Training After 40: Three Essential Tips for Veteran Fencers
Aging changes the way fencers need to approach training. By 40, the focus shifts from pushing limits to maintaining longevity, efficiency, and resilience. The body undergoes natural changes—hormonal shifts, slower recovery, and increased injury risk—but with a strategic approach, fencers can continue to perform at a high level. Training smarter, prioritizing strength, and focusing on […]
Recovery Strategies for Fencers
Building Performance Between Sessions Recovery is one of the most underestimated components of fencing performance. Many athletes focus on intensity, volume and technical repetition, but adaptation only occurs when the body is given the opportunity to rebuild. Recovery is not the absence of training. It is a structured process that allows strength, speed and coordination […]
The Need for Speed in Fencing
Why Lower Limb Stiffness Matters for Young Fencers Speed is decisive in fencing. The quality of the first step, the sharpness of a lunge, and the ability to re-accelerate after a retreat often determine who controls the exchange. Behind these actions sits a key physical quality: lower limb stiffness. Lower limb stiffness refers to the […]
Maximising Movement Efficiency in Fencing
The Key Role of the Ankles and Hips In fencing, small inefficiencies become big performance limitations. Speed, timing and precision are central to success, but how efficiently a fencer moves determines how consistently those qualities can be expressed. Movement efficiency is the ability to produce the required action with minimal wasted energy and unnecessary tension. […]
Knee Injuries in Fencing
Causes, Rehabilitation Principles and Return to Piste Knee issues are common in fencing, particularly in the lead leg. Patellar tendinopathy, meniscal irritation and, less frequently, non-contact ACL strain are typically linked to repetitive loading rather than single traumatic events. Understanding how the knee functions within fencing biomechanics allows for more effective prevention and rehabilitation. The […]
Fencer’s Pre-Season: How to Approach It
A strong pre-season sets the platform for the entire competitive year. The six to eight weeks before the first competitions are not simply a continuation of fencing practice. They are a targeted opportunity to build the physical qualities that support performance on the piste and protect the athlete during a long season. Pre-season training should […]
Fencer’s Elbow: Why It Happens and How to Prepare for It
Looking Beyond the Pain Elbow discomfort is one of the most frequent overuse issues in fencing. It often presents on the outside or inside of the joint, particularly in the dominant arm, and usually develops gradually rather than through a single incident. However, although the symptoms are local, the cause is rarely just the elbow. […]