Climbing

About: Climbing is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4122 publications have been published within this topic receiving 43284 citations.

Whole body adhesion: hierarchical, directional and distributed control of adhesive forces for a climbing robot

Abstract: We describe the design and control of a new bio-inspired climbing robot designed to scale smooth vertical surfaces using directional adhesive materials. The robot, called Stickybot, draws its inspiration from geckos and other climbing lizards and employs similar compliance and force control strategies to climb smooth vertical surfaces including glass, tile and plastic panels. Foremost among the design features are multiple levels of compliance, at length scales ranging from centimeters to micrometers, to allow the robot to conform to surfaces and maintain large real areas of contact so that adhesive forces can support it. Structures within the feet ensure even stress distributions over each toe and facilitate engagement and disengagement of the adhesive materials. A force control strategy works in conjunction with the directional adhesive materials to obtain sufficient levels of friction and adhesion for climbing with low attachment and detachment forces.

Physiology of difficult rock climbing

Abstract: The purpose of this review is to explore existing research on the physiological aspects of difficult rock climbing. Findings will be categorized into the areas of an athlete profile and an activity model. An objective here is to describe high-level climbing performance; thus the focus will primarily be on studies that involve performances at the 5.11/6c (YDS/French) level of difficulty or higher. Studies have found climbers to be small in stature with low body mass and low body fat. Although absolute strength values are not unusual, strength to body mass ratio is high in accomplished climbers. There is evidence that muscular endurance and high upper body power are important. Climbers do not typically possess extremely high aerobic power, typically averaging between 52–55 ml·kg−1·min−1 for maximum oxygen uptake. Performance time for a typical ascent ranges from 2 to 7 min and oxygen uptake (VO2) averages around 20–25 ml·kg−1·min−1 over this period. Peaks of over 30 ml·kg−1·min−1 for VO2 have been reported. VO2 tends to plateau during sustained climbing yet remains elevated into the post-climb recovery period. Blood lactate accumulates during ascent and remains elevated for over 20 min post-climbing. Handgrip endurance decreases to a greater degree than handgrip strength with severe climbing. On the basis of this review, it appears that a specific training program for high-level climbing would include components for developing high, though not elite-level, aerobic power; specific muscular strength and endurance; ATP–PC and anaerobic glycolysis system power and capacity; and some minimum range of motion for leg and arm movements.

The cost to the central nervous system of climbing to extremely high altitude.

Abstract: To assess the possibility that climbing to extremely high altitude may result in hypoxic injury to the brain, we performed neuropsychological and physiologic testing on 35 mountaineers bef...

SpinybotII: climbing hard walls with compliant microspines

Abstract: A new climbing robot has been developed that can scale flat, hard vertical surfaces including concrete, brick, stucco and masonry without using suction or adhesives. The robot can carry a payload equal to its own weight and can cling without consuming power. It employs arrays of miniature spines that catch opportunistically on surface asperities. The approach is inspired by the mechanisms observed in some climbing insects and spiders. This paper covers the analysis and implementation of the approach, focusing on issues of spine/surface interaction and compliant suspension design

Physiological and anthropometric determinants of sport climbing performance

Abstract: Objective—To identify the physiological and anthropometric determinants of sport climbing performance. Methods—Forty four climbers (24 men, 20 women) of various skill levels (self reported rating 5.6‐5.13c on the Yosemite decimal scale) and years of experience (0.10‐44 years) served as subjects.They climbed two routes on separate days to assess climbing performance. The routes (11 and 30 m in distance) were set on two artificial climbing walls and were designed to become progressively more diYcult from start to finish. Performance was scored according to the system used in sport climbing competitions where each successive handhold increases by one in point value. Results from each route were combined for a total climbing performance score. Measured variables for each subject included anthropometric (height, weight, leg length, arm span, % body fat), demographic (self reported climbing rating, years of climbing experience, weekly hours of training), and physiological (knee and shoulder extension, knee flexion, grip, and finger pincer strength, bent arm hang, grip endurance,hip and shoulder flexibility,and upper and lower body anaerobic power). These variables were combined into components using a principal components analysis procedure. These components were then used in a simultaneous multiple regression procedure to determine which components best explain the variance in sport rock climbing performance. Results—The principal components analysis procedure extracted three components. These were labelled training, anthropometric, and flexibility on the basis of the measured variables that were the most influential in forming each component. The results of the multiple regression procedure indicated that the training component uniquely explained 58.9% of the total variance in climbing performance. The anthropometric and flexibility components explained 0.3% and 1.8% of the total variance in climbing performance respectively. Conclusions—The variance in climbing performance can be explained by a component consisting of trainable variables.More importantly, the findings do not support the belief that a climber must necessarily possess specific anthropometric characteristics to excel in sport rock climbing. (Br J Sports Med 2000;34:359‐366)