Predicting Performance in Speed Climbing: Accuracy of the Force-Velocity Test on a Cycle Ergometer

Abstract

The present study examined the validity of the force-velocity (F-V) mechanical parameters of the lower limbs as a predictors of the competitive performance in junior male speed climbing. The second aim was to evaluate F-V characteristics in competitive speed climbers in the junior male category. Ten junior male speed climbers (age: 18±0.5 years; BH: 174.7±4.5 cm; BW: 66.4±6.6 kg; with mean best climbing time from the competition BCT: 7.29±0.66 s) were participants in the research. All they were participants in the Youth European Cup in speed climbing. F-V characteristics were measured using a cycle ergometer test according to the Vandewalle’s protocol. To evaluate of the validity between BCT (criterion) and mechanical parameters (practical measures) from F-V test a standard error of the estimate (expressed as a raw and standardized typical error, TE) and correlation coefficients (rx,y) were used. Moreover, the validity of BCT as a potentially predictor of final competition rank (as a criterion for BCT) was evaluated. Additionally the mean value and standard deviation were calculated for all measured variables. Validity of the BCT as a competition place predictor was largely overestimated (TE=0.73 and rx,y=0.81, p p≤0.05). Accuracy of the BCT prediction for somatic and mechanical variables were very largely error biased. The standardized values of TE for these variables were: 1.93÷7.25. The rx,y were in the range of -0.18 to -0.46. The level of the mechanical variables from the F-V cycle ergometer as a predictors of the BCT in speed climbing may be largely error biased. Application of the cycle ergometer F-V test of prediction BCT values in speed climbing may have low practical value. Moreover, BCT variable may be a poor predictor of the final competition result. Coaches should take these suggestions into account during preparations to speed climbing competitions.

Performance indicators in speed climbing: insights from the literature supplemented by a video analysis and expert interviews

“…The extent to which this procedure correlates with performance in speed climbing has not yet been investigated in detail. Another approach, the Wingate test on a bicycle ergometer, has not been shown to correlate with times achieved in speed climbing (26). In contrast, Krawczyk et al have demonstrated in several studies that an assessment based on a countermovement jump strongly correlates with time in speed climbing (13, 16, 27-29).…”

“…In order to assess the performance in speed climbing, it is perhaps even more suitable to look at the velocity of the COM, since climbers ascend continuously and as fast as possible. Male and female elite climbers have average vertical velocities of 2.5 m/s and 2 m/s respectively (26).…”

“…These differences in arm power are not surprising since in speed climbing leg power is more essential for propulsion. Another study concluded that the cycle ergometer test has a low practical value for predicting record time (26). Other studies on the relation of force and velocity stated that speed and force are inversely related to each other, and this relation is hyperbolic in speed climbing (24,49).…”