|
Rock climbing is a hobby, or sport, that requires one to use their hands, feet, and ultimately their entire body to scale walls both short and long. The routes may have varying levels of difficulty determined by the size and placement of holds and degree of pitch. Regardless of these facts, individuals still use their own bodies to climb. Why is it, then, that people think the general rules of physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition do not apply to climbers? 
Photo Credit: climblikesharma.com Reading rock climbing magazines and websites offering advice to their readers can be both shocking and frustrating. The writers do not mean any harm with their writings but at times they are quite misguiding with their recommendations. Rock climbers do not live in a bubble where the body performs too differently from other individuals. However, there are still odd recommendations with respect to training, improving performance, nutritional needs, among many other topics pertaining to rock climbing.
When evaluating any physical endeavor there are two factors to take into account. One is the general needs of the human body. The second is the specific needs of the activity. The general requirements of the body will form the major foundation while specificity will enable one to excel at the chosen endeavor.
To use an analogy, a minivan and a Formula 1 car are designed quite similarly. They both have tires, engines, steering wheels, and all of the other general components of a car. The differences arise when you look at how each of those components is designed and tuned to meet the needs of the specific task. Rarely does a soccer mom need to accelerate from 0-100 mph in under five seconds, nor do Formula 1 drivers worry about carrying passengers in their cars.
The same applies when comparing rock climbing to any other physical endeavor. The human body has very similar requirements for most physical activities when evaluating physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and all of the subcategories within. There are specific needs of rock climbers though, including grip and hand needs.
With that in mind, this website will begin to describe the universal truths of performance as they apply to the human body and specifically rock climbing. Hopefully this can cut through all of the misinformation and provide a clear voice for rock climbing fitness. |
