March 2025
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48 Reads
Background and Aims: Fencing is a complex sport that highly depends on technique and physical fitness, mainly through the interaction of abilities such as precision, speed, agility, and quick reaction, which significantly impact competitive performance. However, current training methods and approaches for youth fencers still face limitations, including insufficient emphasis on physical training, incomplete understanding of athletes' physical and mental development patterns, and a lack of innovative training methods. These limitations may adversely affect the long-term development of athletes. Therefore, this study aims to develop an ASAQ training program that integrates precision with speed, agility, and quick reaction (SAQ) training to enhance youth fencers' technical skills and physical fitness, thereby improving their competitive performance. Specific objectives include) To conduct an experimental study on the developed program and compare the effectiveness between the experimental group and the control group in terms of physical fitness and fencing skills.2) To compare the effectiveness of the ASAQ training program in improving specific performance aspects of athletes through data analysis, particularly in enhancing lunge accuracy, speed, and reaction times. Methodology: The study sample consisted of 62 young athletes from the Guangzhou Fencing Team, including 35 males (56.45%) and 27 females (43.55%); based on the scores from basic fencing techniques and physical fitness tests, athletes were sequentially numbered from 1 to 62 in descending order of their scores. They were then divided into two groups using systematic sampling: then drawn into the experimental group (n=31) and the control group (n=31). Research tools consisted of the training program, validated at.95 (.60-1.00), an interview form, a physical fitness test, a fencing skill test, and a program evaluation questionnaire. The experiment was operated thrice a week, two hours a day, for eight weeks. The training was conducted thrice weekly, two hours per session, over eight weeks. Data were collected at the pre-test, mid-test, and post-test for fencing skills and at the pre-test and post-test for physical fitness. The experimental and control group’s fencing of skill data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc with LSD. Comparisons of physical fitness between the experimental and control groups at pre-test and post-test were made using independent t-tests. Results： ASAQ training significantly improves the basic skills of young fencers, particularly in precise target attack techniques, footwork speed, lunges, and quick responses during offense and defense. The experimental group outperformed the control group in three physical performance metrics: 15 meters Obstacle Sprint, Jump Ropes in One Minute, and Standing long jump. This showed that the ASAQ training improved speed, agility, coordination, balance, and lower body explosiveness, enhancing fencers' short-distance movement, quick directional changes, and explosive attacks during training and competitions. Conclusion: The findings were as follows: 1) ASAQ could significantly improve the accuracy of target-hitting attack techniques, fencing footwork speed, lunges, and quick reactions during offense and defense of young fencers. It also showed significant improvements in physical qualities such as speed, agility, coordination balance, quick reactions, and lower limb explosive power. 2) The experimental group's post-test was significantly higher than the control group's at.05 on physical fitness and fencing skills. 3) The final interview of experts unanimously affirmed the ASAQ training method's effectiveness in enhancing young fencers' competitive performance. It recognized the practical value of the ASAQ training method. Future studies could integrate objective data such as physiological and biochemical indicators and athletic performance, utilizing scientific tools and equipment like GPS sports tracking systems and other wearable devices for training monitoring to enhance the accuracy of the results.