\/h2>\n
                                  \n
                                1. The FET is specific<\/strong>: it reproduces the physical load of fencing bouts better than conventional tests<\/li>\n
                                2. Ecological Validity<\/strong>: the strong correlation ($r = 0.80$) between FET and real bouts demonstrates that the test accurately simulates the physiological demands of fencing<\/li>\n
                                3. Discriminative Capacity<\/strong>: the FET effectively distinguishes between elite and non-elite fencers<\/li>\n
                                4. Superiority over conventional tests<\/strong>: treadmill and cycle ergometer tests show significantly lower heart rates at the same metabolic intensity<\/li>\n
                                5. Practical Applicability<\/strong>: the test is well-accepted by coaches and athletes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                  Practical Implications<\/h2>\n

                                  REFERENCE VALUES FOR TRAINING<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                  These values are useful for:<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • Customizing aerobic training intensity<\/li>\n
                                  • Monitoring the progress of specific aerobic capacity<\/li>\n
                                  • Predicting competitive potential<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                                    Lactate Threshold<\/strong><\/td>\nMean HR (FET)<\/strong><\/td>\nMean Speed (FET)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                                    2 mmol\/l<\/strong><\/td>\n$165 \\pm 13$ bpm<\/td>\n5.03\u20135.86 km\/h (NON\u2013ELI)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                    3 mmol\/l<\/strong><\/td>\n$177 \\pm 10$ bpm<\/td>\n5.87\u20136.62 km\/h<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                    4 mmol\/l<\/strong><\/td>\n$183 \\pm 10$ bpm<\/td>\n6.26\u20137.02 km\/h<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                    vMAX<\/strong><\/td>\n$\\sim 193$ bpm<\/td>\n7.4\u20138.4 km\/h<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

                                    Application<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    • Set interval training close to v@Lac3 and v@Lac4 values to improve specific endurance<\/li>\n
                                    • Monitor individual response (HR\/lactate) to calibrate loads<\/li>\n
                                    • Use vMAX to test specific aerobic level and compare it over time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                        \n
                                      • The FET allows for a more accurate assessment of fencing-specific endurance<\/li>\n
                                      • It can be used to monitor the effects of specific training<\/li>\n
                                      • Useful for training periodization and programming<\/li>\n
                                      • Allows for the identification of specific aerobic capacities needed for competition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                        Limitations<\/h2>\n
                                          \n
                                        • Competition bouts were not examined<\/li>\n
                                        • Limited sample, especially for female athletes<\/li>\n
                                        • Need for future studies to verify the predictive capacity for competition success<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                            \n
                                          1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                            The study \u201cA Test for Determining Endurance Capacity in Fencers\u201d (Weichenberger et al., 2012) proposes and validates a specific incremental test for fencing \u2013 the Fencing-specific Endurance Test (FET) \u2013 to assess fencers’ aerobic capacity under realistic conditions comparable to combat. General Information Authors: M. Weichenberger, Y. Liu, J.M. SteinackerInstitution: Section of Sports Medicine and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":620,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[18],"class_list":["post-670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport-scienze","tag-paper"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=670"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":674,"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670\/revisions\/674"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/620"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omerimassimo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}