Introduction: The first chronometric analyses published on fencing were made from the world championships épée 1981 (Lavoie et al., 1984). The measurement of work-to-rest ratios is important when investigating the physiological demands of intermittent sports such as fencing. The aim of this study is to determine the work-to-rest ratio in fencing competition and the temporal structure of the assaults in elite men`s épée. Methods: This was done using an observational methodology based on an open and systematic process. 29 men`s épée assaults were recorded in two World Championships (2013 & 2014). The LINCE v.1.1 (Gabin et al., 2012) software was the recording tool. The Shapiro-Wilks test determined the non-normal distribution of temporal parameters. The differences between periods were analyzed through non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test with pairwise comparison by Mann-Whitney. Results: In the 29 assaults completed, all reached the 2nd period and of these, only five did not reach the 3rd period. The work time is 163,5 s (± 39,3) in the 1st period, 160,2 s(± 36,4) in de 2nd, and 118,8 s (± 59,7) in the 3rd period (3rd period < 1st & 2nd; p<0.05). The rest time in the periods was 131,9 s (± 63,5), 146,1 s (± 81,7), and 169,1 s (± 121,5) respectively. The pause time between periods was, in the three periods of assault, 71,9 s (± 27,5), 80,2 s (± 23,8) and 29,6 s (± 8,8) (3rd period < 1st & 2nd; p<0.001). The average "allez" time in each period was respectively 26,3 s (± 15,1), 21,5 s (± 10,3), and 16,4 s (± 11,6) (3rd period < 1st & 2nd; p<0.001); and the average "halte" time was 16,7s (± 5,2), 18,0 s (± 7,2), and 19,3 s (± 8,1). The total assault time in direct elimination men`s épée was 353,7 s (± 121,2), 367,6 s (± 114,7), and 281,1 s (± 177,9). Discussion: The results of our study determine a work-to-rest ratio of 1:0.9 for men`s epee assaults, similar to the 1:0.6 described by Lavoie et al. (1984) or the 1:1 cited by Roi & Bianchedi (2008). The ratio is similar to the women`s foil (1:1.1) recently described by Wylde et al. (2013), and very different from the values observed in men`s sabre assaults (1:6.5) and female (1:5.1). The work-to-rest ratio analysis data can help the coach identify specific physiological demands for each fencing modality: épée, foil and sabre.
© Copyright 2016 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Vienna, 6. -9. July 2016. Julkaistu Tekijä University of Vienna. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator