Injury in traditional and sport rock climbing.
The objective of this study was to compare patterns of injury found in traditional rock climbing with those found in sport climbing. A questionnaire was administered to rock climbers by mail, in person, and via the World Wide Web. Injuries that occurred while rope-protected climbing on rock were analyzed regarding the anatomical location and the mechanism and activity at the time of injury. Ninety-four climbers reported sustaining an injury while rope-protected climbing on rock. Most injuries occurred while leading and involved the upper extremity, especially the fingers. Falling was the predominant mechanism of injury on traditional climbs, and stress over a joint while attempting a difficult move was the most common mechanism on sport climbs. Potential for injury prevention lies in teaching climbers to recognize the limitations of the fingers as weight-bearing structures.
Paige
T E
TE
University of Connecticut, Integrated Residency in Emergency Medicine, Hartford, USA.
Fiore
D C
DC
Houston
J D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000293:injuries*; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires