This study aimed to examine the change in body-specific attention in fencing players and explore the relationship between body-specific attention and fencing performance.
Fourteen universities fencing players were recruited in this study. Visual detection tasks were used to measure body-specific attention. We measured reaction times to visual stimuli on or off the self-body while subjects placed their hand which is usually hold the sword either on the left side or right side (hand straight condition, hand cross condition). The index of the body-specific attention score was calculated by subtracting the reaction time on the self-body from that off one. Motor performance in fencing was measured a target task while players aimed a fencing sword at a target in front of them, and the distance from the target to the point of sword was recorded.
Two-way repeated ANOVA showed a statistically significant interaction (visual stimuli on or off the self-body versus hand position) and post hoc analysis showed the reaction time to visual stimuli on the self-body was significantly faster than that off one only in hand cross condition. A negative correlation was identified between the index of body-specific attention score in hand cross condition and the distance from the target to the point of sword.
Body-specific attention appears to be enhanced in fencing players with high motor performance.
Interventions aimed at facilitating body-specific attention may be effective to improving motor performance in athletes.
motor performance
fencing
