PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION IN NON COMPETITIVE ROCK CLIMBers: good for aerobic fitness?

ABSTRACT The present investigation aimed to establish whether noncompetitive rock climbing fulfills sports medicine recommendations for maintaining a good level of aerobic fitness. The physiological profile of 13 rock climbers, 8 men (age, 43 6 8 years) and 5 women (age, 31 6 8 years) was assessed by means of laboratory tests. Maximal aerobic power (V_ o2peak) and ventilatory threshold (VT) were assessed using a cycloergometer incremental test. During outdoor rock face climbing, V_ o2 and heart rate (HR) were measured with a portable metabolimeter and the relative steadystate values (V_ o2 and HR during rock climbing) were computed. Blood lactate was measured during recovery. All data are presented as mean 6 SD. V_ o2peak was 39.1 6 4.3 mLkg21min21 in men and 39.7 6 5 mLkg21min21 in women, while VT was 29.46 3.0 mLkg21min21 in men and 28.86 4.6 mLkg21min21 in women. The V_ o2 during rock climbing was 28.3 6 1.5 mLkg21min21 in men and 27.5 6 3.7 mLkg21min21 in women. The HR during rock climbing was 144 6 16 bmin21 in men and 164 6 13 bmin21 in women. The aerobic profile was classified from excellent to superior in accordance with the standards of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The exercise intensity (V_ o2 during rock climbing expressed as a percentage of V_ o2peak) was 70 6 6% in men and 72 6 8% in women. Moreover, the energy expenditure was 1000–1500 kcal per week. In conclusion, noncompetitive rock climbing has proved to be a typical aerobic activity. The intensity of exercise is comparable to that recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine to maintain good cardiorespiratory fitness.