Towards a selection and guidance system for potential fencing talents transitioning to high performance
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Abstract
Introduction: Cuban fencing faces the challenge of optimizing the transition of selected talents to the foil, épée, and sabre disciplines, a process currently based more on logistical than scientific criteria.
Objective: To characterize the specific performance models for each weapon based on its competitive demands, as a foundation for a future system of guiding potentially talented fencers toward high performance in Cuba.
Materials and methods: A descriptive study with a mixed-methods approach was conducted, employing document analysis of the International Fencing Federation's regulations (2022-2023) and a systematic literature review (2017-2025) in the PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO databases. Copello Janjaque's ten indicators were applied to characterize the competitive activity of each weapon, and findings from 28 international and 13 national authors were triangulated.
Results: Differentiated multidimensional profiles were constructed for foil (35% greater accuracy, 200 ms faster visual processing, strategic patience), épée (15-20% shorter reaction times, expanded functional field of vision, 68% of touches on counterattacks), and sabre (predominant explosive power, complex segmental coordination, 72% of offensive actions). Fourteen creative and ten functional discriminant indicators were identified for each weapon.
Conclusions: Performance models for each weapon reveal substantially different physical, cognitive, and psychological demands that scientifically justify the need for specialized guidance, establishing the theoretical and methodological foundation for designing a well-founded allocation system that optimizes talent distribution in Cuban high-performance sports.
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