Physiological Profiling and Energy System Contributions During Simulated Epée Matches in Elite Fencers

Nutrition for European Elite Fencers: A Practical Tool for Coaches and Athletes

The aim of this narrative review is to create a comprehensive, innovative, and pragmatic resource to guide elite fencers and coaches in making strategic nutritional choices to enhance performance and facilitate recovery. The literature review identified only 12 articles specifically addressing the topic of nutrition for fencers. Thus, the recommendations provided in this review derive also from articles dealing with similar sports, such as martial arts, and from investigations with European elite fencers and their coaches. For elite fencers, it is suggested to consume daily 7-11 g/kg of body weight (BW) of carbohydrates and 1.5-2 g/kg of BW of proteins and allocate 25% to 30% of the total energy intake to essential fats, with a specific focus on omega-3 fatty acids. The timing of meals, ideally within one hour after exertion, plays a pivotal role in restoring glycogen reserves and preventing injuries. The intake of leucine, creatine, omega-3, collagen, and vitamins C and D is proposed as a strategy for injury recovery. It is worth acknowledging that even when personalized plans are provided, implementation can be challenging, especially during competitions and training camps.

Fatigue in elite fencing: Effects of a simulated competition

The fatigue induced by fencing remains scarcely investigated. We aimed to investigate both objective (neuromuscular performance fatigability) and subjective (perceived fatigue, effort, and workload) manifestations of fatigue in elite fencers following a five-bout simulated competition. Changes in countermovement jump height, knee extensors maximal isometric torque, rate of torque development, voluntary activation, and contractile response to muscular electrical stimulation were measured in 29 elite fencers [12 epee (6 women), 11 saber (5 women), and 6 foil]. Perceived fatigue and effort were evaluated with visual analog scales, and the perceived workload with the NASA Task Load Index scale. During the competition, maximal torque and rate of torque development decreased by 1.6% (p = 0.017) and 2.4% (p < 0.001) per bout, respectively. Perceived fatigue before each bout increased (12% per bout), with similar values observed at the end of all bouts (bout × period interaction: p < 0.001). Perceived effort increased during the bouts (10% per period, p < 0.001) and during the competition (3% per bout, p = 0.011). Perceived mental demand increased during the competition (2% per bout, p = 0.024). These results suggest that elite fencers needed to increase the allocation of mental rather than physical resources to the task to counterbalance the deleterious effect of fatigue on performance.

Applied high-intensity interval cardio yoga improves cardiometabolic fitness, energetic contributions, and metabolic flexibility in healthy adults

Purpose: Currently, there is no interventional approach to increase the intensity of Surya Namaskar a popular hatha yoga sequence used worldwide. Therefore, this study investigated how tempo-based high-intensity interval cardio yoga (HIICY) and traditional interval hatha yoga (TIHY) affects cardiometabolic fitness in active adults. Methods: Twenty physically active male and female individuals were randomly separated into HIICY (5 males, 5 females, 1.5 s tempo) and TIHY (5 males, 5 females, 3 s tempo) groups. The intervention included twelve exercise sessions for 4 weeks in both groups. Participants conducted a ramp test to determine their maximal oxygen uptake (V ˙ O2max), maximal velocity at V ˙ O2max (vV ˙ O2max), and maximal heart rate (HRmax). Afterward, they performed a 10-min high-intensity cardio yoga test (HICYT) to determine heart rate (HRpeak and HRmean), oxygen uptake (V ˙ O2peak and V ˙ O2mean), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), blood lactate concentrations (La- peak and ∆La-), fat and carbohydrate oxidations (FATox, CHOox), and energetic contributions (oxidative; W Oxi, glycolytic; W Gly, and phosphagen; W PCr, total energy demand; W Total). Results: V ˙ O2max and vV ˙ O2max showed time and group × time interactions (p < 0.01, p < 0.0001, p < 0.001, respectively). V ˙ O2max after HIICY was significantly higher than in pre-testing and following TIHY (p < 0.001, p < 0.0001, respectively). V ˙ O2peak, V ˙ O2mean, RER, HRpeak, and HRmean during the 10-min HICYT showed significant time effects (p < 0.05). ∆La- indicated a group × time interaction (p < 0.05). Group x time interaction effects for FATox at the fourth and sixth minute were observed (p < 0.05, respectively). Absolute (kJ) and relative (%) W Oxi, W Gly, and W Total showed time and group × time interaction effects (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, %W Gly was reduced following HIICY (p < 0.05). Additionally, V ˙ O2max and vV ˙ O2max were highly correlated with W Oxi in kJ (r = 0.91, 0.80, respectively). Moderate to high correlations were observed among CHOox, FATox, and absolute V ˙ O2max (r = 0.76, 0.62, respectively). Conclusion: A 4-week period of HIICY improved cardiometabolic fitness, oxidative capacity, and metabolic flexibility compared with TIHY, in physically active adults. Therefore, HIICY is suitable as HY-specific HIIT and time-efficient approach for relatively healthy individuals.

