Physical and Performance Indicators of Fencers Competing in Saber: A Correlational Study

This study examines the relationship between physical characteristics and athletic performance among athletes competing in the saber discipline of fencing. Conducted at the Tim Morehouse Fencing Club in New York, USA, the research involved 33 male athletes (mean age: 12.26±1.21 years; mean height: 151.30±12.85 cm). Physical attributes such as height, along with performance indicators including agility, flexibility, 2-meter lunge speed, vertical jump, and horizontal jump performance, were assessed. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Normality was tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and correlations were examined using Spearman correlation analysis. Significant relationships were identified between physical characteristics and athletic performance. A positive correlation was found between agility and vertical jump performance, suggesting that increased agility enhances jumping ability. Conversely, a negative correlation between lunge speed and flexibility indicates that greater flexibility is associated with slower lunge speed.