Dario Vrdoljak1, Barbara Gilic1,2, Dean Kontić1,3
1University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Split, Croatia
2University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology, Zagreb, Croatia
3University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Fitness Profiling in Top-Level Youth Sport Climbing; Gender Differences
Sport Mont 2022, 20(2), 111-116 | DOI: 10.26773/smj.220617
Abstract
Sport climbers should possess specific anthropometric characteristics and conditioning capacities to reach a top level in this sport. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine gender differences in the fitness status of the top-level youth sport climbers. METHODS: The study was conducted on 20 elite Croatian youth sport climbers (all members of the national team, ten females; 13-18 years of age). The variables included anthropometric status (mass, height, arm span, and body fat percentage), generic- (countermovement- and squat-jump, grip strength), and specific-fitness tests (power slap test and Draga foot lift). RESULTS: Boys were taller than girls (t-test=2.51, p=0.02, moderate effect size (ES)), and had lower body fat percentage (t=- 5.66, p=0.001, very large ES). Boys achieved better results in countermovement- (t=5.39, p=0.001, very large ES) and squat-jump (t=2.19, p=0.04, moderate ES), while there were no gender differences in the specific fitness tests. CONCLUSION: Gender differences were observed in generic but not in specific fitness, which may indicate that climbing is a specific sport that requires and develops specific abilities in a similar way in boys and girls.
Keywords
climbers, generic tests, sport-specific tests, conditioning capacities, youth athletes
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