Effect of a Formal Fencing Tournament on Levels of Muscle Damage Markers in Fencer Females

Muscle injury during and after the competition affects the athletes’ performance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a fencing tournament on the levels of muscle damage markers in fencer females.

In a semi-experimental research, 20 fencer females (mean age: 21.59 ± 4.03 years, body mass index 20.79 ± 3.13 kg.m-2, and mean VO2max 41.01 ± 4.98 ml.kg-1.min1) were selected purposefully and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group competed fencing periodically and single-off. Blood samples were obtained before, immediately after, 24, and 48 hours after the tournament.  

The results showed that the differences in CK levels were significant before and immediately after, before and 24 hours after, before and 48 hours later, immediately after and 24 hours later, and 24 hours and 48  hours after the tournament (p < 0.05). The differences between CK levels immediately after and 48 hours after the tournament were not significant (p>0.05). Differences in the levels of LDH before and immediately after, immediately after and 24 hours later, and immediately after and 48 hours after the tournament were significant (p < 0.05), but before, 24 hours and 48 hours after the tournament, and 24 hours later and 48 hours after it (p> 0.05) were not significant.

The findings showed that a tournament can also lead to muscle damage in experienced fencers. Coaches and fencers can simulate the time and intensity of competitions in their workouts in order to be more adaptable to the muscles and reduce muscle injury.