Int J Sports Med 2012; 33(01): 13-17
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1284348
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Plasma Cortisol Concentrations and Perceived Anxiety in Response to On-Sight Rock Climbing

N. Draper
1   School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
T. Dickson
1   School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
S. Fryer
1   School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
G. Blackwell
1   School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
D. Winter
1   School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
C. Scarrott
2   Department of Maths and Statistics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
,
G. Ellis
1   School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 24 June 2011

Publication Date:
07 October 2011 (online)

Abstract

Previous research suggested plasma cortisol concentrations in response to rock climbing have a cubic relationship with state anxiety and self-confidence. This research, however, was conducted in a situation where the climbers had previously climbed the route. The purpose of our study was to examine this relationship in response to on-sight climbing. Nineteen (13 male, 6 female) intermediate climbers volunteered to attend anthropometric and baseline testing sessions, prior to an on-sight ascent (lead climb or top-rope) of the test climb (grade 19 Ewbank/6a sport/5.10b YDS). Data recorded included state anxiety, self-confidence and cortisol concentrations prior to completing the climb. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in state anxiety, self-confidence and plasma cortisol concentration regardless of the style of ascent (lead climb or top-rope) in an on-sight sport climbing context. Regression analysis indicated there was a significant linear relationship between plasma cortisol concentrations and self-confidence (r= − 0.52, R2=0.267, p=0.024), cognitive (r=0.5, R2=0.253, p=0.028), and somatic anxieties (r=0.46, R2=0.210, p=0.049). In an on-sight condition the relationships between plasma cortisol concentrations with anxiety (cognitive and somatic) and self-confidence were linear.

 
  • References

  • 1 Anders TF, Sachar EJ, Kream J, Roffwarg HP, Hellman L. Behavioral state and plasma cortisol response in the human newborn. Pediatrics 1970; 46: 532
  • 2 Armario A, Marti O, Molina T, de Pablo J, Valdes M. Acute stress markers in humans: Response of plasma glucose, cortisol and prolactin to two examinations differing in the anxiety they provoke. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1996; 21: 17-24
  • 3 Billat V, Palleja P, Charlaix T, Rizzardo P, Janel N. Energy specificity of rock climbing and aerobic capacity in competitive sport rock climbers. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1995; 35: 20-24
  • 4 Booth J, Marino F, Hill C, Gwinn T. Energy cost of sport rock climbing in elite performers. Br J Sports Med 1999; 33: 14-18
  • 5 Brown WA, Sirota AD, Niaura R, Engebretson TO. Endocrine correlates of sadness and elation. Psychosom Med 1993; 55: 458-467
  • 6 Cox RH, Martens MP, Russell WD. Measuring anxiety in athletics: the revised competitive state anxiety inventory-2. J Sport Exerc Psych 2003; 25: 519-533
  • 7 Draper N, Hodgson C. Adventure Sport Physiology. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell; 2008
  • 8 Draper N, Jones G, Fryer S, Hodgson C, Blackwell G. Physiological and psychological responses to lead and top rope climbing for intermediate rock climbers. Eur J Sports Sci 2010; 10: 13-20
  • 9 Draper N, Jones GA, Fryer S, Hodgson C, Blackwell G. Effect of an on-sight lead on the physiological and psychological responses to rock climbing. J Sports Sci Med 2008; 7: 492-498
  • 10 Espana-Romero V, Porcel F, Artero E, Jimenez-Pavon D, Sainz A, Garzon M, Ruiz J. Climbing time to exhaustion is a determinant of climbing performance in high-level climbers. Eur J Appl Physiol 2009; 107: 517-525
  • 11 Fontani G, Bonifazi M, Lupo C, Martelli G, Maffei D, Cameli S, Polldori F. Influence of a volleyball match on cortisol response in young athletes. Coach Sport Sci J 1998; 3: 25-27
  • 12 Goddard D, Neumann U. Performance Rock Climbing. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books; 1993
  • 13 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
  • 14 Hill E, Zack E, Battaglini C, Viru M, Viru A, Hackney A. Exercise and circulating cortisol levels: the intensity threshold effect. J Endocrinol Invest 2008; 31: 587-591
  • 15 Hodgson CI, Draper N, McMorris T, Jones G, Fryer S, Coleman I. Perceived anxiety and plasma cortisol concentrations following rock climbing with differing safety rope protocols. Br J Sports Med 2009; 43: 531
  • 16 Janot J, Steffen J, Porcari J, Maher M. Heart rate responses and percieved exertion for beginner and recreational sport climbers during indoor climbing. J Exerc Physiol 2000; 3: 1-7
  • 17 Lewis J, Elder P. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for plasma cortisol. J Steroid Biochem 1985; 22: 673-676
  • 18 Llewellyn D, Sanchez X. Individual differences and risk taking in rock climbing. Psych Sport Exerc 2008; 9: 413-426
  • 19 Llewellyn D, Sanchez X, Asghar A, Jones G. Self-efficacy, risk taking and performance in rock climbing. Person Individ Diff 2008; 45: 75-81
  • 20 MacLeod D, Sutherland D, Buntin L, Whitaker A, Aitchison T. Physiological determinants of climbing-specific finger endurance and sport rock climbing performance. J Sports Sci 2007; 25: 1433-1443
  • 21 Morrison AB, Schoffl VR. Physiological responses to rock climbing in young climbers. Br J Sports Med 2007; 41: 852-861
  • 22 Sheel A. Physiology of sport rock climbing. Br J Sports Med 2004; 38: 355-359
  • 23 Sheel A, Seddon N, Knight A, McKenzie D, Warburton D. Physiological responses to indoor rock-climbing and their relationship to maximal cycle ergometry. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003; 35: 1225-1231
  • 24 Sherk VD, Sherk KA, Kim SJ, Young KC, Bemben DA. Hormone responses to a continuous bout of rock climbing in men. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 1-7
  • 25 Volovitz B, Kauschansky A, Nussinovitch M, Harel L, Varsano I. Normal diurnal variation in serum cortisol concentration in asthmatic children treated with inhaled budesonide. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995; 96: 874-878
  • 26 Watts P. Physiology of difficult rock climbing. Eur J Appl Physiol 2004; 91: 361-372