On the Biomechanics of the Foil "Flick" - Kinematical Comparison of the Execution in Non-elite and Elite Fencers

Fencing is the only discipline, which was part of all modern Olympic games. Elite fencing is a sport demanding high-end physical performance, top motor control and coordination. In the present study, we investigated the kinematics of execution of a special technique in foil fencing – the flick. This is a rather complex motoric system including the movement of the upper body, the shoulder, the elbow, the wrist and proper bending of the blade. The physics of the flick was described in detail in previous experiments based on the use of a rather bendable