Prof. Amy FU, Associate Head and Professor of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Associate Director of Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Peter Hung Professor of Pain Management, together with her research team, published an article in Ming Pao Daily introducing research on, prevention of and treatments for fencing-related injuries.
Prof Fu’s team highlighted that the prevalence of injuries among fencers ranges from 51.5% to 92.8%, with the lower limbs being the most commonly affected area (56.1% in professional athletes, 54% in non-professionals). In clinical practice, the PolyU team most frequently treats injuries to the lower limbs and lower back, particularly knee problems, including patellofemoral pain syndrome, patellar tendinitis and hamstring strains. During their long-term service to fencing teams, the team analysed athletes’ annual medical examination data over the past five years and found that the incidence of knee and lower back injuries was highest (46.6% to 52.1%), followed by injuries to the wrist, neck and ankle (33.8% to 35.9%).
A review study on injury patterns among fencers showed that injuries most often occur on the dominant side, with the rate of knee joint injury as high as 49%. Injuries to structures responsible for knee flexion and extension (such as patellofemoral pain syndrome and patellar tendinitis) and hamstring strains accounted for the highest proportions (25% and 7% respectively). Another cross-sectional study of 150 local fencers found that the incidence of knee injuries due to overuse was as high as 60.67%. These figures highlight that the knee joint is highly susceptible to injuries, especially among professional athletes, who require enhanced preventive measures.
Fencing is a sport characterised by repetitive movements, high impact, and asymmetrical actions, involving rapid lunges, explosive changes of direction and asymmetric stances. During forward lunges, athletes must avoid hyperextension of the front knee, and the forward movement of the lower limb upon landing generates significant braking force, requiring eccentric contractions of the hamstrings of the dominant leg. However, athletes often over-rely on the quadriceps and neglect hamstring strength training, increasing the risk of hamstring strains during lunges. Frequent explosive movements can also overload the patellar tendon, leading to microtears and inflammation. Additionally, abnormal hip movement (such as excessive adduction and internal rotation) upon landing of the dominant leg is associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome. This dynamic valgus of the knee reduces the contact area of the patellofemoral joint and increases the load on the lateral patella, thus resulting in pain.
The team believes that progressive resistance training can effectively relieve pain and improve function. They recommend athletes to avoid movements that exacerbate pain during training and undertake high-load, low-speed strength training only when the pain score is below 5 (0 being no pain, 10 being extreme pain). Training should begin with isometric exercises (such as wall sits), gradually transitioning to isotonic exercises (such as Bulgarian split squats) and finally to energy storage and loading exercises (such as jumping squats); each stage should progress from two-leg training to single-leg training.
The team also introduced a three-stage exercise therapy programme to help improve hamstring strains. The first stage (1 to 5 days after injury) focuses on pain and swelling reduction and protecting scar healing, using low-intensity, pain-free exercises (such as isometric glute bridges) to minimise muscle atrophy and enhance neuromuscular control. The second stage gradually increases training intensity and range of motion according to the patient’s tolerance (such as single-leg glute bridges) and introduces eccentric hamstring exercises (such as single-leg Romanian deadlifts). The third stage centres on targeted training, using full-range movements to help athletes gradually return to their previous level of performance (such as single-leg balance windmill dumbbell touches).
The team added that injury prevention exercises for fencing should include strength, mobility and movement control training. Strengthening hip abduction and external rotation, as well as eccentric training for hamstrings and quadriceps, forms the foundation. At the same time, it is important to relax tense muscles (such as the tensor fasciae latae) and improve hip and ankle flexibility. In movement control training, the hip, knee and ankle should stay aligned during lunges, to ensure that force travels in a straight line through the lower limb.
Online coverage:
Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/49L7p0D
| Research Units | Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology |
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