Temporal demands of elite fencing

There is no published study that analyses the temporal demands of fencing, in its six Olympic modalities in the same high-level competition. The only existing publications date back decades, with already obsolete regulations, or focus on a specific modality. The aim of this study is to carry out a chronometric analysis of elite fencing at the 2014 Fencing World Championships to determine the existence of differences between its weapons (épée, foil and sabre) and between genders. A total of 96 elite fencers (48 women) of 24 different nationalities were analysed in the final rounds (direct elimination). We undertook observational methodology based on an open and systematic process with ideographic, point and multi-dimensional design. We analysed the work time, rest time, total time, number of stops and work-to-rest ratio. The Lince software was used to record and analyse video data. The coding and recording process of the 83 fights analysed generated a matrix of 5900 records. The quality of the data was verified by checking the validity of the observation instrument and the intraobserver reliability. The mean work time (between Allez and Halte) was 17.9 ± 3.1 s for épée, 5.8 ± 2.5 s for foil and 1 .7 ± 0.4 s for sabre. The fight work-to-rest ratios recorded were 1:0.9, 1:2.6 and 1:9.2 for épée, foil and sabre respectively. The results showed significant differences (p < .05) in the work and rest times between the three fencing weapons. However, there were no differences between fencers of the same weapon according to gender.

A modified formula using energy system contributions to calculate pure maximal rate of lactate accumulation during a maximal sprint cycling test

Purpose: This study aimed at comparing previous calculating formulas of maximal lactate accumulation rate ( ν La.max) and a modified formula of pure ν La.max (P ν La.max) during a 15-s all-out sprint cycling test (ASCT) to analyze their relationships. Methods: Thirty male national-level track cyclists participated in this study (n = 30) and performed a 15-s ASCT. The anaerobic power output (Wpeak and Wmean), oxygen uptake, and blood lactate concentrations (La-) were measured. These parameters were used for different calculations of ν La.max and three energy contributions (phosphagen, W PCr; glycolytic, W Gly; and oxidative, W Oxi). The P ν La.max calculation considered delta La-, time until Wpeak (tPCr-peak), and the time contributed by the oxidative system (tOxi). Other ν La.max levels without tOxi were calculated using decreasing time by 3.5% from Wpeak (tPCr -3.5%) and tPCr-peak. Results: The absolute and relative W PCr were higher than W Gly and W Oxi (p < 0.0001, respectively), and the absolute and relative W Gly were significantly higher than W Oxi (p < 0.0001, respectively); ν La.max (tPCr -3.5%) was significantly higher than P ν La.max and ν La.max (tPCr-peak), while ν La.max (tPCr-peak) was lower than P ν La.max (p < 0.0001, respectively). P ν La.max and ν La.max (tPCr-peak) were highly correlated (r = 0.99; R 2 = 0.98). This correlation was higher than the relationship between P ν La.max and ν La.max (tPCr -3.5%) (r = 0.87; R 2 = 0.77). ν La.max (tPCr-peak), P ν La.max, and ν La.max (tPCr -3.5%) were found to correlate with absolute Wmean and W Gly. Conclusion: P ν La.max as a modified calculation of ν La.max provides more detailed insights into the inter-individual differences in energy and glycolytic metabolism than ν La.max (tPCr-peak) and ν La.max (tPCr -3.5%). Because W Oxi and W PCr can differ remarkably between athletes, implementing their values in P ν La.max can establish more optimized individual profiling for elite track cyclists.

