Abstract:
The study aims at identifying the effect of years of practice on some of the postural deviations in foil fencers. The survey-based descriptive method was used being suitable for this type of study. The research sample was randomly selected from the foil fencers in different Egypt clubs (Alexandria Weapon Club – Alexandria Sporting Club – Egyptian Weapon Club – Police Club - MubarakCenter). The sample consisted of 170 foil fencers of different stages, enrolled in the Egyptian Union of Weapon, with periods of practice of 6 months at least. The pilot study was conducted in Alexandria Weapon Club, while the basic study was conducted in a number of Egyptian clubs in Cairo and Alexandria. The main conclusions were: (1) Years of practice have a significant effect on the degree of wry neck deformities, scoliosis and bow leggedness - genu varum; (2) Practicing foil fencing causes the measured degree of the low shoulders deformity to come closer to the correct degree which is 140 degrees, thus improving the deformity; (3) There is a direct correlation between the degree of deformities of wry neck, scoliosis and low shoulders and years of practice; (4) Gaining weight leads to bow leggedness deformities. The study recommends: (1) Posture measurements should be taken and medical examination should be conducted when selecting foil fencing beginners, so that the selection is based on scientific rules; (2) A protocol should be developed by foil fencing clubs nationwide, based on the conclusions made reached in this study, according to which an examination is conducted on fencers at specified intervals to identify the posture deviations that may occur, and the increase or decrease in these deviations; (3) Foil fencing coaches should be made aware of the need for training fencers in a scientific manner so that practitioners can be protected against postural deviations which are on the rise increasing according to results of this study. While due care is given to the working muscles, other muscles should not be neglected in training all through the years of training; (4) Studies similar to this study should be made on the three other types of fencing and also on other sporting activities in general.