PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND ENERGY EXPENDITURE TO SIMULATED EPEE FENCING IN ELITE FEMALE FENCERS

Abstract

Understanding the physiological and energy expenditure responses required during the unique
nature of fencing is important for the development of training/nutritional programmes for athletes involved in
fencing. This study therefore examined the physiological responses of four elite female epee fencers during a
simulated fencing task. Peak physiological measurements were determined during an incremental exercise test to
exhaustion on a treadmill. In addition, oxygen consumption, heart rate and finger tip blood lactate samples were
taken throughout a series of simulated fencing fights. The fencing fights consisted of 3 x 3 minutes of fencing, with
1 minute rest between each bout. The results demonstrated peak oxygen uptake (47±5 ml·kg·min-1) to be
similar to that of other elite female fencers. High peak energy expenditures were elicited over short exercise
durations (range 10.6–11.4 Kcal·min-1). Low blood lactate levels were evident and possibly due to the
contribution of phosphocreatine for ATP regeneration.