Incidence and Characteristics of Time-Loss Injuries in Competitive Fencing: A Prospective, 5-Year Study of National Competitions

Abstract

To estimate the incidence of time-loss injuries in competitive fencing and to characterize these injuries regarding type and location. A 5-year prospective study. Data were collected at all national events organized by the U.S. Fencing Association (USFA) during the 2001-2006 seasons. A total of 78,223 male and female competitors, ranging in age from 8 to above 70, participated in various events in the targeted competitions. Experienced certified athletic trainers (ATC) evaluated and documented all incidents that resulted in withdrawal from competition. Exposure data [athlete exposures (AE)] were calculated from the number of bouts completed in each competition. Rate of time-loss injury was calculated per 1000AE. Frequency distributions for types and locations of injuries were used to characterize time-loss injuries. One hundred eighty-four time-loss injuries were reported during the study, for an overall rate of 0.3 per 1000 AE (95% CI: 0.26-0.35). Of these, 26.1% were recorded as strains and 25.5% were identified as sprains. The knee was the most frequently injured location (19.6%), followed by the thigh (15.2%) and the ankle (13%). Overall, 60% of the injuries were in the lower extremities. The rate of time-loss injury in competitive fencing is low. Although there are differences in the distribution of types and location of time-loss injuries by sex and discipline, the predominant characteristics (sprain/strain in the lower extremities) are similar to other sports with ballistic action in stop-start, rapid change-of-direction activity.