The Effect of Indoor Rock Climbing on Strength, Endurance, and Flexibility Characteristics in Novice Climbers | ||
| Journal of Applied Sports Science | ||
| Article 8, Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2011, Pages 79-91 PDF (221.69 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jass.2011.84887 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Maikey Lopera; John P. Porcari; Jeff Steffen; Scott Doberstein; Carl Foster | ||
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, United States | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate changes in muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility in novice climbers following 7 weeks of indoor rock climbing and to determine if these responses are related to improvements in climbing performance. Method: Climbers (CL: n=14) and non-climbers (N-CL: n=10) were assessed before and after the study period. Tests included right and left handgrip and pinch grip strength, lat pull-down strength, arm-hang endurance, handgrip endurance, sit-and-reach flexibility, and total climbing time. The CL group completed a 7-week training protocol involving climbing 5-6 routes on an indoor climbing wall, 2x weekly. Result: The CL group had significant improvements in handgrip strength (7%), pinch strength (9%), handgrip endurance (26%), arm hang time (35%), and climbing performance (50%). There were no significant changes in the N-CL group. There were no significant correlations between improvement in climbing performance and change in muscle strength and endurance within CL. Discussion: The climbing performance of novice climbers can be improved in a relatively short period of time. However, the improvement is most likely due to improved climbing technique, than to improvements in muscular strength and endurance. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Rock climbing; Physical activity; Performance | ||
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