Epidemiology of time-loss injuries in international fencing: a prospective, 5-year analysis of Fédération Internationale d’Escrime competitions

Abstract

ObjectivesThe study aimed to determine the risk of time-loss injuries in international fencing and to characterise their type, location, severity and mechanism. Variations in risk associated with sex and discipline categories are also examined.MethodsData on participation and withdrawal due to injury from 809 competitions comprising the major events of the 2010–2014 seasons (inclusive) for the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime were compiled from official results. Athletes who withdrew due to injury sustained in each competition were contacted individually to obtain follow-up information including time lost from fencing participation (practice/competition) and sequelae.ResultsA total of 176 injuries were recorded from 637 776 athlete exposures (AEs) in 85 686 participants (men=47 869; women=37 817) over the study period, for an overall incidence of 0.28/1000 AEs (95% CI 0.24 to 0.32). Men had significantly greater risk than women (RR=1.42, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.94); épée had a significantly lower risk than foil or sabre (RR=0.52, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.76; RR=0.47, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.69, respectively). The majority of injuries were sprains (40.8%) and strains (20.1%), which occurred in the lower extremities (72.4%); ankle sprains were the most common specific injury (25.3%). Intrinsic effort of the fencer (non-contact injury) was the most common mechanism related to a time-loss injury (47.1% of cases). The overall median time loss was 4 weeks; 32.1% of the injuries involved 2 weeks or less away from fencing participation.ConclusionThe data indicate that the risk of time-loss injury in international fencing is very low and primarily involves sprains and strains in the lower extremity.

Prevalence of Knee Injury in East Java’s Puslatda Fencing Athletes

“…However, it is not always the case. In relation to fencing, it is found that senior athletes experience more injuries than any other age class, but there is no significant influence between age and injury incidence 3 .…”

“…This study has concluded that knee pain and injury history are associated with new knee injuries. 10 In relation to fencing, Harmer 3 states that intensification of the injury history is associated with 27.6% of recorded injuries. In line with that, Prakash and Sinha 6 have found that out of 14 injured athletes, 28.5% have previous injuries.…”

“…1 Other studies have also found that knees are one of the most, if not the most common sites of injury in fencing athletes. 2,3 Based on documentary analysis study conducted on DKI Jakarta's Pelatda PON XVII athletes, injury prevalence increased in the span of 3 years from 2009-2012 in accordance with the addition of sport into Pelatda program and the increase in exercise intensity. 4 In another study, Junaidi has found that 30% of DKI Jakarta's athletes who participate in PON XIX suffer injuries.…”

Lower Extremity Lunge Biomechanics in Fencing

“…Lunge, arka taraftaki alt ekstremite plantar fleksörleri ve kalça/diz ekstansörleri ile ön taraftaki alt ekstremitede kalça fleksörleri ve diz ekstansörlerinin koordineli bir şekilde çalışmasıyla meydana gelmektedir. Lunge sırasında en çok ayak bileği plantar fleksörleri ile diz ekstansörlerinin aktivite gösterdiği ve arka taraftaki alt ekstremitede en fazla kas aktivitesinin sırasıyla plantar fleksörler, diz ekstansörleri ve kalça abduktörlerinde olduğu görülmüştür (Morris ve diğerleri, 2011 (Harmer, 2019). Ayrıca kadın eskrim sporcularında yaralanma prevalansının erkeklerden daha yüksek olduğu da belirtilmektedir (Chen ve diğerleri, 2017;Harmer, 2008 (Sinclair ve Bottoms, 2013.…”

Asymptomatic foot and ankle structural injuries: a 3D imaging and finite element analysis of elite fencers

“…The results of a prospective cohort investigation of university fencers found that the injury rate in 1 year was 0.243%, of which ankle injuries accounted for 25% of all injuries [ 6 ]. A study on the risk of time-loss injuries found that the injury rate of 85,686 participants was 0.028%, of which ankle sprain was the most common one, with an incidence rate of 25.3% [ 7 ]. However, taking into account the experimental approaches adopted by previous epidemiological analyses using interview and questionnaire-based techniques [ 2 , 6 ], it can be postulated that the current epidemiological literature base in fencing is insufficient [ 6 ].…”