Empowerment through the sport of fencing
Safety and Fencing
Safety and Fencing
Fencing is one of the safest sports that one can try. How can this be since fencing originated from the fact of warfare, duels, and attempting to kill the other man with a sword?
1. Fencing is largely a non-contact sport where points are scored by touching the opponent with the tip or side of the weapon. This tip or side of the sword has been blunted or flattened. The blade themselves are flexible and bend when they hit the fencer. Thus, the blades no longer retain the dangerous qualities of the past in the modern sport.
2. Fencing clothing has been designed with safety in mind. The mask has been designed to withstand a tremendous amount of pressure. The clothing, while lightweight, is strong and resilient. When a fencer wears their mask and proper fencing attire, the fencer will be safe from the blade. The mask and clothing should be checked frequently for any tears or defects. The top national and international competitors in fencing wear clothing made of either ballistic nylon or Kevlar (fabrics used in bulletproof vests), to give added safety.
3. American Fencing magazine compared the injury rates between soccer and fencing at a competitive level. Fencing has 1/20 the injuries of soccer.
4. If you don't believe that fencing is the safest sport you can do, here is the proof:
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2007 High School Sport Injury Comparison (ages 13-18) Data from National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Information is collected from each NEISS hospital for every emergency visit involving an injury. Participant numbers courtesy of the National Federation of State High Schools and USFA |
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Fencing |
Other High School Sports |
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4 Treatments |
Football – 250,453 Treatments
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