Asymptomatic foot and ankle structural injuries: a 3D imaging and finite element analysis of elite fencers.
Biomechanical monitoring
Elite fencers
First metatarsophalangeal joint
Lunge
Sesamoid
Trail foot
Journal
BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation
ISSN: 2052-1847
Titre abrégé: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101605016
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
27 Mar 2022
27 Mar 2022
Historique:
received:
28
04
2021
accepted:
23
03
2022
entrez:
29
3
2022
pubmed:
30
3
2022
medline:
30
3
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Fencing is a highly asymmetrical combat sport, that imposes high mechanical demands over repeated exposures on the musculoskeletal structures, a primary cause of injuries in fencers. However, there are limited epidemiological studies on the structural injuries of the foot and ankle in fencers. This study aimed to investigate foot and ankle structural injuries, and explore how metatarsophalangeal joint structural changes may affect the mechanisms of foot and ankle injuries in asymptomatic fencers. 3D images of foot and ankle morphology using computed tomography were obtained from ten elite fencers. We then constructed finite element models of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in the foot of their trail legs. The validated models were used to simulate stress distribution changes from different ankle joint angles during lunging. The findings showed that stress distribution changes at the medial and lateral sesamoid may have caused sesamoid fractures, and that habitual and concentrated stress on the metatarsal bones might have flattened the sesamoid groove. This process may damage the integrity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and consequently affect the efficiency of the windlass mechanism in fencers. During lunging, different ankle joint angles of the trail foot increased the total stress difference of the medial and lateral foot, and thus influenced the lunging quality and its stability. Our findings revealed that the asymmetric nature of fencing might have caused asymptomatic foot and ankle structural injuries, and finite element analysis results indicated that this might increase the incidence of the serious injuries if unattended. Regular computed tomography examination should be introduced to monitor elite fencers' lower limb alterations, permitting unique angle adjustments in the trail foot without sacrificing technical or physiologic properties based on the exam results and reduce the lower limb injury risk.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Fencing is a highly asymmetrical combat sport, that imposes high mechanical demands over repeated exposures on the musculoskeletal structures, a primary cause of injuries in fencers. However, there are limited epidemiological studies on the structural injuries of the foot and ankle in fencers. This study aimed to investigate foot and ankle structural injuries, and explore how metatarsophalangeal joint structural changes may affect the mechanisms of foot and ankle injuries in asymptomatic fencers.
METHODS
METHODS
3D images of foot and ankle morphology using computed tomography were obtained from ten elite fencers. We then constructed finite element models of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in the foot of their trail legs. The validated models were used to simulate stress distribution changes from different ankle joint angles during lunging.
RESULTS
RESULTS
The findings showed that stress distribution changes at the medial and lateral sesamoid may have caused sesamoid fractures, and that habitual and concentrated stress on the metatarsal bones might have flattened the sesamoid groove. This process may damage the integrity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and consequently affect the efficiency of the windlass mechanism in fencers. During lunging, different ankle joint angles of the trail foot increased the total stress difference of the medial and lateral foot, and thus influenced the lunging quality and its stability.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings revealed that the asymmetric nature of fencing might have caused asymptomatic foot and ankle structural injuries, and finite element analysis results indicated that this might increase the incidence of the serious injuries if unattended. Regular computed tomography examination should be introduced to monitor elite fencers' lower limb alterations, permitting unique angle adjustments in the trail foot without sacrificing technical or physiologic properties based on the exam results and reduce the lower limb injury risk.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35346343
doi: 10.1186/s13102-022-00444-y
pii: 10.1186/s13102-022-00444-y
pmc: PMC8962477
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
50Subventions
Organisme : National Natural Science Foundation of China
ID : 11672075; 11972119
Organisme : National Natural Science Foundation of China
ID : 11672075; 11972119
Organisme : National Natural Science Foundation of China
ID : 11672075; 11972119
Organisme : National Natural Science Foundation of China
ID : 11672075; 11972119
Organisme : Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
ID : 2019J01429
Organisme : Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
ID : 2019J01429
Organisme : Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
ID : 2019J01429
Organisme : Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
ID : 2019J01429
Informations de copyright
© 2022. The Author(s).
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