Behind the mask: Attentional focus and coping strategies of elite level fencers.

This study aimed to identify attentional foci and coping strategies of elite fencers during competitive matches, explore the co-occurrences between both, and examine their impact on performance. Twenty-two epeeists (11 males and 11 females) from a national team took part in self-confrontation interviews during two simulated tournaments. Data were analysed using inductive and deductive content analyses.

Visual Search Strategies of Elite Fencers: An Exploratory Study in Ecological Competitive Situation.

This study investigates the visual activity of fencers in conditions resembling official competitions. Previous research in experimental conditions has shown that experts focus on specific areas of the torso and the armed arm to control movement initiation. Eight right-handed fencers (epee: two males, one female; foil: one male; sabre: two males, two females) participated in a simulated competition, wearing an eye tracker during one bout.