Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Change in finger force production and muscle activation in the forearms of rock climbers during treadwall climbing(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2018) Ferrara, Philip Frank, III; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: John G. Seifert; John G. Seifert, Mary P. Miles and James Becker were co-authors of the article, 'Change in finger force production and muscle activation in the forearms of climbers during treadwall climbing' submitted to the journal 'Journal of Sport Sciences' which is contained within this thesis.Rock climbing is a multi-faceted sport requiring finger flexor strength and endurance. Sustained isometric contractions lead to the build-up of metabolic byproducts that fatigue the finger flexors, however the effect of climbing ability on muscular fatigue is not fully understood. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of rock climbing ability on time to fatigue (TTF), relative finger force production (REL FP), change in FP (DeltaFP), and changes in muscle activity during bouts of climbing on a treadwall. Eight advanced (6 male, 2 female: 29.3 + or = 4.7 yrs, 69.1 + or = 6.9 kg, years experience: 11.1 + or = 5.2) and seven novice (5 male, 2 female: 21 + or = 2.3 yrs, 67.6 + or = 3.8 kg, years experience: 3.0 + or = 2.6) subjects participated. Subjects warmed-up on the treadwall and mounted force tranducer. Electromyographic (EMG) electrodes were placed over the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscle to measure motor unit action potentials. Root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) were analyzed from EMG data. Subjects performed a pre-exercise, 20-second maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC PRE) with the fingertips of the dominant hand (DH) and non- dominant hand (NDH). The climbing protocol consisted of climbing for 5-minute intervals. Subjects performed another MVIC after each interval. EMG and force data were recorded during MVICs. A total of six intervals were performed, or until failure. Group comparisons were made at the 5th interval (MVIC POST). Climbing ability and handedness were analyzed using a 2x2 mixed ANOVA with repeated measures (alpha level < 0.05). Significant group differences were observed for TTF, REL FP, and percent DeltaFP and FDS DeltaMF. Advanced climbers' average REL FP during MVIC PRE was 5.6 + or = 1.4 N/kg BW and 5.2 + or = 1.6 N/kg from the DH and NDH, respectively. Novice REL FP was 3.1 + or = 0.8 N/kg BW and 3.1 + or = 1.0 N/kg. Novices DeltaFP decreased 30.8 + or = 16.0% and 24.9 + or = 18.6%, advanced climbers experienced no change. Advanced MF increased 4.8 + or = 25.9% and 7.7 + or = 18.8%, novice MF decreased 22.7 + or = 6.5% and 12.6 + or = 15.5%. In conclusion, advanced climbers demonstrated a resistance to climbing-specific fatigue during bouts of treadwall climbing.Item Dehydration characteristics of experienced rock climbers using an indoor rock climbing treadmill(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2011) Conder, Brian James; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: John G. SeifertTo date there are no published studies that quantify the amount of dehydration that takes place during rock climbing (RC). The purposes of this study were to determine whether significant dehydration occurs during a simulated RC session and whether ad libitum water ingestion augments this dehydration. In order to do so, eight male (Mean + or - SD; 26.5 + or - 5.8) and two female (24.0 + or - 1.4 yrs) experienced rock climbers completed two identical 115-minute RC trials on a motorized indoor RC treadmill, which consisted of six 15-minute RC intervals with a five minute rest between each interval. One trial the subjects did not receive water (NH) the other they ingested water ad libitum during the rest periods (AL). Percent change in body mass (%DeltaBM) and percent change in plasma volume (%DeltaPV) were calculated for both trials. Urine specific gravity (USG), rhythmic hand grip endurance and plasma creatine kinase were collected before and after both trials. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured throughout both trials. Data was analyzed via RMANOVA, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and paired T-tests. The level of significance was set at P< or - 0.05. There were significant differences between trials for %DeltaBM (Mean + or - SE: NH=-2.4 + or - 0.1%, AL=-0.9 + or - 0.2%) and %DeltaPV (NH=-2.93 + or - 2.42%, AL=+8.76 + or - 3.24%). Heart rate and RPE significantly increased during both trials. There was a significant interaction between trials for HR. No other significant differences between trials were observed. Significant dehydration can occur during RC when %DeltaBM is used as an indicator, but not final USG. The cardiovascular stress associated with this dehydration was decreased by ad libitum water ingestion.Item A comparison of training methods for enhancing climbing performance(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2004) Davis, Colin Matthew; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Daniel P. HeilEnhanced climbing performance may be achieved by applying systematic and documented principles to training for climbing. The purposes of this study were (a) to determine if improvements in climbing performance and related physiological variables would result from systematic training on a motorized climbing treadmill, and (b) to compare the effectiveness of two types of prescribed cardiovascular training programs on a motorized climbing treadmill: high-intensity interval training (HIT) and endurance training (ET). Climbing-related anthropometric variables, climbing performance, climbing-specific cardiorespiratory fitness, and climbing-related muscular strength and endurance were measured on 27 volunteers (13 males, 14 females) between the ages of 18 and 37 years, prior to and following six weeks of systematic physical training using a motorized climbing treadmill. Subjects were randomly assigned to training groups, which were similar with regard to gender and climbing experience. The ET program consisted of a single 20-minute bout of climbing at 65-80% of measured pre-test 2peak O for each workout session,; the HIT program consisted of three 6-minute bouts of climbing at 80-95% of measured pre-test 2peak O V & , separated by three minutes of standing rest, for each workout session. Following training, climbing performance tended to be higher as a result of the HIT program compared to the ET program (p = 0.069), while climbing performance was significantly improved following training as a result of either program. Climbing-specific cardiorespiratory fitness did not differ between groups following training. With the exception of hand-grip strength, climbing-related muscular strength and endurance were significantly higher following training, with no differences observed between groups. Small yet significant improvements in climbing-related anthropometric variables were observed following training in both groups with no differences between groups. The results of this study show that six weeks of systematic physical training using a motorized climbing treadmill is capable of improving climbing performance, climbing-related strength and endurance, and climbing-related anthropometric variables. It was concluded that systematic training on a motorized climbing treadmill can be an effective method of increasing climbing-specific fitness and improving climbing performance.