Cognitive Factors that Influence the Relationship between Sports Experience and Climbing Performance in Youth Romanian Climbers

Vasile Antonia Ioana,

Published on: 2022-10-05

Abstract

Objective: Climbing performance can be divided into two types: on-sight climbing and red point climbing. There is a difference between motor climbing performance as a personal best route climbed by an athlete and competitive performance being a social comparison regime between athletes. The objective of the present study was to determine if and how some cognitive factors (spatial orientation and reaction time) can influence the predictive relationship between sports experience and sports performance at youth elite climbers.

Methods: The study was conducted on 17 youth climbers. The inclusion criteria were age, a minimum of three trainings per week, the minimum climbing grade 7a and active participation in internal and/or external competitions. We used the Cognitrom battery to apply the tests of measuring spatial skills and speed in reactions.

Results: As the sport experience and competitive experience increase, the spatial skills decrease. As climber’s competitive performance increases, so do their spatial skills and ability to generate mental images. Reaction time in elections moderates the relationship between sports experience and on-sight climbing performance.

Conclusions: There are significant correlations between certain cognitive factors and experience, but also climbing performance. Cognitive variables differently influence the relationship between experience and on-sight performance versus red point performance.

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