The purpose of the present study was to search for common patterns and for differences in climbing strategies in a group of recreational climbers. Twelve participants were involved in the study. Each participant climbed a simple indoor route consisting of a 3m horizontal shift followed by a 3m ascent for five times. Climbers could choose their own style, their preferred speed and holds. Their m...

Department of Physiological Sciences, Medical School, University of Barcelona, Spain Eduardo Garrido Casimiro Javierre Severe mountain sickness, cerebral oedema, or ischaemic infarcts may occur when humans ascend to high altitude. However, neurological symptoms can occasionally be atypical. Recently, we studied a highly experienced climber who had suffered difficulties in expressing himself ver...

Since rock climbing grows in popularity, the number of the respective scientific reports increases. However, those concerning anthropometric profile of elite climbers are scarce and inconsistent, thus the aim of the study was to describe the anthropometric characteristics of competitive sport climbers. Male rock climbers (n = 21) aged 17 - 29 years took part in the study; their climbing ability...

In 2 experiments, differences in visual perception of climbing routes (route finding) between 7 expert climbers, 4 novices, and 9 inexperienced participants were studied. In both experiments, participants reproduced on a scale model the locations and orientations of 23 holds of a climbing wall. The results showed that the expert climbers recalled more information and recalled clusters of inform...

The cartographic depiction of high mountain areas has always been a challenge to generations of cartographers, surveyers and geographers. The maps resulting from this work contain a wide range of information, which are diffi cult to understand for a non-expert community. Hence the fascination of high mountain areas was up to now mostly reserved to experts and climbers. New techniques in Compute...

Rock climbers perform repeated isometric forearm muscle contractions subjecting the vasculature to repeated ischaemia and distorted haemodynamic signals. This study investigated forearm vascular characteristics in rock climbers compared to healthy untrained controls. Eight climbers (CLIMB) (BMI; 22.3, s = 2.0 kg/m(2), isometric handgrip strength; 46, s = 8 kg) were compared against eight untrai...

We investigated the incidence of AMS amongst a general population of trekkers on Mount Kilimanjaro, using the Lake Louise consensus scoring system (LLS). Additionally we examined the effect of prophylactic acetazolamide and different ascent profiles. Climbers on 3 different ascent itineraries were recruited. At 2743 m we recruited 177 participants (mean age 31, range [18-71]) who completed LLS ...

Dynamic high-resolution ultrasonography findings obtained in 34 extreme rock climbers with finger injuries were compared with those in 20 healthy volunteers. Thicknesses of the flexor tendon and A-2 flexor tendon pulley system were measured at the base of the proximal phalanx. The distance between the tendon and phalanx was evaluated with the finger in extension and in forced flexion as a measu...

BACKGROUND Psychotic episodes during exposure to very high or extreme altitude have been frequently reported in mountain literature, but not systematically analysed and acknowledged as a distinct clinical entity. METHODS Episodes reported above 3500 m altitude with possible psychosis were collected from the lay literature and provide the basis for this observational study. Dimensional criteri...