a study of anthropometric characteristics and selected physical fitness factors of iranian elite fencers (epee, foil and sabre)

the aim of the present study was to examine anthropometric characteristics and selected physical fitness factors in male elite athletes (epee, foil, sabre) of iran national fencing team. the statistical population consisted of 30 athletes of fencing national team (age range 22.2± 3.67 yr) in the three weapons (epee n=10, foil n=10 and sabre n=10). anthropometric characteristics (sitting height, arm length, body mass index (bmi), body fat percent) and physical fitness factors including aerobic and anaerobic power, muscular strength, speed, agility, flexibility and reaction time were measured. tests were performed in olympic national committee laboratory. data were analyzed by one-way anova test. results showed no significant differences in anthropometric characteristics among fencers, but given physical fitness factors, foil fencers had more muscle strength (long jump) and higher speed (40 yards) and sabre fencers had more hip flexibility in comparison with the other groups.