US climber Alex Honnold’s 91-minute free solo ascent of Taipei 101 yesterday fanned interest in rock climbing, but a doctor warned the sport heavily engages the upper body, so those interested should train, warm up, monitor their condition and rest as needed to reduce the risk of injury.
Rock climbing relies heavily on upper body strength, as the fingers, wrists, shoulders and elbows support the climber’s body weight as they ascend, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital sports injury specialist Chan Yi-sheng (詹益聖) said.
International data show that 40 percent of rock-climbing injuries are related to the fingers, with shoulder and wrist injuries also common, Chan said.
Taipei Times
If a climber’s hands suddenly bear too much weight, it can tear ligaments or cause chronic inflammation from the strain, he said.
Among dedicated climbers, trigger finger is a common injury, as well as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, he said.
Chan said that the shoulders lift the lower body during climbing, warning that overuse can cause pain, shoulder injury, muscle strains or even rotator cuff injuries.
Jumping off a wall or falling can injure the neck or lower back, causing fractures, he said.
Impacts from falls could damage soft tissues in the knees, tearing ligaments such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or damaging important cartilage, Chan said.
Some climbers develop hip pain because repeated twisting and pressure during climbing can cause bone growth and pinching in the hip joint, he said.
Honnold stretches and warms up before climbing and does regular strength training, Chan said.
People should warm up before climbing and do regular strength and grip training, he said.
Pay attention to the fingers and shoulders, and if people feel uncomfortable while climbing, they should take a break, assess their physical condition and only continue if they feel better, he added.
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