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Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(6): 428-432
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1271712
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of Lactate Sampling Sites for Rock Climbing

S. Fryer1 , N. Draper1 , T. Dickson1 , G. Blackwell1 , D. Winter1 , G. Ellis1
  • 1School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision January 11, 2011

Publication Date:
04 March 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Comparisons of capillary blood lactate concentrations pre and post climb have featured in the protocols of many rock climbing studies, with most researchers obtaining samples from the fingertip. The nature of rock climbing, however, places a comparatively high physiological loading on the foreaand fingertips. Indeed, the fingertips are continually required for gripping and this makes pre-climb sampling at this site problematic. The purpose of our study was to examine differences in capillary blood lactate concentrations from samples taken at the fingertip and first (big) toe in a rock climbing context. 10 participants (9 males and 1 female) completed climbing bouts at 3 different angles (91°, 100° and 110°). Capillary blood samples were taken simultaneously from the fingertip and first toe pre and post climb. A limit of agreement plot revealed all data points to be well within the upper and lower bounds of the 95% population confidence interval. Subsequent regression analysis revealed a strong relationship (R2=0.94, y=0.940x + 0.208) between fingertip and first toe capillary blood lactate concentrations. Findings from our study suggest that the toe offers a valid alternative site for capillary blood lactate concentration analysis in a rock climbing context.

Key words

rock climbing - capillary blood lactate concentration - sampling site - limits of agreement

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Correspondence

Dr. Nick Draper

University of Canterbury

School of Sciences and Physical

Education

Private Bag 4800

8140 Christchurch

New Zealand

Phone: + 64/3/364 2987 Ext.: 4193

Fax: + 64/3/345 8381

Email: nick.draper@canterbury.ac.nz