Anthropometrical and Physiological Profile of Chinese Elite Sport Climbers

Introduction: Significant ethnic differences exist in anthropometrical characteristics and body composition between normative Chinese and western populations. Elite climbers relative to age-matched general populations in Europe and North America are generally characterized smaller body size and a low percentage of body fat (%BF) compared to normative data. The variable of a positive arm span to height ratio (ie Ape Index) is often suggested to be advantageous for climbing performance, but has never been reported in Chinese climbers. Aim: To thoroughly examine anthropometrical and physiological characteristics of adult Chinese competition sport climbers, eleven male (30.2[+ or -]6.3 yrs) and ten female (32.2[+ or -]5.5 yrs) competition sport climbers from Hong Kong, China, were examined. The mean self-reported on-sight climbing ability was Fr.7a+ (6c to 7c+) and Fr.7a (6b to 7c) respectively. Methods: Anthropometrical characteristics examined were: height, mass, body mass index (BMI), %BF, Ape Index, biiliocristal and biacromial breadths. Physiological variables gathered were: resting heart rate and blood pressure, leg span, handgrip strength, bone mineral density and aerobic capacity. Selected variables were compared with age- and sex-matched Chinese population and western elite climbers previously reported. Conclusion: In comparison to national Chinese statistics, these Chinese climbers had a lower body mass, BMI, %BF, and resting heart rate; similar stature, handgrip strength and resting blood pressure; and a higher bone mineral density and aerobic capacity. Relative to studies on western elite climbers, the Chinese climbers had a smaller body size and lower aerobic capacity; while BMI, %BF, handgrip strength/body mass ratio, and leg span were similar. In addition, both genders possessed an Ape Index >1. Keywords: anthropometry, Chinese, climbing, ape index, somatotyping, competition climbing