Rock climbing: observations on heart rate and plasma catecholamine concentrations and the influence of oxprenolol.

Abstract

Observations are presented on the electrocardiogram and plasma catecholamine concentrations of 11 healthy men monitored during two rock climbing ascents. A placebo was administered prior to the first climb and an oral dose of the beta blocking agent oxprenolol ("Trasicor") prior to the second. Mean heart rates were 166 (± 20.4 SD) and 120 (+ 10.2) respectively. Median plasma adrenaline concentrations were 0.05 ,ug/1 and 0.33 gg/1 before and after the climbs following the placebo. No significant difference was observed in the adrenaline concentrations before and after climbing following oxprenolol, or of noradrenaline concentrations on either occasion.These results are interpreted as suggesting that this popular sport represents more an anxiety-type of psychological stress than a physical stress and as such is likely to increase moral fibre rather than muscle fibre. INTRODUCTI ON METHODSIncreasing affluence and leisure has swelled the ranks of those who partake in recreation requiring physical fitness greater than that demanded by their work. The modern epidemic of coronary artery disease has also focussed attention upon the desirability of 'keeping fit' (Turner and Ball, 1973 It is therefore appropriate to consider whether this form of exercise is likely to be useful in securing the increasingly sought-after benefits of regular physical exertion which have been reveiwed at length by Astrand and Rodahl (1970). Alternatively, is rock climbing one means, among others, of producing the psychological fitness assuring the climber that he possesses the necessary skill, strength, endurance and experience to complete his chosen climb? (Edwards 1975). SubjectsEleven men who were either members of the police force undergoing arduous training or professional climbing instructors with apparently normal hearts (the police had been medically examined and the instructors' occupation was assumed to preclude cardiac abnormality) volunteered to participate in the study. Their mean age was 31 (range 24-48) and experience varied from novice to professional. ProcedureEach subject undertook two climbs, the first in the morning and the second in the afternoon, the whole study being completed in the course of a single day. A single blind technique was used, each subject being given a placebo tablet one hour prior to his climb in the morning and an oral dose of the beta-blocking agent oxprenolol one hour before his second climb in the afternoon.The climbs which were conducted on the sandstone cliff Bowles Rocks near Tunbridge Wells were so chosen that they were of comparable difficulty for each of the subjects' first and second ascents. Different routes were 125

Current understanding in climbing psychophysiology research

“…It is likely that this is due to the ease of data collection, potential safety issues and, possibly, the assumption that there are no physiological or psychological differences between indoor and outdoor climbing. In more general climbing research, only four other papers have collected data on natural rock (Booth, Marino, Hill, & Gwinn, 1999;Bunting, Little, Tolson, & Jessup, 1986;Bunting, Tolson, Kuhn, Suarez, & Williams, 2000;Williams, Taggart, & Carruthers, 1978). Further research is necessary in this area, as outdoor traditional and sport climbing affords unique opportunities for the study of psychophysiology and climbing performance, including decisions about the objective dangers, route finding and learning on real rock, which are not present indoors (Lewis & Cauthorn, 2002).…”

“…Whilst only five papers (Booth et al, 1999;Bunting et al, 1986Bunting et al, , 2000Hardy & Hutchinson, 2007;Williams et al, 1978) have looked at climbing outside, only Hardy and Hutchinson (2007) have examined climbing psychophysiology. Furthermore, to our knowledge, as yet there has not been any research conducted comparing climbing indoors and outdoors.…”

Perceived anxiety and plasma cortisol concentrations following rock climbing with differing safety rope protocols

“…Previous research2 3 has explored lactate accumulation and clearance strategies but there is no published research on subjective anxiety and physiological stress responses to climbing and no study has examined how different climbing protocols might impact on stress and emotions. Williams, Taggart, and Carruthers4 measured adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations during rock climbing and found significant increases in adrenaline but not noradrenaline following a single climb on a sandstone outcrop. No attempt was made to relate this to emotional experience or the specific task demands of climbing.…”

Physiological Measurements of Stress during Outdoor Adventure Activities

“…Bunting, Ph.D., of attention given to the significance of physical fitness and its impact on the stress response. Although more recently there have been studies using adventure activities in a field setting, the fitness variable has been considered i n only a few (Williams, Taggart & Carruthers, 1978;Brooke & Long, 1987). From related research however, there is accumulating evidence that higher levels of aerobic fitness may lessen the response to psychological stressors, thereby enhancing both psychological and physiological coping efficiency.…”