Comparison Of Vigourous Physical Activity In Elite And Recreational Youth Rock Climbers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that rock climbing (RC) may provide youth with adequate moderate levels of physical activity (PA). However, time spent in vigourous PA has not been addressed in this population. PURPOSES: 1) To determine how much vigorous physical activity RC provides for youth 8-18 years, and 2) To compare recreational and elite youth climbers in estimated energy expenditure, average heart rate (AHR), peak heart rate (PHR), and estimated calories (kcals) burned overall and per minute. METHODS: Data were collected from recreational climbers (7 males, 8 females; mean age = 10.8 ± 3.0 years), and elite climbers (4 males, 10 females; mean age = 13.5 ± 1.8 years) from the UK. To determine time spent in vigourous PA, minutes (mins) spent with target heart rate (THR) > 159 beats per minute (bpm) (Armstrong et al., 1991) were assessed. Average and peak heart rate in bpm, and energy expended (kcals) during single bouts of climbing were estimated via Polar HR monitors. As males and females did not differ in time at a given exercise intensity (p > 0.05), their results were combined in each group. Differences between groups (recreational vs elite) were tested with ANCOVA, controlling for the age difference in the two groups. RESULTS: Recreational and elite youth climbers did not significantly differ in time at the vigourous level of PA, although the elite climbers averaged 36.3 ± 14 mins in vigourous activity, and the recreational climbers averaged 23.0 ± 14 mins. AHR ranged between 120-156 bpm for the elite climbers, and 120-140 bpm for the recreational climbers; this difference was not significant. Estimated total kcals also did not significantly differ, although elite climbers burned more kcals than recreational climbers (419 vs 257). CONCLUSIONS: Time in vigourous PA was higher than previously assessed in youth climbers. Minimal differences existed between elite and recreational climbers in most components assessed. Small sample size could contribute to the lack of difference, as could the older average age of the elite climbers. In addition, the results could be due to the fact that the recreational climbers were fairly advanced (i.e., closer to the elites) in skill level.