# Motion Technologies in Support of Fence Athletes: A Systematic Review
## 4 Discussion
### Technological Setup and Biomechanical Models  
The goal in elite sports is often to monitor, assess, and enhance performance by giving feedback to athletes, coaches, and/or sports scientists [43]. Fencing, being a non-contact combat sport, is characterized by the presence of rapid actions, due to defensive or offensive actions, with possible changes of direction at a rapid pace, interspersed with periods of start and stop. These movements typically cause injuries in fencing athletes [44]. [PERSON] conducted a prospective 5-year study that showed that 52% of injuries, reported during national competitions, were strains and strains, 12% contusions, 3.3% fractures, and the remainder involved injuries affecting knee joint the most [44]. The majority of injuries (63%) occurred in the lower extremities, primarily affecting the knee, followed by the thigh and ankle areas. The two most often affected areas above the hip were the back, notably the lumbar region, and the fingers [44]. Performing the lunge movement correctly is essential to prevent injuries. Speed, explosive strength, and movement coordination pattern all significantly affect fencers' performances [45]. According to [PERSON] et al., coaches typically tailor programs to a fencer's skills, sex, and age based on their experience or personal knowledge rather than on objective data [46]. Thus, [PERSON] et al. argued for the creation of evidence-based training programs that consider a fencer's biomechanics, physiological needs, and physiological status to prevent injuries [46]. The injury risk is influenced by different factors such as gender and category level (elite/novice) [47]. By reporting on the influence of gender, injury rates were greater among female fencers (29-44%, average: 36%) than among male fencers (22-32%, average: 27%) [44]. In particular, female fencers may be more prone to anterior cruciate ligament injuries than male fencers due to an increased dynamic Q-angle caused by greater hip adduction and knee abduction [24]. Looking at category-level differences, elite fencers exhibit greater coordination of movement according to joint kinematics and muscle activation pattern. Considering joint kinematics, elite fencers' lunge movement presents the proximal-to-distal coupling of upper and lower limb motion, which guarantees an efficient transformation of the joint segmental angular velocity of the lower limb into the maximal linear velocity of the center of mass. Furthermore, elites begin luming by extending the armed arm, activating the corresponding Anterior Deltoid, and then raising the anterior foot. This is known as the proximal-to-distal sequence for muscle activation. Overall, compared to novices, elite fencers showed better-coordinated muscle synergies of the upper and lower limbs. These synergies were defined by the sequential activation of the forelimbs and then the hip and knee extensors of the rear lower limb [45]. These muscle synergies were characterized by the sequential activation of the shoulder/elbow extensors of the armed upper limb and the hip/knee extensors of the rear lower limb, followed by the activation of the anterior limb during the lunge. The elites showed the ability to maintain this activation pattern almost invariant, despite, the changing actions of the opponents, whereas the muscle activation patterns of the novice fencers were more inconsistent, with frequent pauses in movement [45]. Therefore, while elite fencers can precisely adjust muscle activation patterns to optimize attacking (lunge) efficiency without deviating from the \"correct\" kinematic pattern, novice fencers may not have consolidated neuromuscular strategies for complex and multi-segmental movements [45]. Indeed, studies have revealed that a routine of just fencing training does not increase muscle strength and coordination. Ballistic training is advised to increase the rate of muscular force, with the majority of the benefits appearing in the first 200 to 300 ms of a single lunge movement.