This study investigated the effects of a 24-week combined training program (CTP) based on strength exercises and cognitive–motor tasks performed concurrently in participants with multiple sclerosis. A randomized, controlled intervention study was carried out. In total, 31 subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (14 men and 17 women) were stratified and randomized into an intervention group (17 subjects) and a control group (14 subjects). The intervention group completed three weekly training sessions for 24 weeks, while the control group pursued their normal daily activities. In this program, cognitive–motor tasks were completed at once (dual tasking). A 3D photogrammetry connected to a selective attention system designed for dual tasking while walking was used. Ground reaction forces were measured using two force plates, one for sit-to-stand testing, while the other was used for static force measurement. Postural equilibrium was examined using a stabilometric plate based for Romberg test assessment. The 24-week training program for multiple sclerosis patients improved their static peak force by 11% (p < 0 .05), their rate of force development by 36% (p < 0.05), and their balance (p < 0.05). Performance in daily activities such as walking or sitting-to-standing improved significantly in multiple sclerosis participants. CTP training was effective in reducing the dual-task costs of step length (48%) and walking velocity (54%), as compared to a matched control group.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect that the presence of two stimuli that require two different responses (dual‐attention) has both, on offensive reaction‐response time to a light stimulus, and on defensive response time when the stimulus is a real fencing attack. Twenty‐five elite fencers and a fencing master were included in the study. The equipment included four force plates adapted to a scaffold that served as a fencing piste. Two force plates were placed, at the start position, under the fencer's feet and another two plates were placed under the master's feet. The results demonstrate that choice reaction time to visual stimuli increases in dual‐task conditions with respect to simple reaction time, whereas the mean horizontal force tends to decrease in dual‐task. However, when the stimulus was an opponent's movement, dual‐task conditions did not have any effect on the time required to initiate a defensive action. The changes in reaction time when real movements were used as stimuli challenge the validity of the reaction time to visual stimuli paradigm as a predictor of performance in fencing. Also, the results obtained demonstrate that perceptual and attentional processes play a major role in fencer performance in real competition.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of stimulus change timing on reaction response time parameters, horizontal velocity of the centre of mass (CM) and precision during offensive actions in fencing. Twelve fencers from the Spanish National Foil Team were included in the study. Two 500 Hz force plates were used to register the horizontal component of the reaction force while a 3D video camera set at 250 Hz recorded the spatial position of 11 body markers and a projector connected to a programmed stopwatch projected a moving target (stimulus) on a screen. When the circle (target) appeared in the centre of the plastron, fencers had to execute a step-forward-lunge as fast as possible, trying to touch the circle with the tip of the foil. During the lunge, the position of the target could randomly shift or not to three different positions. The stimulus change was performed randomly at four different times with a progressive delay. The results show that target changes did not have any effect when they occurred at the beginning of the movement sequence. However, when the target change was delayed, reaction and movement times increased and the technical execution of the lunge changed, leading to more errors.

Applying the Go/No‐Go paradigm to fencing, we investigated the relationship between the moment at which the No‐Go signal appeared after a movement had been initiated and the time required by fencers to suppress the motor execution of a step‐lunge. Secondarily, we determined a time threshold from which movement inhibition results in an error. The No‐Go stimulus was represented by a real attack movement. 18 elite fencers and a fencing master were included in the study. Four force plates measured the horizontal components of the fencer's and master's reaction forces, which were used to calculate the time components of the attack and the response inhibition process. Also, the velocity and displacement of the master's and fencer's respective centres of mass were estimated using inverse dynamics. In all cases, cognitive inhibition processes were completed after the onset of movement. Movement time was calculated using four time components (muscle activation, muscle deactivation, transition and braking time). The results obtained revealed that cognitive processes were not significantly affected by the timing of the appearance of the No‐Go signal. In contrast, movement time and its time components tended to decrease when the time delay between the No‐Go stimulus and the onset of the fencer's movement increased. In conclusion, any attempt to withhold an attack movement when it has already started leads to an error that increases the risk of being hit by the opponent, especially when attack is inhibited within 150 ms after the movement has started.