Muscle Changes during Direct Attack under Different Conditions in Elite Wheelchair Fencing

Wheelchair fencing is a medium-distance combat sport in which the wheelchair is fixed to the floor. This requires a maximum concentration and gestational speed. Refined techniques and fatigue tolerance are essential to achieve competitive results.

AIM

The main objective of this study was to measure the speed and muscular participation of a direct attack gesture with and without fatigue in a sample of elite wheelchair fencers.

METHODS

The maximal isometric force, gestural speed, and resistance to gestural velocity were estimated in 10 elite performed direct fencers.

RESULTS

The results revealed that sitting height and wingspan were important factors in achieving the highest speed, especially in women (r = 0.9; p = 0.07). Other factors, such as the elbow angle where the closed position was better, affected muscle contraction in both categories of athletes (p = 0.01). The onset of fatigue was earlier in category B than in category A, with greater variation in direct attack movement. The results highlight the importance of analyzing direct attacks for the best application of quick force, speed, and muscle participation, as well as identifying the onset of technical deterioration to devise a competitive strategy. These parameters may allow for precise design of conditioning sessions for elite wheelchair shooters.

The impact of high-intensity arm crank exercise on reaction time in wheelchair fencers: gender differences and mechanical predictors

To achieve high performance, wheelchair fencing (WF) athletes are required to exhibit good physiological and timing indicators. The main aims of this study were to assess the relationship between the results of the repeated sprint ability (RSA) test and reaction time (RT) in WF, and to evaluate changes in RT after repeated high-intensity sprints in the group of an international-level WF athletes. This experimental study involved 18 athletes (aged 34.6 ± 7.70) from the Paralympic WF team. To establish the impact of fatigue on psychomotor capacity, the participants undergo a series of tests. At the beginning of the study, first reaction time (RT1) was measured. Afterwards, the RSA test was performed using the arm crank ergometer to evaluate the participants' repeated sprint ability. Immediately after RSA, the second reaction time (RT2) was measured. Statistical analysis revealed moderate correlations between the RT2 and total work, decrease of work (DW), highest peak power, mean peak power, and highest peak power/kg, but these correlations were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). All fencers achieved a significantly shorter average RT2 (p < 0.005) after the RSA test (0.383 ± 0.035 s) than before the test (0.391 ± 0.038 s). Additionally, RT2 was significantly shorter than RT1 in the women's group (p < 0.001). Moreover, males had significantly greater values of repeated sprint ability parameters: highest work, total work, decrease of work and highest peak power (p < 0.05) than females. To conclude, repeated high-intensity arm crank exercise has a positive impact on simple postexercise cognitive tasks in WF fencers, especially in women, and leads to a decrease in RT. The RSA parameters can be predictors of changes in RT in men and women wheelchair fencers.

Performance criteria for para-athletes in fencing

Wheelchair fencing is an opposition sport on a specific wheelchair, with a fixed distance between the two athletes. As for other Paralympic sports, different categories exist for the different pathologies of the athletes. Searching for biomechanical performance criteria is of primary interest for coaches, recruiters and trainers. Such performance criteria have been highlighted for able-bodied fencers but not for para-fencers. Through transposition, the corresponding parameters for para-fencers would be the weapon speed and the ability to move the trunk forward and backward on their wheelchair. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine performance criteria for para-fencers. Eleven French para-fencers performed fencing activities with a motion capture system while facing each other, with their own equipment. Different activities were realised to quantify the allonge, the weapon speed, and the torso motion. Only the correlation between the range of motion of the torso and the mass of the athletes wielding an épée was significant (p = 0.02 ). The comparison between the different categories showed significant differences for the torso motion, which was not found for the weapon speed. Future studies, with a larger cohort, might help validate, or not, tendencies found in this study.

A standard operating procedure for the physical performance analysis of wheelchair fencer: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Wheelchair fencing (WF) is a very practiced sport within the Paralympic world. A careful analysis of the characteristics and data of a WF athlete can be useful for coaches and movement experts to better plan a training program. The objective of the study was to evaluate physical fitness assessment methods adopted in WF and to propose a standard operating procedures (SOP).

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Original articles written in English were included in this review, and the population studied was composed of athletes who practiced WF. Studies were searched from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using keywords and Boolean operators. Eight studies were included in this review.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Most of the studies converge and agree on the physical, physiological, and technical characteristics of a WF athlete.

CONCLUSIONS

The scientific literature referring to this sport is very scarce, hence the need for new original studies to optimize the SOP proposed.

