The critical force (CF) concept, differentiating steady and non-steady state conditions, extends the critical power paradigm for sport climbing. This study aimed to validate CF for finger flexors derived from the 4min all-out test as a boundary for the highest sustainable work intensity in sport climbers. Twelve participants underwent multiple laboratory visits. Initially, they performed the 4min intermittent contraction all-out test for CF determination. Subsequent verification visits involved finger-flexor contractions at various intensities, including CF, CF -2kg, CF -4kg, and CF -6kg, lasting for 720s or until failure, while monitoring muscle-oxygen dynamics of forearm muscles. CF, determined from the mean force of last three contractions, was measured at 20.1 ± 5.7kg, while the end-force at 16.8 ± 5.2kg. In the verification trials, the mean time to failure at CF was 440 ± 140s, with only one participant completing the 720s task. When the load was continuously lowered (-2kg, -4kg, and -6kg), a greater number of participants (38%, 69%, and 92%, respectively) successfully completed the 720s task. Changes of muscle-oxygen dynamics showed a high variability and could not clearly distinguish between exhaustive and non-exhaustive trials. CF, based on the mean force of the last three contractions, failed to reliably predict the highest sustainable work rate. In contrast, determining CF as the end-force of the last three contractions exhibited a stronger link to sustainable work. Caution is advised in interpreting forearm muscle-oxygen dynamics, lacking sensitivity for nuanced metabolic responses during climbing-related tasks.