Sport specific tests play an important role for improving athletic performance. However, fencing does not have a sport specific test for assessing physiological responses that can provide information on training or detraining status. Such tests need to be developed. PURPOSE: To compare two forms of aerobic testing across three classifications of elite fencers to determine if any difference exits when measuring heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). METHODS: Thirty male fencers (10 foil, 10 epee, and 10 saber) performed a multi stage incremental treadmill test with gas exchange measurement; and six two-minutes stages of an incremental forward and backward fencing step test. The first stage of each test was used as a warm-up. HR and RPE were measured during each stage. RESULTS: Comparison of fencers groups on HR during both tests revealed saber fencers were significantly higher than epee and foil fencers. HRs during the second (133.70 ± 17.92), third (148.53 ± 18.39), fourth (163.83 ± 13.54), fifth (178.21 ± 11.24), and sixth (189.24 ± 08.77) stages of the fencing step test, however, were significantly lower than those on VO2 max test stages (156.03 ± 13.00, 166.73 ± 10.83, 178.17 ± 10.89, 186.28 ± 10.85, and 193.14 ± 09.50 respectively). A linear relationship between the HR and the RPE was obtained by both the VO2 max test and the fencing step test. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that HR and RPE responses support the hypothesis that a sports-specific test conducted in the field can provide objective physiological responses to assess sport-specific stress and training status.