fencing and health

Sgran · 09-11-2010, 04:00 AM

My 10-year old daughter has expressed in fencing. I'm all for it, but my wife heard that it may be bad for her back. There is a history of back pain on both sides of our family, and the doctor has already told us that my daughter's spine isn't perfectly aligned.

I've never done fencing so I'd interested to hear any comments.

Chief Rum · 09-11-2010, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgran

My 10-year old daughter has expressed in fencing. I'm all for it, but my wife heard that it may be bad for her back. There is a history of back pain on both sides of our family, and the doctor has already told us that my daughter's spine isn't perfectly aligned.

I've never done fencing so I'd interested to hear any comments.

You might want to go back to your daughter's doctor, with fencing specifically in mind, and ask about potential impacts. Although it would be best to find a doctor who knows something about fencing as well. Not sure where you could look for that.

I can't offer up any other advice on the matter, I'm afraid.

MikeVic · 09-11-2010, 12:37 PM

I don't know anything about fencing, but if she wants to try fencing, let her try!

Young Drachma · 09-11-2010, 12:44 PM

You can always have her try it and if she starts to notice issues with her back, then you could consult a doctor about whether it's an issue. Or talk to a fencing teacher about her possible issues and whether there is a threat for fencing for her.

Glengoyne · 09-11-2010, 02:23 PM

I'd think muscle tone would help with a back problem. Fencing will definitely contribute muscle tone. Do check with a doctor. I just don't see anything about fencing as an athletic activity that would be harmful.

fpres · 09-11-2010, 02:34 PM

Definitely find a doctor who is board certified in Sports Medicine. They will usually be primary care physicians with additional fellowship training (Family Medicine or Internal Medicine), but plenty of orthopods fit the bill as well.

If you have concerns at all, you should make sure your daughter has her back examined and that you, as a family, have the opportunity to discuss all of your questions face-to-face with an expert.

Izulde · 09-11-2010, 03:08 PM

Biggest problem with fencing is knee injuries, actually.

lynchjm24 · 09-11-2010, 07:43 PM

How would a 10 year old know what fencing is? Has she been playing Summer Games on her C64?

Seems pretty clear that knee injuries would a problem in fencing.

Glengoyne · 09-11-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynchjm24

How would a 10 year old know what fencing is? Has she been playing Summer Games on her C64?

Seems pretty clear that knee injuries would a problem in fencing.

There are fencing schools cropping up. Not to the extent that martial arts and MMA studios are expanding, but I've seen a couple around, and the one in Fresno is seemingly busy.

Sgran · 09-12-2010, 06:11 AM

Fencing is popular here, and a training facility is a short walk from her school. Fencing and water polo have a strong tradition in Hungary. It probably doesn't hurt that I've turned her on to D&D.

Izulde · 09-12-2010, 10:22 AM

Fencing isn't as popular in the US as it used to be, though it's still strong in Europe, yeah.

Marc Vaughan · 09-12-2010, 11:36 PM

I did Fencing at high school for a few years and really enjoyed it.

I think it helped with my general agility and fitness a fair bit (although back in those days I played a LOT of soccer so I was fairly fit anyway) and most importantly was a great laugh

cartman · 09-12-2010, 11:39 PM

Here's the solution: Have someone else pick up the stolen goods that are heavy.

Mustang · 09-13-2010, 12:38 AM

From what I know, it will put alot of strain on the lower back especially if someone has poor form, but you can work on strengthening that. Wish I was smarter about strengthening my lower back when I was younger and playing sports since I have always had lower back pain.

terpkristin · 09-13-2010, 08:09 AM

I think a lot of sports/conditioning programs for youth teach kids some bad habits with regards to lifting and strengthening in general. One thing I've realized, in looking back, was that we always did one-sided exercises. We'd exercise the abs, for example, but not the lower back. Or, we'd do front-of-the-shoulder lifting but no rear delts. It can definitely create imbalances and potentially lead to injury.

But that said, I don't think I can blame any of the pain I'm in now for things done while playing soccer growing up, except for my traumatic injuries (like my ankle, which I didn't completely wreck until I was 21). The issues I have now are all induced by either my genetic disorder or me being stupid (I hurt my back by slipping and falling in the parking lot of a grocery store...just being a klutz).

/tk

Vince, Pt. II · 09-13-2010, 12:13 PM

I fenced for a year or two in college, and loved it. The only way I could see back problems come about is through poor form. My instructors (the club team coaches at UCSB) were nuts about posture and form, though I would imagine that not every coach is. I think the suggestions to specifically ask the doctor about fencing are great. I also think tk brings up an excellent point about 'lopsided' workouts. It's fairly easy to injure yourself if you aren't working out the complimentary muscle groups, and very few people work out their back specifically, while the abs are a common focus.

