Training-related injury patterns and return-to-sports in elite fencing athletes: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively examine training-related injury incidence, anatomical distribution, and return-to-sports according to sex, weapon category, injury onset (acute vs. overuse), and tissue type in elite fencing athletes. METHODS: This prospective injury surveillance study followed elite fencing athletes training at a high-performance facility for 12 months. All acute and overuse training-related injuries were recorded using the International Olympic Committee injury report form. Injury incidence was calculated per 1,000 training hours. Injury location, tissue type, injury onset, and return-to-sports were analyzed according to sex and weapon category. RESULTS: < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Elite fencing athletes experience a substantial burden of training-related injuries, with overuse injuries predominating during training exposure. Injury patterns and return-to-sports vary according to sex, weapon category, and tissue type. These findings support the development of sex- and weapon-specific injury prevention strategies, particularly targeting lower extremity injuries and ligament-related time loss.