A comparison of anthropometric characteristics and somatotypes in a group of elite climbers, recreational climbers and non-climbers

Sport climbing has become a very popular and competitive sport. Despite growing interest in the research of climbing, there is still scant evidence regarding the adaptations it produces in the anthropometric characteristics of climbers. The objective of this study was to provide descriptive data about the anthropometric and somatotype characteristics of a group of elite and recreational climbers and compare them with a group of healthy non-climber volunteers. Twelve elite climbers (9 males and 3 females), 10 recreational climbers (7 males and 3 females), and 10 healthy non-climbers (6 males and 4 females) were assessed. Body mass, height, body mass index (BMI) and anthropometric measurements were used to obtain body fat percentage (BF%) and somatotype according to the Heath-Carter protocol. We found that females and males elite climbers (EC) have a significantly lower BF% and endomorphic component (p < 0.05) than non-climbers (NC). EC males also showed a significantly lower (p < 0.05) BMI than NC males. No differences were found between the anthropometric characteristics of EC and recreational climbers (RC); however, the EC had significantly higher mean results (p < 0.05) in climbing ability level and years of experience. The mesomorphic component was dominant in both groups of climbers. We concluded that EC, both males and females, are thin individuals with a predominance of musculoskeletal development, significantly less endomorphic characteristics, more ectomorphic characteristics and a lower BF% than the general population.