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Elbow Strength Profiles and Performance Level in Swedish Climbers

Ryman Augustsson, Sofia LU ; Frodi-Lundgren, Annika and Svantesson, Ulla (2018) In Journal of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation & Disabilities 4(1).
Abstract
BackgroundElbow strength ratios in relation to performance level, in male and female climbers, are scarcely documented. The aim of this study was to investigate elbow muscle strength, strength ratio and hand grip strength in climbers and its potential relationship to performance level.HypothesisWe hypothesized that there is a relationship between performance level and various strength variables and that greater strength is associated with higher performance level.Study designCross-sectionalLevel of evidence4MethodsForty-four men (50%) and women (mean age 27.7±6.8 years), with a mean climbing experience of 5.8±5.2 years, participated in the study. Each climber performed upper-extremity strength tests using the Isobex 3.0® and Grippit® and a... (More)
BackgroundElbow strength ratios in relation to performance level, in male and female climbers, are scarcely documented. The aim of this study was to investigate elbow muscle strength, strength ratio and hand grip strength in climbers and its potential relationship to performance level.HypothesisWe hypothesized that there is a relationship between performance level and various strength variables and that greater strength is associated with higher performance level.Study designCross-sectionalLevel of evidence4MethodsForty-four men (50%) and women (mean age 27.7±6.8 years), with a mean climbing experience of 5.8±5.2 years, participated in the study. Each climber performed upper-extremity strength tests using the Isobex 3.0® and Grippit® and a questionnaire concerning data relating to climbing experience and her/his training routines.ResultsClimbing experience, in years, in relation to route level of climbing yielded an overall significant effect (p=0.043). No significant differences were found between the low, moderate and high route climbing groups when it came to time spent climbing (p > 0.05). Elbow muscle strength showed significant correlations to boulder climbing level (p < 0.05). No relationships were found between route performance level and the muscle strength tests (p > 0.05). No correlations were found between grip strength and performance level in neither the route or the boulder group.ConclusionThe present study suggests that elbow muscle strength is an important factor for boulder performance in contrast to route climbing performance.Clinical relevanceBoulder climbers might benefit from strength training whereas the values of strength gains for route climbers are not clear.Keywords: Boulder; Grip strength; Muscle strength ratio; Route climbing (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Journal of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation & Disabilities
volume
4
issue
1
article number
026
publisher
Herald Scholarly Open Access
ISSN
2381-8670
DOI
10.24966/PMRD-8670/100026
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e9846a05-ac3d-4ccf-9112-e210bdb7fac8
alternative location
http://www.heraldopenaccess.us/fulltext/Physical-Medicine-Rehabilitation-&-Disabilities/Elbow-Strength-Profiles-and-Performance-Level-in-Swedish-Climbers.php
date added to LUP
2018-09-21 09:45:52
date last changed
2021-03-22 16:26:57
@article{e9846a05-ac3d-4ccf-9112-e210bdb7fac8,
  abstract     = {{BackgroundElbow strength ratios in relation to performance level, in male and female climbers, are scarcely documented. The aim of this study was to investigate elbow muscle strength, strength ratio and hand grip strength in climbers and its potential relationship to performance level.HypothesisWe hypothesized that there is a relationship between performance level and various strength variables and that greater strength is associated with higher performance level.Study designCross-sectionalLevel of evidence4MethodsForty-four men (50%) and women (mean age 27.7±6.8 years), with a mean climbing experience of 5.8±5.2 years, participated in the study. Each climber performed upper-extremity strength tests using the Isobex 3.0® and Grippit® and a questionnaire concerning data relating to climbing experience and her/his training routines.ResultsClimbing experience, in years, in relation to route level of climbing yielded an overall significant effect (p=0.043). No significant differences were found between the low, moderate and high route climbing groups when it came to time spent climbing (p &gt; 0.05). Elbow muscle strength showed significant correlations to boulder climbing level (p &lt; 0.05). No relationships were found between route performance level and the muscle strength tests (p &gt; 0.05). No correlations were found between grip strength and performance level in neither the route or the boulder group.ConclusionThe present study suggests that elbow muscle strength is an important factor for boulder performance in contrast to route climbing performance.Clinical relevanceBoulder climbers might benefit from strength training whereas the values of strength gains for route climbers are not clear.Keywords: Boulder; Grip strength; Muscle strength ratio; Route climbing}},
  author       = {{Ryman Augustsson, Sofia and Frodi-Lundgren, Annika and Svantesson, Ulla}},
  issn         = {{2381-8670}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Herald Scholarly Open Access}},
  series       = {{Journal of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation & Disabilities}},
  title        = {{Elbow Strength Profiles and Performance Level in Swedish Climbers}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.24966/PMRD-8670/100026}},
  doi          = {{10.24966/PMRD-8670/100026}},
  volume       = {{4}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}