In fencing, does intensive practice equally improve the speed performance of the touche when it is performed alone and in combination with the lunge?

Global movements are generally composed of several simple movements. In this study we tested the hypothesis that the effects of practice on the performance of a simple movement cannot be highlighted when it is performed alone but only when it is part of a global movement. For this purpose we examined the performance of the touche movement in fencing, in terms of maximal speed of the foil, when it is performed alone and in combination with the lunge. The touche can be assimilated to a pointing task towards a target while the lunge can be assimilated to a forward stepping movement. Four international class fencers and five novices were tested. The results show that 1) the performance in the isolated touche condition was comparable between the two test populations, 2) the performance was higher in the expert population compared to the novice population in the sequential touche + lunge condition, and 3) the velocity of the centre of mass at the time of the peak velocity of the touche was higher in the expert population than in the novice population in the sequential touche + lunge condition. In line with Bernstein's concepts on the effects of practice on motor control it is suggested that the experts exploit to advantage the forces developed during the lunge whereas the novices do not.