Validity and Reliability of a Light-Based Electronic Target for Testing Response Time in Fencers
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Andrea De Giorgio [1] ; Enzo Iuliano [1] ; Anthony N. Turner [2] ; Carlo Millevolte [1] ; Drazen Cular ; Luca P. Ardigò ; Johnny Padulo
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[1] Department of Psychology, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy
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[2] London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
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- Localización: Journal of strength and conditioning research: the research journal of the NSCA, ISSN 1064-8011, Vol. 35, Nº. 9, 2021, págs. 2636-2644
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
Response time (RT) is a fencing fundamental sensorimotor skill. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine the efficacy of a light-based electronic target in fencers, designed to measure and train this entity. Ninety-five fencers (M = 53; F = 42) were tested in regard to their RT, using a light-based electronic target, for 3 different attack types: simple attack, the lunge, and an attack after a 1.5-m thrust. All subjects were divided into elite vs. novice fencers. Elite fencers had national and international rankings, and were again divided with regard to used weapon: epeeists (n = 32; M = 19; F = 13) and foilists (n = 30; M = 13; F = 17). Measurement was evaluated for validity/reliability, sensitivity/specificity, and correlation. Reliability was high for all attack types (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.94-0.96). Lower RTs were found in males for 2 attack types with good sensitivity (81-93%)/specificity (50-91%) for all attack types. Elite fencers responded faster than novice fencers for all attack types (p < 0.001), whereas elite males were faster than females for 2 attack types (p < 0.01). Lower RTs in females correlated with level for one attack type (r = 0.797, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the light-based electronic target system was found to be highly reliable and therefore could be used by fencing athletes as a further measure of performance.
