PHYSICAL PREDICTORS OF SUCCESS IN BEGINNING ROCK CLIMBERS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Rock climbing is becoming an increasingly popular sport in many areas, especially since the arrival of indoor climbing surfaces. As in popularity increases there are more novice climbers and climbing students. While studies have been done to establish the relationship between selected physical characteristics and success in elite climbers (Watts, Martin and Durtschi, 1993; Cutts and Bollen, 1993; Grant, Hynes, Whittaker and Aitchison, 1996), no studies have looked at those physical characteristics that relate to success in the novice climber. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the variables of height/weight, grip strength, upper body strength and muscular endurance, leg strength, leg span, or maximum thigh abduction angle can predict success in novice rock climbing students.