Effects of Low- and High-Frequency Cardiac Rehabilitation on Risk Factors, Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Women with Coronary Heart Disease

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a system that comprehensively manages risk factors to reduce the recurrence rate after cardiovascular disease treatment. This study compared the effects of home-based low-frequency CR (1-2 times/week) and center-based high-frequency CR (3-5 times/week) for 12 weeks. This study was conducted as an observational case-control study. Ninety women, ages 45 to 60, who underwent coronary artery stenting were enrolled. Measurement variables were waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglycerides (TG), glucose, VO₂ peak, body composition, and quality of life. Significant changes were observed in systolic BP, TC, LDLC, TG, VO₂ peak, exercise duration, and quality of life in both groups. However, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, HDLC, and blood glucose only exhibited significant changes with HFT. The interaction effects according to time and group were as follows: systolic BP, waist circumference, body fat, BMI, HDLC, and glucose (p < 0.05). Therefore, in CR participants, HFT improved more than LFT on obesity factors, HDLC, and glucose change. As well as center-based HFT, home-based LFT also improved risk factors for cardiovascular disease, fitness, and quality of life. For female patients who have difficulty visiting the CR center frequently, home-based LFT may be a CR program that can be presented as an alternative.

Energy System Contributions during Olympic Combat Sports: A Narrative Review

This narrative review focuses on the studies that estimate the energy systems' contributions during match simulations of striking (boxing, karate, and taekwondo), grappling (judo), and weapon-based (fencing) Olympic combat sports. The purpose is to provide insights into the metabolism of these athletes. In striking Olympic combat sports, the oxidative contribution varied from 62% (in karate and taekwondo) to 86% (in boxing), the ATP-PCr system contribution varied from 10% (in boxing) to 31% (in taekwondo), and the glycolytic contribution was between 3% (in the third round of taekwondo) and 21% (in karate). In grappling combat sports, only judo was studied, and for a 4 min match, the oxidative contribution was 79%, followed by 14% ATP-PCr system contribution and 7% contribution from the glycolytic system. In fencing, the only weapon-based Olympic combat sport, the oxidative contribution varied from 81% (in the first bout) to 90% (in the second bout), followed by 9% (bout 2) to 12% (bout 1) contribution from the ATP-PCr system, and 0.6% to 7% contribution from the glycolytic system during 3 × 3 min bouts of épée match simulation. Hence, Olympic combat sports are primarily powered by the oxidative system, but the key scoring actions are likely fueled by anaerobic pathways.

Energetic Contributions Including Gender Differences and Metabolic Flexibility in the General Population and Athletes

Metabolic flexibility includes the ability to perform fat and carbohydrate oxidation, as well as oxidative capacity, which is associated with mitochondrial function, energetic contributions, and physical health and performance. During a session of graded incremental exercise testing (GIET), we investigated metabolic flexibility, the contributions of three energy systems, and performances of individuals with different metabolic characteristics. Fifteen general population (GP; n = 15, male n = 7, female n = 8) and 15 national-level half-marathon and triathlon athletes (A; n = 15, male n = 7, female n = 8) participated in this study. During GIET, heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (V˙O_2mean and V˙CO_2mean), metabolic equivalents (METs) in V˙O_2mean, and blood glucose and lactate concentrations (La⁻) were measured. Furthermore, jogging/running speeds (S) at specific La⁻, fat and carbohydrate oxidations (FATox and CHOox), and energetic contributions (oxidative; W_Oxi, glycolytic; W_Gly, and phosphagen; W_PCr) were calculated. The percentages of HR_max, relative V˙O_2mean, V˙CO_2mean, and METs in V˙O_2mean were all lower in A than they were in GP. FATox values were lower in GP than in A, while CHOox and La⁻ were higher in GP than in A. Negative correlations between La⁻ and FATox were also observed in both groups. Contributions of W_Oxi, W_Gly, and W_PCr were higher in GP than in A during GIET. Moreover, values of W_Gly, and W_PCr were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in male GP than in female GP. Furthermore, S at specific La⁻ were higher in A than in GP. It is suggested that an individualized low-intensity recovery exercise program be established, to achieve increased metabolic flexibility and oxidative capacity (aerobic base), such as public health improvements and a greater volume of higher exercise intensities; this is the type of exercise that elite athletes worldwide mostly perform during their training period and progression. This may prevent cardiac/metabolic diseases in GP.