Rock Climbing: Connective Tissue Health
Column #79, 21st November 2009
In the previous article we introduced the importance of conditioning for rock climbing. As any hardened climber will know, the way to progress is to get on the rock and practice. However, there are many effective cutting edge techniques that we can employ to increase our strength and fitness, prevent and manage injuries and enhance recovery rates. Today we will focus on the importance of the Connective Tissue (fascia) to a climber.
Connective Tissue Health
If you are serious about your performance as a climber and progressing, learning about the connective tissue / fascial system could take you to the next level and unlock some potential. Fascia connects everything in your body – bone, muscle, organs – and is what gives you stability, strength, power and structure. It is possibly the most important tissue for a climber.
When you see a skilled climber at work, the defined and toned body is due to the properties of connective tissue. It integrates and connects the whole body, meaning that it is possible to hang your whole body weight off of one fingertip. Impressive stuff. Being ‘as strong as your weakest link’ is pertinent to climbing and if you want to iron this out in your athletic ability you need to find out what you don’t know about the connective tissue/fascia.
Integrated Body System
Connective tissue means that everything in the body is connected to each other through some tissue or other. For example, the strength in our core relates to the strength we have in the arms when we pull ourselves up. This is also why your grip and forearm strength is so limiting of ability. We are integrated systems. This is also known as the principle of ‘tensegrity’ – one well worth getting to grips with for strength and conditioning progression.
Fluidity in Motion
If the connective tissue is healthy and strong then you can move efficiently and smoothly, with control, strength and power. If there are injuries, tensions, dehydration and blockages in the tissue, then this will undoubtedly affect the ability of the musculoskeletal system to function. All tissues in the body require water to function effectively, so this can be the number one change you make.
What about Muscles?
The muscular system requires the connective tissue to give it structure and contractility. Without this, muscles cannot function and contract and produce force. Too much focus is given to the muscular system at the detriment of the connective tissue. Tensions and imbalance created by overworked muscles and inappropriate isolation strength training exercises, often lead to muscular imbalances and structural problems. This typically causes a reduction in strength and ability on the rock, not to mention increased injury risk. The opposite of what we want.
The Bowen Technique - Science Behind Climbing
As you will know, there are always new methods to use to improve performance on the rock. As research is uncovering more and more about strength and conditioning, injury management, soft tissue therapies and fascia function, there are even more options open to you. Due to the significance of fascia, I’m particularly excited about how The Bowen Technique can impact performance. Any inquisitive climbers out there can give me a call/email and find out more at www.thebowentechnique.co.uk
