Author(s): KONTOCHRISTOPOULOS, N., BOGDANIS, G.C., PARADISIS, G.P., TSOLAKIS, C., Institution: NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS, Country: GREECE, Abstract-ID: 519

INTRODUCTION:
Rate of force development and power output are crucial in combat sports (Turner et al., 2020). Fencing actions are executed in <300ms, confirming the importance of neural factors and intrinsic muscle properties during the initial phase of contraction. Force Velocity Profile (FVP) in adolescent fencers can therefore allow the exploration of their neuromuscular function limits, since adult fencers differed significantly from their optimal FVP (Giroux et al., 2016).
METHODS:
Eighteen fencers (age: 14.6±1.1 years, maturity offset (MO): 1.18±1.38 years, training experience (TE): 7.5±2.1 years) carried out, anthropometric, countermovement jump (CMJ), long jump (LJ), 5m sprint (S5) and change of direction fencing test (COD). Measured and optimal FVP were evaluated via unloaded and loaded squat jumps (SJ) of 20, 40 and 60% body weight. Best trial with each load was retained for the FVP assessment through a linear computation model (Samozino et al., 2008). Maximal theoretical measured and optimal force (F0 & F0th), velocity (V0 & V0th) and FVP slope (Sfv & Sfvopt), maximal power output (Pmax) and force-velocity imbalance (FVimb) were computed. Angle of optimal FVP slope was set at 30°, which corresponds to the push-off angle during lunge execution (Giroux et al., 2016). Depended variables T-test was used to investigate differences between FVP measured and optimal mechanical outputs. Pearson correlation (bivariate and partial controlling MO and TE) coefficients (r) was used to evaluate relationships of FVP mechanical outputs with anthropometric measurements and performance tests. Significance was set at p<.05.
RESULTS:
Significant differences were revealed between measured and optimal force (28.36±5.31 vs 41.4±7.69 N/Kg, t=-6.06, d=-1.97, p<.001), velocity (4.41±1.63 vs 2.87±0.39 m/s, t=4.962, d=1.3, p<.001) and slope (-7.47±3.39 vs -14.42±24.44 N*s/m*kg, t=7.699, d=2.57, p<.001). Bivariate correlations showed significant relationship of TE with FVimb (r=.479, p<.05) and body fat with Pmax, F0th and V0th (r=-.520~-.554, p<.05). Performance tests except S5 were significantly correlated with V0th (r=-.567~.768, p<.02) and Pmax (r=-.607~.608, p<.01). F0th was correlated only with SJ (r=.511, p<.05) and COD (r=-.605, p<.01). Partial correlations, enhanced the aforementioned correlations revealing a new one between LJ and F0th (r=.526, p<.05).
CONCLUSION:
Adolescent fencers’ FVP differed significantly (force and velocity) from their optimal one. Performance correlations with Pmax, highlights its crucial role in sports like fencing. Since most of the fencers had a high force deficit and their performance correlated only with F0th and V0th, training must enhance their force qualities in order to optimize their gains. Partial correlations revealed the crucial role of MO and TE on moderating fencers’ neuromuscular performance during adolescence.
1. Turner et al., (2020) 2. Giroux et al., (2016) 3. Samozino et al., (2008)