The physicality of lightsaber combat is part of the reason why the French Fencing Federation threw its support behind the sport and are now equipping fencing clubs with lightsabers and training would-be lightsaber instructors.

Lightsabres are one of the more popular elements of the Star Wars films.

Like virtuous Jedi knights, the French federation sees itself as combating a Dark Side: The sedentary habits of 21st-century life that are affecting the health of ever-growing numbers of adults and children.

"With young people today, it's a real public health issue. They don't do any sport and only exercise with their thumbs," said Serge Aubailly, the federation secretary general.

"It's becoming difficult to (persuade them to) do a sport that has no connection with getting out of the sofa and playing with one's thumbs. That is why we are trying to create a bond between our discipline and modern technologies, so participating in a sport feels natural."