Optimal Instructions to Maximize Attack Efficiency in Beginners and Experienced Fencers

in Motor Control

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Marko Milic University of Belgrade

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Danica Janicijevic University of Belgrade

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Aleksandar Nedeljkovic University of Belgrade

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Ivan Cuk Singidunum University

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Milos Mudric University of Belgrade

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Amador García-Ramos University of Granada
Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/mc.2020-0065
Keywords:
accuracy of the attack; reaction time; velocity of the attack
First Published Online:
21 Dec 2020
In Print:
Volume 25: Issue 2
Page Range:
153–166
Restricted access

This study aimed to determine the instruction that maximizes fencing attack performance and to explore the sensitivity of a novel efficiency index (EI) that considers reaction time, attack velocity, and absolute error to discriminate between beginners and experienced fencers. Instructions that directed attentional focus internally (react as fast as possible and perform the attack movement as fast as possible) or externally (be as accurate as possible) were provided prior to stimulus presentation. The EI did not differ between the instructions in any group (p > .05), the instructions “react as fast as possible” and “be as accurate as possible” promoted in beginners the highest and the lowest EI, and the EI was higher for fencers. Our findings suggest that the EI could be recommended as a general index of fencing attack efficiency.

Milic, Janicijevic, Nedeljkovic, and Mudric are with the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, The Research Centre, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. Cuk is with the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports Management, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia. García-Ramos is with the Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; and the Department of Sports Sciences and Physical Conditioning, Faculty of Education, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile.

Janicijevic (jan.danica@gmail.com) is corresponding author.
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