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Related Experiment Videos

Physiological responses to simulated rock climbing at different angles

P B Watts1, K M Drobish

  • 1Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Northern Michigan University, Marquette 49855, USA. pwatts@nmu.edu

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|July 15, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Rock climbing demands significant physiological effort, with lactate increasing at steeper angles. However, simulated rock climbing intensity is lower than running at the same heart rate.

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Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Sports Science
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Rock climbing's popularity is rising in recreation and competition.
  • Limited research exists on the physiological demands of rock climbing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess physiological responses during rock climbing at varying angles.
  • To compare rock climbing intensity to running at similar heart rates.

Main Methods:

  • Experienced climbers performed climbing on a treadmill at different angles.
  • Physiological data collected included heart rate (HR), VO2, blood lactate (BL), handgrip force (HG), and perceived exertion (RPE).
  • A separate running test at a matched HR was conducted for comparison.

Main Results:

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  • HR and RPE increased with climbing angle; VO2 remained consistent.
  • Blood lactate (BL) significantly rose above 91 degrees.
  • Handgrip force (HG) decreased with steeper angles and correlated negatively with BL.

Conclusions:

  • Rock climbing between 80-102 degrees is a "very heavy" work challenge (8.4-9.0 METs), irrespective of angle.
  • Despite similar RPE and BL, rock climbing elicits lower relative exercise intensity than running at the same HR.