PHYSIOLOGICAL-RESPONSES TO SIMULATED ROCK CLIMBING AT DIFFERENT ANGLES

Purpose: Although rock climbing has increased in popularity as a recre ational activity and competitive sport, few studies have assessed the physiological demands of the activity. To describe the physiological r esponses to rock climbing at different angles, Methods: Sixteen experi enced climbers (age = 26 +/- 8 yr) attempted intermittent climbing bou ts at different angles on a special rock climbing treadmill (Brewer's Ledge Treadwall (TM)). Heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously, and (V) over dot O-2 was determined at 20-s intervals during each climbin g bout. Immediately after each bout, the subject provided a rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and an average of right and left handgrip fo rce (HG) was obtained. Blood was collected via fingerprick after each bout and analyzed for lactate (BL). On a separate day, each subject co mpleted a steady-state treadmill running bout at a HR equal to that ob tained at an 86 degrees angle during the climbing test. This test was followed by a progression to exhaustion to determine peak HR and (V) o ver dot O-2, responses. Results: While HR increased with climbing angl e, (V) over dot O-2, did not significantly vary. BL began to significa ntly increase as the angle exceeded vertical(91 degrees) and continued to increase with successive angles. HG decreased with increasing angl e and was negatively correlated with BL (r = -0.96). Scores for RPE in creased with steeper angles. The comparison of steady-state work at th e same HR for climbing versus treadmill running revealed a higher (V) over dot O-2, during running with no differences in BL and RPE. Conclu sions: Based upon these results, it was concluded that continuous rock climbing over terrain steepness of 80 degrees to 101 degrees presents a ''very heavy'' work challenge, averaging 8.4-9.0 metabolic equivale nts, regardless of angle. Despite similar RPE and BL, the relative exe rcise intensity elicited from simulated rock climbing is lower than th at of running at the same HR.