What are the top five common injuries in fencing?

Although fencing is a reasonably safe sport because so many types of protective gear are available. But there are still injuries in the sport. Continue reading to find out more about the most typical fencing injuries, their causes, and ways to avoid them. 

What Are the Most Common Fencing Injuries?

• Major Bruises
• Blisters
• Fencer’s Elbow
• Strained/Pulled Hamstrings
• Twisted Knees and Ankles

1. Major Bruises

In fencing, bruises are the most typical injuries. While some bruises are too small to be classified as injuries, fencers often sustain serious bruises from their opponent’s weapon. Beginners are more likely to sustain bruises, which typically affect the arms and legs of athletes.

Athletes’ hands and knuckles are also commonly the target of bruises. Athletes who sustain these kinds of bruises are usually sidelined for a short period of time. As fencers improve in skill, they typically miss fewer shots and develop greater bruising tolerance. When a big bruise bothers fencers, they apply Tiger Balm to treat it. 

2. Blisters

Blisters on the hands are another typical problem experienced by fencers after repeated practice and/or competition. Beginners also experience blisters more frequently since their hands have not yet developed calluses from frequent fencing. For fencers, blister care is crucial since improper blister care might potentially make a performance difficult.

Keeping your body as dry as possible is key to preventing blisters, so wipe away perspiration whenever you have a moment to spare from the action. The best course of action for a fencer who develops a blister is to cover it with padding, tape, or bandage. Blisters should not be popped or drained as this may cause infection and additional harm. When fencing, wearing gloves helps prevent blisters. 

3. Fencer’s Elbow

From novices to seasoned fencers, fencer’s elbow is likely the most prevalent injury among fencers of all skill levels. It results from “overuse” and, depending on how it’s treated, could keep a fencer out of commission for some time. Tendonitis, which happens when the tendons in one area of the body become inflamed, is a condition that can lead to fencer’s elbow.

In fencing, tendinitis typically causes pain on the inside, outside, and in close proximity to the thumb of the affected elbow. The best defence against fencer’s elbow is to fully warm up before each practice and match. 

4. Strained/Pulled Hamstrings

Fencers constantly pull and/or strain their muscles. Athletes frequently experience strained muscles in their arms, legs, lower back, and feet. The hamstring is the muscle that fencers strain most frequently. Pulls and strains are typically caused by athletes not taking adequate care of their bodies or not stretching enough, just like the majority of injuries sustained in other sports.

In comparison to bruises or blisters, a fencer’s recuperation period is greater if they tear a muscle. Before exercising their injured muscles again, athletes need to give their bodies time to recuperate. Athletes must then rehab the injured muscle as well as the surrounding muscles to strengthen their bodies and get ready to resume their sport after the muscle has begun to heal. 

5. Twisted Knees and Ankles

Although they don’t happen frequently, twisted knees and ankles can happen when fencing. A fencer may twist their knee or roll their ankle with a poorly placed step. This is usually not very serious and does not require time for healing. In order to prevent further injuries, an athlete may need to take a short break before strengthening their knee or ankle.

When fencing, like with most other sports, the best defence against this kind of injury is to have a loose ankle and maintain mobility. Injuries usually happen to fencers who find themselves switching from slow, steady movements to fast, abrupt ones. Thus, it’s critical to remain alert when fencing in order to succeed and maintain your health. 

Other Common Fencing Injuries

• Achilles tendon rupture
• Back pain
• Groin pain
• Jumper’s knee
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Conclusion

In conclusion, injuries in fencing are nonetheless common even though the activity is typically regarded as safe because protective gear is readily available. Fencers need to be aware of the risks, which can range from severe blisters and bruises to more serious ailments including strained muscles and fencer’s elbow. In order to prevent injuries, proper technique, conditioning, and warm-up are essential. Furthermore, minimising the chance of twisted knees and ankles during fights can be achieved by remaining alert and agile. Athletes must comprehend these typical fencing injuries and how to prevent them in order to participate in the sport responsibly and safely.