Shoe choice may affect fencing lunge attack performance.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Science
• Athletic Footwear

Background:

• Fencing requires explosive movements, placing significant stress on lower limbs.
• Specialized fencing shoes (FS) may offer performance and injury prevention benefits over standard court shoes (CS).
• The role of heel cups in fencing shoes (FSH) for impact reduction is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare attack time and lower limb biomechanics during fencing lunges using FS, FSH, and CS.
• To determine if FSH can mitigate lower limb impact forces compared to FS and CS.

Main Methods:

• Thirteen elite female collegiate fencers performed lunges in randomized order wearing FS, FSH, or CS.
• A 3D motion analysis system and force plate captured biomechanical data.
• Attack time was measured using a synchronized signal light and accelerometer.

Main Results:

• Attack time was significantly shorter with FS and FSH compared to CS.
• FS increased peak knee and ankle shear forces and front foot loading rate; FSH significantly reduced these impacts.
• Ankle plantarflexion velocity was slower in FS and FSH, indicating altered push-off mechanics.

Conclusions:

• Fencing shoes enhance lunge performance by reducing attack time.
• Fencing shoes with a heel cup effectively reduce lower limb impact forces during lunges.
• FSH offers a potential advantage for injury prevention by mitigating high impact forces.