Don't waste the Role of Mobility for Boulderers and Climbers
Don't waste the role of mobility for boulderers and climbers. Climbing tests are demanding movements that show correct, compensatory and evasive movement. High kicks, for instance, require good hip mobility to get your weight into the correct position. You must also have a full range of motion to reach unfavorable grips and place weight on your kicks. How important is flexibility when climbing? Many climbers believe that flexibility is an important factor in performance, but this theory has not been tested under experimental conditions. This study aims to test the validity of four novel tests to measure flexibility during bouldering and climbing. Participants performed a Grant foot raise, lateral foot reach, and foot-loading flexibility test. All tests were performed on a climb flex board. A sit-and-reach test was also administered. Results indicate a poor correlation between climbing ability and flexibility. While bouldering and climbing require a high degree of leg strength, deve...