A comparison of the anthropometric, strength, endurance and flexibility characteristics of female elite and recreational climbers and non-climbers

Abstract

There is limited information on the anthropometry, strength, endurance and flexibility of female rock climbers. The aim of this study was to compare these characteristics in three groups of females: Group 1 comprised 10 elite climbers aged 31.3 +/- 5.0 years (mean +/- s) who had led to a standard of 'hard very severe'; Group 2 consisted of 10 recreational climbers aged 24.1 +/- 4.0 years who had led to a standard of 'severe'; and Group 3 comprised 10 physically active individuals aged 28.5 +/- 5.0 years who had not previously rock-climbed. The tests included finger strength (grip strength, finger strength measured on climbing-specific apparatus), flexibility, bent arm hang and pull-ups. Regression procedures (analysis of covariance) were used to examine the influence of body mass, leg length, height and age. For finger strength, the elite climbers recorded significantly higher values (P < 0.05) than the recreational climbers and non-climbers (four fingers, right hand: elite 321 +/- 18 N, recreational 251 +/- 14 N, non-climbers 256 +/- 15 N; four fingers, left hand: elite 307 +/- 14 N, recreational 248 +/- 12 N, non-climbers 243 +/- 11 N). For grip strength of the right hand, the elite climbers recorded significantly higher values than the recreational climbers only (elite 338 +/- 12 N, recreational 289 +/- 10 N, non-climbers 307 +/- 11 N). The results suggest that elite climbers have greater finger strength than recreational climbers and non-climbers.

Association of anthropometric, physiologycal and physical traits to success of elite male mountain climbers

“…Accordingly, Grant et al and Mermier et al believe that increase in strength and power is crucial for rock climbers. In mountain climbing, increased strength is accompanied by an enhanced performance (Grant et al, 2001;Mermier et al, 2000). Regarding significant relationship between lower body strength with success in mountain climbing, lower body muscular strength appears to be important to optimize performance in altitude.…”

“…У алпинизам, који је првобитно сматран као рекреативна активност, уведене су неке напред-не технике и стратегије за унапређење здравља током времена (Grant, et al, 2001;Kemmler, et al, 2006). Међународни савет за такмичарски алпи-низам (ICC) је такође заслужан за организовање такмичарског спортског алпинизма (Sheel, 2004).…”

“…Mountain climbing which has been initially done as a recreational activity, some advanced techniques and strategies have been introduced to improve health over time (Grant et al, 2001; Kemmler et al, 2006). International Council for Competition Climb-ing (ICC) is also responsible for organizing Competitive sport climbing (Sheel, 2004).…”

Comparison of Physical Fitness Parameters Among Moderato Level Regular Swimming and Step-Aerobic Exerciser and Sedentary in Females

“…Grant ve ark.nın çalışmasında, vücut ağırlığı, deri kıvrım kalınlığı ve yaşın kontrol altında tutulması hâlinde bile bacak hacminde meydana gelen artışa bağlı olarak anaerobik performans değerlerinde bir artı-şın olduğu belirtilmiştir. 43 Yapılan çalışmalarda Tsourlou ve ark. ile Samson ve ark., sedanter kişi-lerin, aerobik uygunluk düzeyinin ve yaşam kalitesinin fiziksel olarak aktif olan kişilere göre daha düşük olduğunu belirterek, aerobik dayanıklılık, kuvvet ve esneklik egzersizlerini içeren çalışmala-rın yaşam kalitesinin artmasında etkili olduğunu, istirahat kalp hızını ve kan basıncını düzenlediğini göstermişlerdir.…”

Silové schopnosti a jejich vliv na sportovní výkon v lezení

“…K rozpoznání lezeckého talentu či k vyvinutí účinnějších tréninkových metod je nejprve zapotřebí určit, které dílčí komponenty lezeckého výkonu jsou klíčové a které jsou méně důležité. V současnosti již existuje řada odborných prací na toto téma (Baláš, Strejcová, & Hrdličková, 2008;Grant, Hynes, Whittaker, & Aitchison, 1996;Grant, Hasler, Davies, Aitchison, Wilson, & Whittaker, 2001;Mermier, Janot, Parker, & Swan, 2000; Vomáčko, 2009), avšak jejich společ-nou nevýhodou je to, že se věnují pouze omezenému vzorku lezecké populace. Výsledky měření se tak nedají zcela zobecnit, což otevírá prostor pro nová měření, která mají za úkol ověřit platnost předešlých šetření.…”