Validity and normative scores of finger flexor strength and endurance tests estimated from a large sample of female and male climbers.

Recent reviews have highlighted conflicting findings regarding the validity of finger flexor strength and endurance tests in sport climbers, often due to small sample sizes and low ecological validity of the tests used. To address these gaps, 185 male and 122 female climbers underwent maximal finger flexor strength, intermittent and continuous finger flexor endurance, and the finger hang tests in a sport-specific setting to determine the predictive and concurrent validity of these tests. The finger hang test showed the strongest relationship to climbing ability for both sexes ( ≈ 0.

Importance of shoulder girdle and finger flexor muscle endurance in advanced male climbers.

Aim: This study aimed to: (a) assess the relationships between climbing performance and finger and shoulder girdle muscle endurance; and (b) provide evidence on the validity of the specialized exercise tests used for the purpose.

Materials And Methods: 28 male sport climbers (climbing ability 23 ± 2.43 IRCRA scale) performed four tests muscle failure, including two-finger hang tests (using 2.

The Connection Between Resistance Training, Climbing Performance, and Injury Prevention.

Background: Climbing is an intricate sport composed of various disciplines, holds, styles, distances between holds, and levels of difficulty. In highly skilled climbers the potential for further strength-specific adaptations to increase performance may be marginal in elite climbers. With an eye on the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, more climbers are trying to maximize performance and improve training strategies.

Comparison of finger flexor resistance training, with and without blood flow restriction, on perceptional and physiological responses in advanced climbers.

This study compared perceptional and physiological responses of finger flexor exercise performed with free flow and blood flow restriction (BFR). Thirteen male advanced climbers completed three sessions of finger flexor resistance exercise at (1) 40% of MVC (Low) and (2) 75% of MVC (High) and (3) BFR at 40% of MVC (Low + BFR) in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Rate of perceived exertion for effort (RPE) and discomfort (RPD), session pleasure/displeasure (sPDF), exercise enjoyment (EES), lactate concentration and oxygen saturation were recorded after the last set.

Acute Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Resting Metabolic Rate and Substrate Utilisation in Healthy Women.

The aim of the study was to determine the acute effects of single-whole-body vibration (WBV) on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and carbohydrate−lipid profile of blood in young, healthy women. The participants, in a randomised controlled crossover study, participated in two trials: WBV and a vibration simulation (placebo). The WBV was performed in the prone position and cycloidal-oscillatory vibration was used.

Climbing-Specific Exercise Tests: Energy System Contributions and Relationships With Sport Performance.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate distinct performance indicators and energy system contributions in 3 different, new sport-specific finger flexor muscle exercise tests.

Methods: The tests included the maximal strength test, the all-out test (30 s) as well as the continuous and intermittent muscle endurance test at an intensity equaling 60% of maximal force, which were performed until target force could not be maintained. Gas exchange and blood lactate were measured in 13 experienced climbers during, as well as pre and post the test.

Muscle strength and endurance in high-level rock climbers.

The relative importance of key performance factors is poorly studied in high-level climbers. This study aimed to (1) determine the role of forearm muscle strength and endurance in high-level rock climbing, (2) and provide suitable dynamometric test parameters for muscle endurance assessment in high-level climbers. Six higher elite (redpoint Fr.

Reliability and Validity of Finger Strength and Endurance Measurements in Rock Climbing.

Purpose: An advanced system for the assessment of climbing-specific performance was developed and used to: (a) investigate the effect of arm fixation (AF) on construct validity evidence and reliability of climbing-specific finger-strength measurement; (b) assess reliability of finger-strength and endurance measurements; and (c) evaluate the relationship between finger flexor all-out test scores and climbing ability.

Methods: To determine the effect of AF, 22 male climbers performed 2 maximal strength and all-out tests with AF (shoulder and elbow flexed at 90°) and without AF (shoulder flexed at 180° and elbow fully extended). To determine reliability, 9 male climbers completed 2 maximal strength tests with and without AF and an all-out and intermittent test without AF.

Active recovery of the finger flexors enhances intermittent handgrip performance in rock climbers.

This study aimed to (1) evaluate the effect of hand shaking during recovery phases of intermittent testing on the time-force characteristics of performance and muscle oxygenation, and (2) assess inter-individual variability in the time to achieve the target force during intermittent testing in rock climbers. Twenty-two participants undertook three finger flexor endurance tests at 60% of their maximal voluntary contraction until failure. Performances of a sustained contraction and two intermittent contractions, each with different recovery strategies, were analysed by time-force parameters and near-infrared spectroscopy.

A sport-specific upper-body ergometer test for evaluating submaximal and maximal parameters in elite rock climbers.

Unlabelled: Traditional treadmill or bicycle ergometry neglects the upper-body musculature that predominantly limits or terminates rock-climbing performance (ie, the inability to continually pull up one's body mass or "hang on").

Purpose: To develop an incremental maximal upper-body ergometer test (UBT) to evaluate climbers' aerobic fitness and sport-specific work capacity and to compare these results with a traditional treadmill protocol.

Methods: Eleven elite sport climbers (best redpoint grade Fr.

Hepatitis C virus recombinants are rare even among intravenous drug users.

Systematic studies of the circulation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) recombinants in different parts of the world have been initiated only recently, and no detailed information on this subject is available. The aim of the current investigation was to determine the frequency of HCV recombinants in intravenous drug users (IVDU) from two European countries. HCV RNA from serum samples was tested by RT-PCR with primers derived from the core and NS5B regions with subsequent sequencing and genotype assignment.

D2: major subgenotype of hepatitis B virus in Russia and the Baltic region.

Complete or almost complete hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes were sequenced for 13 genotype A and 42 genotype D strains from the former USSR. The strains were classifiable within subgenotypes A2, D1, D2 and D3. Comparison of the deduced gene products for the four ORFs of 89 genotype D strains revealed 27 subgenotype-specific residues, and a region spanning residues 58-128 in the spacer region of the P gene could be used to distinguish between D1 and D4.

Immunogenicity of a chimeric hepatitis A virus (HAV) carrying the HIV gp41 epitope 2F5.

Its stable particle structure combined with its high immunogenicity makes the hepatitis A virus (HAV) a perfect carrier to expose foreign epitopes to the host immune system. In an earlier report [Beneduce, F., Kusov, Y.

Acute GB virus B infection of marmosets is accompanied by mutations in the NS5A protein.

GBV-B, a member of the Flaviviridae family of viruses, is the virus most closely related to HCV, and GBV-B infection in tamarin monkeys might represent a valuable surrogate animal model of HCV infection. In the current study, GBV-B was successfully transmitted to two marmosets (Callithrix jaccus). The infection resulted in viremia of 14- and 17-week duration, respectively, and was accompanied by elevation of isocitrate dehydrogenase activity.