gms | German Medical Science

Objective: The vast majority of ice climbers (IC) doing rock climbing during the year. The aim of this paper was to show whether the ice climbing make some different on climber’s anthropometry.

Material/Methods: The 23 male participants (age 26.7±5.9) of the Ice climbing World Cup were measured day before competition. Control group was made of 23 rock climbers (RC) (age 27.9±3.9) who reported on site climbing grade over VII+/6c (UIAA/French) [1]. The variables measured included age , height, weight, body mass index, % body fat by bioimpedance, % segmental body fat (trunk, left and right arms, -legs), fat mass, fat-free mass (FFM), total body water (TBW), basal metabolic rate (BMR), leg length, arm span, ratio of arm span to height (Ape index), right and left handgrip strength, handgrip strength to body mass ratio (SMR), pincer strength (dominant hand, i.e. thumb and forefinger), handgrip endurance (dominant hand), endurance of shoulder’s muscles, foot raise, hip flexion, hip abduction and climbing ability trough standing position or the most difficult on site lead climbing [2], [3].

Results: We have found significant differences (p<0.05) between IC and RC for body fat % (IC 9.4±2.3; RC 6.5±2.2 %), fat mass (IC 6.6±2.1; RC 4.7±1.9 kg) and trunk fat % (IC 9.5±3.9; RC 5.5±3.0 %). IC have weaker (p<0,05) hand grip (left hand: IC 442±96; RC 575±83 N/right hand: IC 495±95; RC 589±78 N), SMR (IC 7.0±1.1; RC 8.5±1.0 N/kg) and foot rise (IC 68±6; RC 76±7 cm). No difference has been found for pincer strength, grip endurance, endurance of shoulder’s muscles, hip flexion and abduction.

Conclusion: Results indicate that IC have higher body fat, lower hand grip and SMR and weaker hip flexibility. These could be a body reaction on cold environment and adaption on different tools (ice axe and crampons) which have been used during the ice climbing. Ice axe is much bigger and adequate for handling than rock’s holds and there is less possibility for foot rise with crampons on them. Taking everything into consideration, ice climbing is not considerably affected changes in climber’s anthropometry.