- Cerebellum: located at the back base of the brain, the cerebellum is responsible for balance and movement coordination. Fencers need a healthy and robust cerebellum for hand-eye and hand-foot coordination, as well as fast reflexes and accurate hits.
- Basal Ganglia: the basal ganglia assists with motor control and voluntary movement.
- Motor Cortex: The motor cortex, located in the middle of the brain, is responsible for voluntary motions like arm extensions or lunges. In fencers, a strong motor cortex improves limb control and precision. Reaction times also decrease with motor cortex development.
- Prefrontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex is involved in rational thinking and decision-making, short-term-memory, and attention. Good fencers need good focus and strategy; good focus and strategy require a practiced prefrontal cortex.
- Hippocampus: The hippocampus is involved in memory and spatial orientation and navigation. Both of these functions are crucial for fencers, as they help with adapting to opponents and distance changes.
It is important to incorporate targeted practice that strengthen these brain functions in addition to a regular athletic training. Even if it is not directly fencing-related, working out your brain will inevitably lead to improvements.
Fencing from your brain's POINT of view 