Sgran · 09-13-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang

From what I know, it will put alot of strain on the lower back especially if someone has poor form, but you can work on strengthening that. Wish I was smarter about strengthening my lower back when I was younger and playing sports since I have always had lower back pain.

Tell me about it. My own suffering (as well as my wife's) is what's giving me pause.

thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll definitely run it by her doctor.

09-11-2010, 12:44 PM	#4
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	You can always have her try it and if she starts to notice issues with her back, then you could consult a doctor about whether it's an issue. Or talk to a fencing teacher about her possible issues and whether there is a threat for fencing for her. __________________ Current dynasty: OOTP25 Blitz: RTS meets Moneyball \| OOTP Mod: GM Excel Competitive Balance Tax/Revenue Sharing Calc \| FBCB Mods on Github

09-11-2010, 02:34 PM	#6
fpres High School JV Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston, Texas	Definitely find a doctor who is board certified in Sports Medicine. They will usually be primary care physicians with additional fellowship training (Family Medicine or Internal Medicine), but plenty of orthopods fit the bill as well. If you have concerns at all, you should make sure your daughter has her back examined and that you, as a family, have the opportunity to discuss all of your questions face-to-face with an expert. Last edited by fpres : 09-11-2010 at 02:35 PM.

09-11-2010, 03:08 PM	#7
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	Biggest problem with fencing is knee injuries, actually. __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

09-12-2010, 06:11 AM	#10
Sgran High School Varsity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Budapest	Fencing is popular here, and a training facility is a short walk from her school. Fencing and water polo have a strong tradition in Hungary. It probably doesn't hurt that I've turned her on to D&D. __________________ What the hell is Mike Brown diagramming for them during timeouts? Is he like the guy from "Memento" or something? Guys, I just thought of something … what if we ran a high screen for LeBron?

09-12-2010, 10:22 AM	#11
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	Fencing isn't as popular in the US as it used to be, though it's still strong in Europe, yeah. __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

09-11-2010, 12:37 PM	#3
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	I don't know anything about fencing, but if she wants to try fencing, let her try!

09-11-2010, 02:23 PM	#5
Glengoyne Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fresno, CA	I'd think muscle tone would help with a back problem. Fencing will definitely contribute muscle tone. Do check with a doctor. I just don't see anything about fencing as an athletic activity that would be harmful.

09-11-2010, 07:43 PM	#8
lynchjm24 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hartford	How would a 10 year old know what fencing is? Has she been playing Summer Games on her C64? Seems pretty clear that knee injuries would a problem in fencing.

09-12-2010, 11:36 PM	#12
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	I did Fencing at high school for a few years and really enjoyed it. I think it helped with my general agility and fitness a fair bit (although back in those days I played a LOT of soccer so I was fairly fit anyway) and most importantly was a great laugh

09-12-2010, 11:39 PM	#13
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	Here's the solution: Have someone else pick up the stolen goods that are heavy. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

09-13-2010, 12:38 AM	#14
Mustang Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wisconsin	From what I know, it will put alot of strain on the lower back especially if someone has poor form, but you can work on strengthening that. Wish I was smarter about strengthening my lower back when I was younger and playing sports since I have always had lower back pain. __________________ You, you will regret what you have done this day. I will make you regret ever being born. Your going to wish you never left your mothers womb, where it was warm and safe... and wet. i am going to show you pain you never knew existed, you are going to see a whole new spectrum of pain, like a Rainboooow. But! This rainbow is not just like any other rainbow, its...

09-13-2010, 08:09 AM	#15
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	I think a lot of sports/conditioning programs for youth teach kids some bad habits with regards to lifting and strengthening in general. One thing I've realized, in looking back, was that we always did one-sided exercises. We'd exercise the abs, for example, but not the lower back. Or, we'd do front-of-the-shoulder lifting but no rear delts. It can definitely create imbalances and potentially lead to injury. But that said, I don't think I can blame any of the pain I'm in now for things done while playing soccer growing up, except for my traumatic injuries (like my ankle, which I didn't completely wreck until I was 21). The issues I have now are all induced by either my genetic disorder or me being stupid (I hurt my back by slipping and falling in the parking lot of a grocery store...just being a klutz). /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

09-13-2010, 12:13 PM	#16
Vince, Pt. II Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Somewhere More Familiar	I fenced for a year or two in college, and loved it. The only way I could see back problems come about is through poor form. My instructors (the club team coaches at UCSB) were nuts about posture and form, though I would imagine that not every coach is. I think the suggestions to specifically ask the doctor about fencing are great. I also think tk brings up an excellent point about 'lopsided' workouts. It's fairly easy to injure yourself if you aren't working out the complimentary muscle groups, and very few people work out their back specifically, while the abs are a common focus.

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