Jenny Robinson LEI 4724

Activity Title: Indoor Rock Climbing

Source: Rock Climbing Technique, Performance and Tips. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12,
2016, from http://www.indoorclimbing.com/Climbing_Technique.html
Equipment: Indoor rock climbing gym, which will provide climbing shoes, harness,
chalk and auto belay system. Arrangements for transportation to get to the gym as well as
money to rent equipment should be made in advance.
Activity Description: Indoor rock climbing is a good way to begin to learn how to rock
climb. By using an auto-belay system, less knowledge about rock climbing and belaying
is needed by participants. Participants should warm up and stretch prior to climbing.
Participants will have one staff member per person to spot them and answer any
questions they may have during their climb. A talk on safety will occur before climbing.
Harnesses will be secured to make sure they are comfortable and safe. Before climbing, it
is important to look at the wall and decide what route to take. This is accomplished by
looking for a certain color of rock to follow. There are different colors to indicate the
difficulty of the course. The participant will be clipped into the auto belay system and
begin to climb. Participants should try to keep their grip relaxed and pay attention to their
balance. Keeping your body close to the wall helps with balancing and participants
should be reminded that their legs propel the bulk of their weight. Try to keep smooth
movements and watch others to see different techniques. When the participant reaches the
top or other stopping point, and they are ready to return to the ground, they should lean
back and fall toward the ground with the auto belay system.
Leadership Considerations: A CTRS should lead this group and supervise climbs. The
leader should be familiar with rock climbing and ideally have a climbing wall instructor
certification from AMGA. The leader should have a good relationship with the climbing
gym and have verification of all certifications of the employees. The leader should be
able to give tips and encouragement while the participant is climbing in order to facilitate
a successful climb. The group should be no larger than 5 and additional staff may be
needed if group size exceeds 5.
Adaptations: Participants with Scoliosis: Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that is
normally either C-shaped or S-shaped. People of all ages can have scoliosis although the
most common type is idiopathic scoliosis in children age 10 to 12 and it is more common
in females. A common complaint is low back pain (Scoliosis, 2014). Common treatment
includes bracing and surgery, although other methods such as physical therapy, electrical
stimulation, chiropractic care, and exercise are used (Scoliosis, 2014). Engbert and Weber
(2011) found that therapeutic climbing produced better improvement in both perceived
mental and physical health in subjects with low back pain. Care should be made that the
harness is comfortable and the participant is not in any pain when climbing. Engbert and
Webers 2011 study found that therapeutic climbing produced improved physical function
and general health as well as improvements in vitality, mental health and social

functioning. Climbing increases strength and requires focus on the task, which takes
away from focusing on pain (Engbert & Weber, 2011). In addition, Engbert & Weber
discovered patients could make corrections and modify the association between
movement, pain, and avoidance behavior increasing both mental and physical health.
Participants with Depression: The American Psychiatric Association (2013) defines
depression is an illness characterized by loss of interest or pleasure in activities, changes
in weight and sleep, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of death or
suicide. There are many subtypes of depression including post partum, major, seasonal
affective disorder, and dysthymia. Evidence has shown that physical activity (mostly
studies on aerobics or walking) can be just as effective as antidepressants in relieving
depression (Luttenberger et al., 2015). Factors that seem to increase the efficacy of
exercise as treatment for depression include activities that require coordination,
concentration, are performed regularly and conducted in groups (Luttenberger et al.,
2015). Rock climbing addresses all of these factors as well as activating intense emotions
such as fear, pride and anger (Luttenberger et al., 2015). A short mindfulness meditation
should be done with the participants before and afterwards, a gathering of what was
experienced afterward and how to integrate it into daily life to help with the therapeutic
benefits (Luttenberger et al., 2015). It is recommended that a mental health professional
with therapeutic rock climbing experience be present (Luttenberger et al., 2015). Several
topics can be discussed as a metaphor for the climbing such as: old habits, new ways;
expectation versus experience; healthy handling of limitations; self-efficacy: the power of
small steps; fear and trust; trusting yourself and others; and transfer to daily life
(Luttenberger et al., 2015).
Adaptations References:
Desk reference to the diagnostic criteria from DSM-5. (2013). Washington, DC:
American Psychiatric Publishing.
Engbert, K., & Weber, M. (2011). The Effects of Therapeutic Climbing in Patients with
Chronic Low Back Pain. Spine, 36(11), 842-849. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
Luttenberger, K., Stelzer, E., Frst, S., Schopper, M., Kornhuber, J., & Book, S. (2015).
Indoor rock climbing (bouldering) as a new treatment for depression: Study
design of a waitlist-controlled randomized group pilot study and the first results.
BMC Psychiatry, 15(1). Retrieved February 10, 2016.
Rock Climbing Technique, Performance and Tips. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2016,
from http://www.indoorclimbing.com/Climbing_Technique.html
Scoliosis. (2014, November). Retrieved February 10, 2016, from
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scoliosis/scoliosis_ff.asp