Somatic Profile of Competitive Sport Climbers

Paweł Tomaszewski,Joanna Lewandowska,Jan Gajewski

doi:10.2478/v10078-011-0044-7

Paweł Tomaszewski, Joanna Lewandowska + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2478/v10078-011-0044-7

Copy DOI

Abstract

Since rock climbing grows in popularity, the number of the respective scientific reports increases. However, those concerning anthropometric profile of elite climbers are scarce and inconsistent, thus the aim of the study was to describe the anthropometric characteristics of competitive sport climbers. Male rock climbers (n = 21) aged 17 – 29 years took part in the study; their climbing ability ranged from 6b to 8c in the French scale. Body height, body mass, arm span, length and girths of both extremities, shoulder and pelvis widths, as well as thickness of 5 skinfolds were determined. From these, body mass index (BMI), body fat content and selected anthropometric indices were calculated. Data collected for climbers were compared with those of untrained students (n = 165) of Warsaw Technical University. Although no between-group differences were found for body height, body mass, BMI or body fat content, the climbers exhibited significantly (p<0.001) lower pelvis-to-shoulder ratio, longer lower extremities (p<0.05), and greater arm length and arm span (p<0.001) compared to untrained students. The results of this study do not support the view that climbers are small in stature and of low body mass. It seems that the core of the issue is not in body size but rather in specific body proportions and this may be of great importance in selecting subjects to competitive sport climbing.

Highlights

Rock climbing was recognized for many years as a recreational activity or entertainment that links in its peculiar way the sport with the beauty of nature
The results of this study do not support the view of Watts et al (2003) that climbers are small in stature with low body mass as no differences between the climbers and untrained controls were found for basic somatic features and body size-related indices
Watts et al (2003) found no significant differences between climbers and controls for absolute body mass index (BMI) scores or for BMI expressed as a percentile score, they assessed body fat percentage in elite climbers being as low as 5% by using sum of skinfolds and the Jackson and Pollock’s method

Summary

Introduction

Rock climbing was recognized for many years as a recreational activity or entertainment that links in its peculiar way the sport with the beauty of nature. As a form of spending leisure time, the definition of climbing is located between the amateur or professional sport, recreation and qualified tourism. Direct rivalry and the standards unifying conditions of climbing competition refer to the modern definition of a professional sport (Lewis and Cauthorn, 2000). Of the definition assumed, there is no question that in recent years rock climbing has become increasingly popular and the standard of climbing continues to rise. It has become a competitive international sport with an annual international World Cup competition circuit beginning in 1989 on artificial climbing walls. There are several types of climbing competitions, such as lead climbing, speed climbing, bouldering and ice climbing, which have led to the progress

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion