Physiotherapy - The Journal of Indian Association of Physiotherapists | 2019
Injury pattern among fencing players in India
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fencing is an Olympic game, played in three disciplines of the Epee, the Foil, and the Saber. Despite the long history and international scope, very few epidemiological studies on injuries in modern competitive fencing are available. A study on the injury patterns of Indian fencing players is not yet reported. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to explore the injury pattern among fencing players and to examine the association of occurrence of injury with certain risk factors. METHODS: The sample comprised 113 fencers (79 males and 34 females). Scheduled questionnaire was the tool of data collection. RESULTS: Point prevalence and 2 years prevalence of injuries were 12.38% and 13.27%, respectively. Acute injuries more common (78.5%) than the injuries of gradual onset (21.42%). Lower limb (100%) was the most common site of injuries. The ankle was the most frequently injured body part (64.28%). The event of the Epee had the highest proportion of injuries (15.69%) followed by the Foil (10.36%) and Saber (9.09%). Injured players were found to have spent significantly more time in footwork; although; the age, level of play, sex, and type of events, previous injuries, and training habits were not found significantly associated with the occurrence of injuries. Conclusion: It is concluded that Indian fencing players presented with a less prevalence of injury, out of which majority of injuries were in the lower limb.