An examination of the relationship between injuries and injury-related anxiety among fencing athletes

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sports injuries and injury anxiety levels in fencing athletes. A quantitative research method, specifically the relational survey model within the general survey design, was employed. The study population consisted of licensed fencing athletes (épée, foil, sabre) actively competing in Turkey. The sample comprised 140 athletes from different age groups, genders, fencing disciplines, and educational levels. Data were collected using a personal information form prepared by the researcher to determine participants' demographic characteristics and the Sport Injury Anxiety Scale (SYKÖ). The obtained data were analyzed through independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis-H test, and Pearson correlation analysis. The results indicated that, based on gender, female athletes scored significantly higher in the "fear of being perceived as weak" and "fear of re-injury" subscales (p<0.05). Regarding the fencing discipline, sabre athletes had higher scores than épée athletes in the "fear of pain" subscale (p<0.05). Educational level comparisons revealed that athletes with undergraduate and higher education levels scored higher only in the "fear of re-injury" subscale (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in relation to injury location, time away from sport, injury frequency, or type of injury (p>0.05). A low but significant negative correlation was found between age and the "fear of losing ability," "fear of re-injury," and total SYKÖ scores (p<0.05). In conclusion, gender, fencing discipline, educational level, and age had certain effects on injury anxiety levels, whereas injury-related characteristics (location, frequency, type, and time away from sport) did not significantly influence these levels. These findings highlight the importance of considering demographic and discipline-specific factors in managing injury-related anxiety among fencing athletes.