The effect of mental speed exercises on some motor skills in performing counter-attacks in fencing.

Abstract

Fencing is one of the sports that requires special and skillful motor abilities, which the fencer needs directly in most of their movements, especially in counter and counter-counter movements during defense and attack between competitors to score touches on the legal target. Therefore, the study aimed to: 1. Prepare special exercises characterized by mental speed (discrimination, anticipation, and reaction) in foil fencing. 2. Identify the impact of mental speed exercises on some motor abilities in performing counter-attacks in foil fencing. The experimental method was used on a deliberately selected sample of students participating in the college team.In fencing, with a total of 14 female students. The sample was randomly divided into two groups (experimental group and control group), with seven students in each group. Then, homogeneity and equivalence were conducted in the pre-tests to start from the same baseline. The researcher utilized 10-12 minutes from the main section to implement the specific exercises, separating the experimental group from the control group. The experimental group performed specific exercises focusing on reaction time, discrimination, and anticipation speed using auxiliary tools. Meanwhile, the control group performed different exercises aimed at general speed development without focusing on reaction time, discrimination, and anticipation speed, and without using any tools except for the weapon. After the time was up, the groups were merged.The two groups to complete the remaining components of the training units. After completing the exercises, post-tests were conducted, and the results were statistically processed using the SSSS system. The researcher concluded that the specific exercises (mental speed) within a training program improved the motor skills and counter-attack abilities of the experimental group better than the control group. Therefore, she recommends using the specific exercises (mental speed) to develop other special motor and physical abilities in fencing. Additionally, efforts should be made to create tests for mental speed and then work on developing them in specific exercises.