INVESTIGATING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BEGINNERS AND ADVANCED CLIMBERS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the differences in the movement patterns of beginners and advanced climbers, according to quantitative parameters. In order to do so, climbers (n=17) of a variety of skill levels were analyzed as they climbed up the test routes. From this, the following conclusions were drawn: beginner climbers (n=11) require very much the aid of tactic and visual information to elaborate their responses, whereas more experienced climbers (n=6) are able to anticipate their response only with the aid of visual information. This characteristic was conveyed through the greater amount of hand movements performed by the beginners, as well as a longer period of time required to ascend the test routes.