Physiological demands and motion analysis of elite foil fencing

The aim of this study was to determine the physiological demands and motion analysis of a simulated fencing competition. Eighteen fencers each completed 5 'poule' (5 touches) and 'direct elimination (DE)' (15 touches) fights. Expired gases were measured during 1 poule and DE fight. Heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and movement data were recorded throughout all fights. Motion analysis was undertaken using the software LINCE PLUS. Differences between poule and DE fights were determined by either a paired t-test or a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. HR and RPE were significantly greater during DE compared to poule (170 ±10 vs 163 ±13 beats·min-1; P<0.05). A greater distance was covered during a DE fight compared to a poule fight (459.9 ± 117.7 m vs 162.6 ± 74.2 m; P<0.05). The average values of [Formula: see text] were 42.5 ±5.6 ml·kg-1·min-1 in men and 34.4 ±3.2 ml·kg-1·min-1 in women. Work-to-rest ratios reduced during the DE fights along with a lower average speed and increased max speed (11.7 ± 2.8 km∙h-1 vs 9.6 ± 1.6 km∙h-1; P<0.05). In conclusion, there is an increased physiological demand during a DE fight accompanied by a reduction in average speed and decreased work-to-rest ratio.

Correlations between the EMG Structure of Movement Patterns and Activity of Postural Muscles in Able-Bodied and Wheelchair Fencers

The study involved Paralympic wheelchair fencers (N = 7) in two disability categories, and able-bodied female epee fencers (N = 7), members of the polish paralympic fencing teams. The performance of postural muscles and sword arm muscles in both groups of fencers, and of the front and rear leg muscles in the able-bodied fencers, was examined using surface electromyography with an accelerometer and the OptiTrack motion analysis system, as well as ground force reaction platforms. The activation sequence of individual muscles was determined and the structure of movement patterns in able-bodied and wheelchair fencers was formulated. A statistically significant correlation was found between the complex motor reaction time and latissimus dorsi muscle activation (p = 0.039, Z = -2.062) in wheelchair fencers. High correlations between the vertical force and EMG signal values of the gastrocnemius caput laterale muscle (0.85 for p = 0.022) were found in able-bodied fencers. A heuristic analysis indicated the significance of postural muscles in the movement patterns of wheelchair and able-bodied fencers. These muscles play a crucial role in the anticipatory postural adjustment of the trunk during technical fencing actions, including attacks on the opponent's body.

The physical characteristics underpinning performance of wheelchair fencing athletes: A Delphi study of Paralympic coaches

Wheelchair fencing (WF) is a Paralympic sport which is practised by athletes with physical disabilities and is classified into three categories according to the degree of activity limitation the impairment causes in the sport. All Paralympic sports are requested to develop their own evidence-based classification system to enhance the confidence in the classification process; however, this is yet to be achieved in WF. Research within WF is scarce; therefore, the aim of this study was to reach expert consensus on the physical characteristics that underpin performance of athletes competing in the sport as this is known as one of the initial steps required to achieve an evidence-based classification system. Sixteen Paralympic WF coaches were invited to take part in a three-round Delphi study, with experts drawing consensus on qualities of speed, strength, power, flexibility and motor control of the trunk and fencing arm being associated with increased athletic success. The required qualities of the non-fencing arm led to diverging opinions across the expert panel. This study provides clear guidance of the physical qualities to be developed to maximize athletic performance while also providing the initial framework to guide future WF classification research.

Neuromuscular, Perceptual, and Temporal Determinants of Movement Patterns in Wheelchair Fencing: Preliminary Study

The objective of the present study was to determine the structure of the movement pattern performed during a wheelchair fencing lunge that is executed in response to visual and sensory stimuli. In addition, a comparison was made between fencers in the categories A and B of disability. In addition, the analysis involved the correlation between the duration of the sensorimotor response and the value of the bioelectric signal recorded in selected muscles. Seven Paralympic team athletes specializing in wheelchair fencing (3 in category A and 4 in category B) participated in the research. The fencers perform at international level competitions and are multiple medalists of the Paralympic Games. In the study, a wireless system for sEMG and accelerometer signal measurement was employed to test the intervals between the initiation of the lunge attack and its termination defined by the touch of the weapon on the coach's torso. The electrodes were placed on 9 key muscles responsible for the effectiveness of the executed attack: DEL, TRI, BC, ECR FCR, LD, and EAO. The significant intergroup difference in the muscle activation was found to be 0.333 s for category A fencers and 0.522 s for category A fencers at p = 0.039 applies to the latissimus dorsi (LD LT) muscle, which demonstrates its significance as a postural muscle in the structure of the examined movement pattern. In terms of the values of EMG, a tendency for higher MVC (%) values in most muscles for category A competitors was recorded. The latissimus dorsi (DL RT) muscle with an intergroup difference of MVC-114.63 for cat. A and 67.50 for cat. B at p = 0.039 turned out to play a significant role. The results prove the role of postural muscles: external abdominal oblique and latissimus dorsi on the effectiveness of the attacks executed in wheelchair fencing.