title: The effect of potential fall distance on hormonal response in rock climbing.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of alterations in potential lead fall distance on the hormonal responses of rock climbers. Nine advanced female climbers completed two routes while clipping all (PRO-all) or half (PRO-½) of the fixed points of protection. Venous blood samples were analysed for total catecholamines, noradrenaline (norepinephrine), adrenaline (epinephrine), dopamine, lactate, cortisol and serotonin. Differences between the two conditions pre, immediately post and 15 min post climbing were assessed using a 2 × 3 repeated measures ANOVA. All hormones and blood lactate concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) immediately post climb, except for cortisol. Peak cortisol concentrations did not occur until 15 min post ascent. Further, significant interactions between climbing and clipping conditions were found for total catecholamines (890% of basal concentration in PRO-½ vs. 568% in PRO-all), noradrenaline (794% vs. 532%) and dopamine (500% vs. 210%). There were no significant interactions for adrenaline (1920% vs. 1045%), serotonin (150% vs. 127%) or lactate (329% vs. 279%). The study showed a greater catecholamine response with an increase in potential lead fall distance. The most pronounced increases seen in catecholamine concentration were reported for dopamine and noradrenaline.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Physical Education and Sport , Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jiří
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baláš
authors.affiliation: b Department of Life Sciences, College of Life and Natural Sciences , University of Derby , Buxton , UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion , Prague , Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Leona
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chrastinová
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Physical Education and Sport , Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Kateřina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kárníková
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Physical Education and Sport , Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kodejška
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion , Prague , Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Alžběta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hlaváčková
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Physical Education and Sport , Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Ladislav
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vomáčko
authors.affiliation: b Department of Life Sciences, College of Life and Natural Sciences , University of Derby , Buxton , UK.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Draper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D004298:Dopamine / Q000097:blood; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D012701:Serotonin; D019344:Lactic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine
keywords: Catecholamines; anxiety; cortisol; rock climbing; serotonin; stress