Activity and Fitness in Recreational and Competitive Youth Rock Climbers.

Abstract

In the search to find activities youth enjoy and to which they will adhere, rock climbing has become increasingly popular; youth climbing teams/programs exist all over the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK). The US has over 800 climbing gyms, with almost 400 in the UK. From a health-related fitness perspective, climbing appears to be a good option for decreasing sedentary behavior and keeping youth active. PURPOSE: 1) To determine if recreational (REC) and elite/competitive (EC) youth climbers meet US DHHS (2008) physical activity guidelines during their climbing gym sessions, and 2) to determine if REC and EC youth climbers differ in estimated energy expenditure (EE), fitness, and body composition. METHODS: Data were collected between 2009-2013 in the US and UK. Thirteen REC (mean age: 10.7 ± 3.3 yrs) and 18 EC (13.8 ± 2.3 yrs) female climbers were assessed; 17 REC (10.6 ± 1.7 yrs) and 22 EC (13.9 ± 1.9 yrs) males were assessed. Heart rate (HR) monitors were used to collect time of activity (mins), average heart rate (AHR), and peak heart rate (PHR) in beats per minute (bpm) during climbing. Energy expended (kcals) during climbing was estimated from the HR data. Health-related fitness was measured via sit and reach (flexibility), pushups (muscular endurance), and right and left grip strength (muscular strength). Body composition (%fat) was calculated from skinfolds using standardized equations. Differences between groups were tested using ANCOVAs, controlling for age. RESULTS: In the REC and EC groups, climbers spent between 73 and 85 mins being active during climbing sessions; the groups did not significantly differ. However, female and male EC climbers, respectively, had higher estimated EE (5.4 ± 1.3 and 6.7 ± 1.7 kcals/min) than female and male REC climbers (3.5 ± 1.4 and 4.3 ± 1.4 kcals/min; p<0.05). Female EC climbers were also stronger than female REC climbers in both right and left grip strength (p<0.01). Once adjusted for age, few other differences existed between REC and EC. CONCLUSION: For all groups, AHR ranged between 120-158 bpm, and the exercise intensity approached moderate levels. REC and EC climbers did not differ on most physical or fitness parameters. Additionally, climbers met US DHSS recommendations for duration of cardiorespiratory activity, but intensity did not consistently meet moderate levels.