Neuromuscular coordination and motor adaptability in the fencing lunge and attack: a PRISMA 2020-guided systematic review
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Published: September 7, 2026
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Page: 1524-1538
Abstract
Competitive fencing is a rapid, open-skill combat sport in which offensive success depends on precise organisation, timing, and adaptability of whole-body movement rather than speed alone. This systematic review synthesised empirical evidence on neuromuscular coordination, movement variability, and motor adaptability during fencing lunges and attacks. The review followed PRISMA 2020 and used PICOS-based eligibility criteria for English-language, peer-reviewed empirical quantitative studies of competitive fencers, including able-bodied and wheelchair fencers, that examined movement, motor control, coordination, or adaptability of the lunge/attack. Searches of Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect identified 712 records published across 2000-2026; 20 studies were included after screening and full-text assessment. Study quality was appraised with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) 2018. Because the included studies were heterogeneous in population, weapon, task, measurement, and outcome, findings were synthesised narratively using thematic coding rather than quantitative meta-analysis. Across the corpus, expertise was associated with earlier anticipatory and postural adjustments, more efficient muscular sequencing, greater rear-leg propulsion, and stronger capacity to correct ongoing actions under uncertainty. Movement variability appears functional rather than merely error, but standardised variability metrics are lacking. Future research should prioritise longitudinal and intervention designs, broader para-fencing evidence, and standardised biomechanical reporting.
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