Kinematics Analysis of Lunge Fencing Using Stereophotogrametry

The purpose of the present study was to cinematically analyze fencing lunge in two groups of elite and novice athletes. Eight right-handed fencers (foil-male) were selected from Sharif University’s fencing team (novice group, mean 21.5±1.3 years) and Iranian national fencing team (Elite group, mean 24±2.5 years) and were tested in two different days following installing of markers over subjects' joints. They performed fencing lunge, facing three high speed Kinemetrix cameras. The results showed that the elite group had a higher mean lunge length than the novice group (1.17±0.17m vs. with 1.02±0.1 m). Studying the affecting factors, it was noticed that the elite group inclined their bodies (0.117±0.04 m) more towards their front legs than novice group (0.051±0.30) in on-guard position. Investigation of the joints angular motion revealed that the initial knee flexion in elite group (mean 20±12 deg) was less than novice group (mean 38±15 deg) but their following extension in the middle phase of motion (mean 51±9 deg) was considerably larger (mean 18±8 deg). The angular motion of the hip joints of 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 precedes the leg motion, it was observed that the armed hand and leg moved simultaneously in elite group. Our results emphasize the necessity of strengthening the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, in addition to accurate observation of the lower limbs motion pattern, to achieve a longer lunge.