In this Rock Rehab Community lecture, physical therapists Jared Vagy and Sammi Iannucci join us to break down the first climbing-specific approach to returning to the wall after ACL reconstruction; drawing on the only two peer-reviewed papers on the topic, both of which are included at the bottom of this article. The article [...]
Climbing is not just about finger strength. It is a full-body sport that requires mobility, strength, control, endurance, and the ability to move well in awkward positions. In this article, you will learn five simple movement challenges adapted from The Resilient Climber: Strength, Mobility, and Injury Prevention. Each one connects to a key [...]
Sensory Integration (SI) is a theory and model developed by Jane Aryes in 1972. It gives name to neurological processes that determine how the brain organizes, interprets, and deciphers what to do with incoming sensory information.
In this in-depth interview, Norwegian physiotherapist, PhD researcher, and elite climber Gudmund Grønhaug explores the current state of climbing injury research, including what we know, what we assume, and where the evidence falls short. Drawing on his clinical background and years of firsthand experience in the climbing community, Grønhaug discusses why common injury [...]
The article investigates a specific wrist injury in rock climbers known as a hamate hook fracture. Although rare, these injuries have become more frequent among climbers who put intense strain on their hands, especially during complex maneuvers that increase stress on the wrist’s carpal bones. The study reviewed 12 cases of hamate injuries [...]
The systematic review on the psychology of rock climbing provides a comprehensive analysis of psychological aspects in climbing, focusing on the unique demands of this high-risk sport. Researchers investigated various sub-disciplines, such as risk perception, motivation, personality, and mental states like flow. Through analyzing over 80 studies, the review highlighted how climbers balance [...]
This systematic review explores the significant influence of gender and training goals on climbing injuries, highlighting the differences in injury types and prevalence among men and women climbers. The research analyzed data from over 1,500 climbers who participate in sport climbing, bouldering, and traditional climbing. Key findings reveal that more than 50% of [...]
The article, by Xeber Iruretagoiena et al called "Reliability and Validity of Ultrasound in Identifying Anatomical Landmarks for Diagnosing A2 Pulley Ruptures: A Cadaveric Study", focuses on the use of high-resolution ultrasound (US) to diagnose finger pulley injuries, particularly the A2 pulley, common in rock climbers. This cadaveric study aims to assess the [...]
The popularity of rock climbing among young individuals has surged in recent years, leading to an increased incidence of finger stress epiphyseal fractures, which are the primary injury observed among youth climbers. These fractures commonly occur during puberty, a period when the growth plates (physis) in the fingers are particularly susceptible to damage. [...]
Tell a non-climbing friend that you’ve got a sore finger and they might not be too sympathetic. For us as climbers, on the other hand, such an injury can feel disastrous. And that makes absolute sense.