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The Science of Climbing and Mountaineering

Edited by Ludovic Seifert, Université de Rouen, France, Peter Wolf, University of Zurich, Switzerland and Andreas Schweizer, Uniklinik Balgrist, Switzerland Series: Routledge Research in Sport and Exercise Science This is the first book to explore in depth the science and medicine of climbing and mountaineering. Written by a team of leading international sport scientists, clinicians and climbing practitioners, it covers the full span of technical disciplines, including rock climbing, ice climbing, indoor climbing and mountaineering, across all scientific fields, from physiology and biomechanics to psychology, motor control, skill acquisition, sports medicine and sports technology. Drawing on cutting edge research, and showing how science translates into practice, this is essential reading for all sport science researchers, active climbers and adventure sport coaches.

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Table of Contents:

Preface (Ludovic Seifert, Peter Wolf and Andreas Schweizer)

1. A Cultural History of Mountaineering and Climbing (Olivier Hoibian)

Section 1: Physiology

2. Physiology of Climbing (Luisa Giles and Jason Brandenburg)

3. Economy in Difficult Rock Climbing (Phillip Watts)

Section 2: Medicine

4. Sport Climbing Related Injuries and Overuse Syndromes (Volker Rainer Schöffl and Andreas Schweizer)

5. High Altitude Medicine and Cold Effects in Mountaineering (Jean Paul Richalet and Emmanuel Cauchy)

6. Hypoxic Training (Grégoire Millet and Olivier Girard)

Section 3: Biomechanics

7. Postural Regulation and Motion Simulation in Rock Climbing (Franck Quaine, Lionel Reveret, Simon Courtemanche and Paul Kry)

8. Grip Capabilities of Climbers' Hands and Fingers (Laurent Vigouroux)

9. Muscular Strength and Endurance in Climbers (Jiří Baláš)

10. Biomechanics of Ice Tool Swinging Movement (Annie Rouard, Thomas Robert and Ludovic Seifert)

Section 4: Motor Control and Learning

11. How Expert Climbers Use Perception and Action During Successful Climbing Performance (Ludovic Seifert, Dominic Orth, Chris Button and Keith Davids)

12. What Current Research Tells Us About Skill Acquisition in Climbing (Dominic Orth, Chris Button, Keith, Davids and Ludovic Seifert)

13. Visual-Motor Skill in Climbing (Chris Button, Dominic Orth, Keith Davids and Ludovic Seifert)

Section 5: Psychology

14. Climbing Grades – Systems and Subjectivity (Nick Draper)

15. Psychological Processes in the Sport of Climbing (Gareth Jones and Xavier Sanchez)

16. Exposure and Engagement in Mountaineering (Eric Brymer and Erik Monasterio) Section 6: Equipment, Technology and Safety Devices in Climbing

17. The Engineering of Climbing Equipment (Franz Konstantin Fuss and Peter Wolf)

18. Simul-Climbing Progression and Falls Analysis (Philippe Batoux)


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