Vertical Infinity

Evaluation of the CLIFF Equipment as a Fitness Training Equipment

By K. Sen Ray, Ph.D., Coordinator, Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Science Nutrition, Reader, Department of Food Science & Nutrition, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai.

Status: Completed, See Complete Report here.

OBJECTIVE: To report the physiological responses of indoor rock climbing.

METHODS: Twenty sedentary to average activity individuals (ten men, ten women) of the age group of 30-45 years performedone varying intensity walking trial on an incline trainer and one varying intensity climbing trial on a motorized indoor climbing wall. These activities were separated by at least 4 days.

Subjects performed activities of increasing difficulty as per the following:

Incline Trainer (Nordic Track)

Motorized Climbing Wall (the CLIFF)

– Warm up – 3kmph/0° - 3 mins

– Workload1 – 5kmph/5° - 5 mins

– Workload2 – 5kmph/10° - 5 mins

– Workload3 – 5kmph/15° - 5 mins

– Workload4 – 5kmph/20° - 5 mins

– Workload5 – 5kmph/25° - 5 mins

– Workload6 – 5kmph/30° - 5 mins

– Workload7 – 7kmph/30° - 5 mins

– Cool Down – 5 mins

– Warm up – 15fpm/65° 3 mins

– Workload1 – 15fpm/70° 3 mins

– Workload2 – 20fpm/70° 3 mins

– Workload3 – 24fpm/70° 3 mins

– Workload4 – 28fpm/70° 3 mins

– Workload5 – 28fpm/75° 3 mins

– Workload6 – 28fpm/80° 3 mins

– Workload7 – 28fpm/85° 3 mins

– Workload8 – 32fpm/85° 3 mins

– Cool Down – 10 mins

The research consisted of measuring the following during the simulated Rock Climbing activity

Test 1:

– Heart Rate Monitor

– O2 and CO2 expenditure

– Energy Expenditure

– VO2 max capacity

Expired air was sampled through the K4b2 equipment and data collected using telemetry and heart rate (HR) was recorded continuously also using a telemetryunit.

EQUIPMENT: Vertical Infinity’s - the CLIFF 0842

• Nordic Track – Treadmill 9800

• Heart Rate Monitor

– Polar T34 ™ telemetric HRM

• VO2 VCO2 Consumption & Energy Expenditure

– Cosmed™ K4 b2 telemetric equipment

• BioPACK – 16 Channel Poly-graphic Recorder for Muscle Activity Monitor

– 4 Channel EMG + 1 Channel ECG

• Others
– Vitalo-graph for Lung Function Test

– Hand-Grip Dynamometer for Grip Strength

– Hand-Eye Coordination test meter

INITIAL OBSERVATIONS: Significant differences were found between trials for HR,oxygen consumption (VO2), and energy expenditure. Analysis of the HR and VO2 responses indicatedthat rock climbing does not elicit the traditional linear HR- VO2relationship characteristic of treadmill exercise.

Extensive VO2 max study on CLIFF clearly indicates that the equipment is well suited for any fitness training program for enhancing the anaerobic and aerobic powers. Energy expenditures of more than about 16kcal/min were observed as opposed to about 10kcal/min on a treadmill.

For Exact results with comparative analysis click here.

CONCLUSIONS: These data indicatethat indoor rock climbing is a good activity to increase cardio-respiratoryfitness, being a good selective muscle trainer for muscular growth and endurance for both males and females.

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