A Study of Traumatic Events in Junior Fencing Competitions

Abstract

Background: Fencing is one of the oldest and most beautiful sports in the world. Nowadays due to using protective devices, Fencing is safe and injuries are rare. But physicians who are medical supervisors of fencing competitions must be aware of possible sport injuries to be able to manage them. Knowledge of fencing injuries especially in “juniors” can be very useful and profitable to design methods for decreasing risk of injuries. Methods: This survey was done during Junior International Fencing Championship (men's sabre, foil & epee), which was held in Yazd–Iran Feb 2000. 155 Fencers took part in 610 competitions. The average age of athletes was 17.88 year (SD = 1.20). Results: 31 requests for medical attention (Sabre: 20cases, Foil: 6 cases, Epee: 5cases) related to injuries were classified as follows: Injuries due to opponent's weapon 20 cases (64.5%) including 12 wounds & 8 bruises Skin abrasions & blisters on the contact site between handle & hand, 6 cases (19.3%) Functional overloading & other types 5 cases (16.1%) All the injuries were managed with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) & No competition was canceled due to injuries. The most dangerous injury was on the carotid area of neck due to sharp end of a broken sabre weapon. Conclusion: The result of study emphasized that if suitable protective devices are used, youth fencing competitions bear low risk of accidents & most of sports injuries in fencing can be managed with first aids and RICE. Although the dangerous injury due to sharp end of broken weapon is rare but medical teams of fencing competitions should be aware of this accidents and Emergency facilities must be available.