Preventing Long Term Injuries Climbing

[dmonn]

I almost got myself killed once at my previous job. More women than men in the lunch room and I made the mistake of saying that my diet has been pretty successful. Lost 10 pounds by cutting down my ice cream intake from 3 scoops every night to two scoops 5 times a week. The glares were enough to make me cringe!

 

[Dan Cobb]

That's another 10 pounds of gear you can carry into a tree for the same effort! Cheaper and healthier than, for example, reducing your climbing weight by shelling out for carbon fiber spurs.

 

[Rusticus]

My chiropractor told me to also stretch after the work, when your muscles are still warm. Makes an huge difference in how stiff they get in the evening. I'll even do it at lunch.

 

[Mallett]

That's another 10 pounds of gear you can carry into a tree for the same effort! Cheaper and healthier than, for example, reducing your climbing weight by shelling out for carbon fiber spurs.

You feel the weight in your belly less than the weight hanging off your saddle and feet. With that said, obviously lighter is better- for both gear and body weight


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[moss]

And as for the spikes, I’m using geckos and I only noticed the pain recently. They’re adjusted correctly so I’m not sure what really caused the discomfort. I’m going to keep an eye on it and try to avoid locking out my legs as much. It would probably help to have some cushier pads


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I think the problem is that spikes take away the important load absorption role that your feet and ankles perform every time you put load on a leg. As in walking or running for example. Every time you jam a spike into the side of a trunk the impact hits your knee directly, there is no buffer. I don't know the answer but I believe it is a built-in problem. Certainly diet, exercise can make things better than worse but I don't think there is a solution as long as the foot and ankle are locked up and all the force is transferred directly to the knee.
-AJ

 

[moss]

Creating strong work positioning is the best thing a climber can do to minimize injuries over time. If you're reaching out with your saw, overloading your shoulders, or over leveraging your lower back you could be in a better position. Sometimes it's a few seconds of extra effort to get in that sweet position where everything feels balanced and your saw is in your optimal "strength zone" to share the load evenly back through your arms and shoulders into your core. Sounds obvious but when pressure to perform is coming from a foreman, an impatient groundie, or your own self-imposed pressure, it's tempting to shortcut for speed. The price is paid later, it might be years later but it will be paid.
-AJ

 

[southsoundtree]

I think the problem is that spikes take away the important load absorption role that your feet and ankles perform every time you put load on a leg. As in walking or running for example. Every time you jam a spike into the side of a trunk the impact hits your knee directly, there is no buffer. I don't know the answer but I believe it is a built-in problem. Certainly diet, exercise can make things better than worse but I don't think there is a solution as long as the foot and ankle are locked up and all the force is transferred directly to the knee.
-AJ

If someone is routinely jamming their spurs, adjustments need to be made.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Back to back Gold from @moss and @southsoundtree

Keep your elbows in and down...no wingy flapping elbows!

Keep your hands below your head...no stretching, climb to the work.

Make your ONE spike step count. Too often climbers peck away with their spikes hammering their toes to hips every time. Look for the spot you're going to use as you moved up or look down for the spot. If your spikes are sharpened correctly body weight will sink the spike like a hot spoon in ice cream.

 

[Jonny]

For real. Look at that impact if you ever see someone doing it. Foot to ankle to knee to hip. Just beating the shit out of yourself. Your climbing days will be severely numbered.