Proprioceptive Training on Dynamic Neuromuscular Control in Fencers: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Context: Fencing is a sport of agility, with a higher incidence of lower-limb injuries, of which the ankle sprain is the most prevalent. Injury prevention is very important to improve performance and decrease the withdrawal time of athletes. Proprioceptive training programs can be added to the training of athletes, since, in addition to easy application and low cost, proprioception has the function of stabilizing the ankle joint to prevent injuries. Objective: To verify the influence of a 12-week proprioceptive training program on dynamic neuromuscular control in fencing athletes. Design: The study was a clinical trial, and the athletes were allocated, for convenience, in the intervention group or in the control group. Setting: The study was developed in 4 stages (preintervention, intervention, postintervention, and follow-up of 3). The neuromuscular control during the star excursion balance test was evaluated. Participants: The participants were 19 fencing athletes (intervention group: 10, and control group: 9), aged 14–35 years, from a multisport club. Interventions: The athletes performed the proprioceptive training during 12 weeks, 3 times a week, with a duration of 30 minutes. Main Outcome Measures: Dynamic neuromuscular control. Results: The data and SE were considered for statistical analysis, submitted to the generalized estimates equations test with Bonferroni post hoc. The level of significance was .05. The distance reached in the star excursion balance test increased significantly in all 8 directions evaluated in the 2 legs of the intervention group. Conclusions: The proprioceptive training program was able to improve dynamic neuromuscular control in fencing athletes.

Dynamic Balance is Similar Between Lower Extremities in Elite Fencers

“…The current results were similar to those of de Vasconcelos and colleagues in that there was no observed difference in reach distance between the dominant and non-dominant lower extremities. 15 Conversely, Guan and colleagues identified a side-to-side difference in the posterolateral direction, but their statistically significant findings were derived from combined data from fencers and Tae Kwon Do athletes. 14 One possible explanation for the discrepant findings could be due to the chosen study population.…”

“…Two recent studies have used the SEBT, from which the YBT is derived, to evaluate dynamic balance performance in child and club-level fencers. 14,15 Their authors reported conflicting findings regarding the presence of dynamic balance asymmetry in their participants. The current results were similar to those of de Vasconcelos and colleagues in that there was no observed difference in reach distance between the dominant and non-dominant lower extremities.…”

“…More recent studies have evaluated dynamic balance control in fencers with the aims of identifying possible asymmetries and changes following a proprioceptive training program. 14,15 In the authors' opinion, the existing literature on balance assessment and training in fencers, implies that symmetry appears to be desirable. The extent to which the bilaterally asymmetric nature of fencing, attributable to the split stance adopted during competition, contributes to asymmetry during dynamic balance assessment is likely an important consideration.…”

“…Consistent with the approach used for athletes in other sports, recent studies evaluating dynamic balance in fencers have used the SEBT. 14,15 The SEBT requires the athlete to perform a series of single leg squats while reaching in 8 different directions (anterior, anterolateral, lateral, posterolateral, posterior, posteromedial, medial, anteromedial) with their contralateral lower extremity. 2 The reach distance of the contralateral lower extremity is used as a measure of dynamic balance proficiency.…”

“…14 Conversely, baseline measures of dynamic balance in club-level fencers between the ages of 14 and 35 did not reveal any differences between the lead and trail legs. 15 To date there has not been an evaluation of dynamic balance performance in a group of elite fencers.…”