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Forearm muscle oxidative capacity index predicts sport rock-climbing performance

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Abstract

Rock-climbing performance is largely dependent on the endurance of the forearm flexors. Recently, it was reported that forearm flexor endurance in elite climbers is independent of the ability to regulate conduit artery (brachial) blood flow, suggesting that endurance is not primarily dependent on the ability of the brachial artery to deliver oxygen, but rather the ability of the muscle to perfuse and use oxygen, i.e., skeletal muscle oxidative capacity.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to determine whether an index of oxidative capacity in the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) predicts the best sport climbing red-point grade within the last 6 months. Participants consisted of 46 sport climbers with a range of abilities.

Methods

Using near-infrared spectroscopy, the oxidative capacity index of the FDP was assessed by calculating the half-time for tissue oxygen resaturation (O2HTR) following 3–5 min of ischemia.

Results

Linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and training experience, revealed a 1-s decrease in O2HTR was associated with an increase in red-point grade by 0.65 (95 % CI 0.35–0.94, Adj R 2 = 0.53).

Conclusions

Considering a grade of 0.4 separated the top four competitors in the 2015 International Federation Sport Climbing World Cup, this finding suggests that forearm flexor oxidative capacity index is an important determinant of rock-climbing performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Applied Sciences, School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Oxstalls Campus, Gloucester, GL2 9HW, UK

    Simon Fryer & K. Stone

  2. School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

    Lee Stoner

  3. School of Sport Performance and Outdoor Leadership, University of Derby, Buxton Campus, 1 Devonshire Road, Buxton, UK

    D. Giles

  4. School of Sport and Exercise, Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, Edinburgh, EH14 1DJ, UK

    Joakim Sveen

  5. Department of Physical Education, School of Education, Avda. República Saharaui sn, 11519 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    Inma Garrido & Vanesa España-Romero

Authors
  1. Simon Fryer
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  2. Lee Stoner
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  3. K. Stone
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  4. D. Giles
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  5. Joakim Sveen
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  6. Inma Garrido
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  7. Vanesa España-Romero
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Simon Fryer.

Additional information

Communicated by David C. Poole.

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Fryer, S., Stoner, L., Stone, K. et al. Forearm muscle oxidative capacity index predicts sport rock-climbing performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 116, 1479–1484 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3403-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3403-1

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