Body Composition, Anthropometric Parameters, and Strength-Endurance Characteristics of Sport Climbers: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT: Ginszt, M, Saito, M, Zieba, E, Majcher, P, and Kikuchi, N. Body composition, anthropometric parameters, and strength-endurance characteristics of sport climbers: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1339-1348, 2023-Sport climbing was selected to be part of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021 with 3 subdisciplines: lead climbing, speed climbing, and bouldering. The nature of physical effort while speed climbing, lead climbing, and bouldering performance is different. This literature review aimed to describe differences between body composition, anthropometric parameters, and upper-limb strength-endurance variables between sport climbers with different ability levels and nonclimbers. The following databases were searched: PubMed and Scopus. The following keywords were used: "sport climbing," "rock climbing," "lead climbing," and "bouldering." Articles were considered from January 2000 to October 2021 if they concerned at least one of the following parameters: body composition (mass, body mass index, body fat, lean muscle mass, bone mineral density), anthropometric parameters (height, ape index), muscle strength (MVC finger strength in half-crimp grip, MVC finger strength to body mass, handgrip strength), and muscle endurance (force time integral, pull-ups). A review shows that body mass and body fat content were lower in the sport climbers compared with controls and in elite sport climbers compared with those less advanced. Sport climbers presented higher values of MVC finger strength in half-crimp grip, MVC finger strength to body mass, handgrip strength, and force time integral parameter than control subjects. Significantly higher MVC values in half-crimp grip were observed in elite sport climbers than in advanced athletes. None of the analyzed work showed differences between sport climber groups in the ape index. The abovementioned parameters may be a key factor in elite sport climbing performance.

Influence of regular climbing on depression, generalized anxiety and lower back pain.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Anxiety and depression disorders are increasingly affecting society. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, and depressive disorders are increasing in society worldwide. Lower back pain is one of the common health problems experienced by 50-80% of adults at some point in their lives. The aim of the study was to assess the climbing environment in terms of depression, generalized anxiety and pain in the lumbar spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 139 people training on climbing walls Lublin in December 2019 were invited to participate in the study. After applying exclusion criteria, 113 people with an average age of 30±8 years, 88 men (average age: 30 years) and 35 women (average age: 30 years) were qualified for the study. They were examined by the author's own questionnaire and the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and ODI questionnaires. Statistical analyses were applied and the significance threshold was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Overall percentage results suggest mild depression at 27%, moderate anxiety at 27%, and mild back pain at 26% in the group of climbers tested. Climbing level and climbing sub-discipline did not affect the average results of PHQ-9, GAD-7 (p>0.05). Back pain was more common in boulder climbers (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The level of sport climbing did not affect the level of depression, generalized anxiety, and back pain. The sport climbing level did not affect the incidence of injuries. The association in climbing clubs is connected with overcoming more difficult climbing routes and a higher level of generalized anxiety. Bouldering was associated with a greater level of pain in the lumbar spine and more injuries.

Review of studies on the impact of climbing as a complementary form of depression treatment and their evaluation according to the QUADAS-2 tool. / Przeglad prac dotyczacych wplywu wspinaczki jako uzupelniajacej formy leczenia depresji i ich ocena wedlug narzedzia QUADAS-2.

According to theWorld Health Organization (WHO), 4.3% of the global population exhibits symptoms of depression. In Poland, 1.5 million people suffer from this illness. Treatment of depression generates significant costs calculated in billions of zlotys. According to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Problems, depression is characterized by: reduced mood, reduced psychomotor drive, loss of interest (axial symptoms), as well as low self-esteem, pessimistic attitude, weakness of concentration, sleep disorders, and loss of appetite (additional symptoms). The aim of this research was to review and evaluate studies on the impact of sport climbing as a complementary form of treatment on reducing depressive symptoms. This is the first literature review undertaking a collective assessment of studies on this subject. The appropriate studies were selected in a three-stage process. PubMed, ResearchGate and Google Scholar databases were searched. Finally, 4 studies were qualified for the review and then assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool developed by Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences. Analysis of the research gives grounds to consider introducing an additional form of treatment for depression in the form of boulder climbing. The evaluation according to the QUADAS - 2 questionnaire indicates a low possibility of making mistakes in all assessed works.