Key questions regarding the training and physiological qualities required to produce an elite rock climber remain inadequately defined. Little research has been done on young climbers. The aim of this paper was to review literature on climbing alongside relevant literature characterising physiological adaptations in young athletes. Evidence-based recommendations were sought to inform the traini...

BACKGROUND Adult elite competitive rock climbers are small in stature with low body mass and very low body fat percentage. These characteristics have generated concern that young climbers may attempt body mass reduction to extreme levels with adverse consequences for health and performance. No published anthropometry data for young competitive climbers exist. OBJECTIVE To describe the general...

Sherpas living around the Himalayas are renowned as high-altitude mountain climbers but when and where the Sherpa people originated from remains contentious. In this study, we collected DNA samples from 582 Sherpas living in Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region of China to study the genetic diversity of both their maternal (mitochondrial DNA) and paternal (Y chromosome) lineages. Analysis showed t...

Long-term exposure to high altitude has been reported to impair cognitive functions, possibly resulting in an increased risk of mountain accidents. To assess the modification of cognitive functions during acclimatisation to altitude, 17 climbers were studied at 5350 m a.s.l. by means of a neuropsychological learning test. The results clearly show that by extending the period spent at elevations...

Edholm OG, Bacharach AL, eds. Exploration medicine. Bristol: John Wright, 1965. 2 Illingworth RN. Expedition medicine, a planning guide. 2nd ed, revised reprint. Ambleside, Cumbria: Brathay Hall Trust, 1979. 3 Juel-Jensen BE, ed. A traveller's guide to health. 2nd ed. London: Royal Geographical Society, in press. 4 Hull FM. Doctor in the mountains. Update 1978;16:1087-93. 5 Barber SG. Drugs and...

In June 2013, Mount Fuji was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Subsequently, a new system was piloted encouraging climbers to make a donation of 1000 JPY to help improve environmental conservation. This research is part of a larger study from 2008 to 2014 monitoring the characteristics and behaviour of Fuji climbers. Specifically, this paper investigates Japanese and international clim...

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence and nature of rock-climbing injuries, and the factors associated with these injuries. DESIGN A retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING Rock climbers were recruited at five outdoor and six indoor climbing venues in the UK. PARTICIPANTS 201 active rock climbers (163 male, 38 female climbers) aged 16-62 years. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS Rock clim...

JEFFREY M. JANOT, JEFF P. STEFFEN, JOHN P. PORCARI, AND MARGARET A. MAHER. Heart rate responses and perceived exertion for beginner and recreational sport climbers during indoor climbing. JEPONLINE 3(1):17, 2000. The purpose of this investigation was to compare heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of beginner and recreational sport climbers during indoor climbing. Seventeen b...