title: Getting to the point: injury patterns and medical care in competitive fencing.
abstract: Modern competitive fencing, consisting of the three disciplines of foil, epee, and sabre, has experienced a rapid growth in participation across all age groups in the USA in the past decade. Unfortunately, because of media sensationalism and a lack of well-designed epidemiological studies, there are significant misconceptions regarding both the incidence and types of injuries presented in fencing. Recent research has indicated that the rate of time-loss injuries in competitive fencing is very low and the majority of these injuries are lower extremity sprains and strains, typical of ballistic, change-of-direction sports. However, most medical assistance in fencing is for minor (nontime-loss) soft tissue injuries (blisters, contusions, abrasions). Although extremely rare, significant fencing-specific injuries, such as lacerations and punctures, occur. Medical personnel dealing with fencing competitions need to be aware of the potential for catastrophic or fatal wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Willamette University, Salem, OR 97301, USA. pharmer@willamette.edu
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Harmer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult