Climbing is a sport that requires a lot of finger strength. Bouldering and alpine climbing are both examples of this. If you’re new to climbing, your fingers will most likely be sore no matter what you do.
Is Climbing bad for your fingers?
No, climbing is not harmful to your fingers, at least not when done correctly. Improper technique can result in injuries, but proper climbing strengthens the tendons in the hands and fingers overtime.
Does climbing make your fingers fat?
The reason rock climbers have thicker-looking fingers at times is due to how frequently and how hard they train. The tendons grow, sometimes doubling in size, as a result of supporting so much weight on the fingers. The bones can also thicken to protect the digit from stress damage such as microfractures.
Does climbing damage fingers?
Climbers most commonly injure their A2 pulley in the finger. The injuries are classified into three types: minor sprains, moderate sprains, and torn pulleys. And the injuries are difficult to recover from, especially for climbers over the age of 50.
Climbing, on the other hand, strengthens the tendons of the fingers, so if you’re careful and follow a disciplined training regimen, there’s a good chance you’ll be in your 60s or 70s and climbing well.
Can you do climbing while suffering from Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is caused by joint wear and tear. As a result, it is caused by improper loads and abnormal stress on the same joints over time. This is what happens when you repeatedly place abnormal loads on your fingers and joints over a long period of time. As of now, there is no conclusive evidence that sports activities cause Osteoarthritis.
Don’t confuse Osteoarthritis with “normal” Arthritis; they’re not the same thing. Arthritis is typically more severe, and as an inflammatory disease, it first affects the joint capsules. Osteoarthritis usually affects the cartilage of the joints first and is not as severe.
Climbing is likely to remodel your bones, making them stronger and more powerful – a nice side effect! A study discovered that non-climbers had a higher risk of osteoarthritis than climbers, particularly in the thumb finger joints.
Is Climbing good for arthritis?
Climbing is often recommended by physiotherapists for people suffering from arthritis. Climbing is excellent for increasing core and hip flexibility. While arthritis will most likely reduce climbing performance, a general regimen of sport and exercise is still beneficial to arthritis patients. When your maximum range of motion is limited due to arthritis, maintaining strong muscles and flexibility becomes even more important!
Injuries related to Fingers from Rock Climbing
Most injuries occur on the ring finger as a result of unequal weight distribution. The best way to keep your middle finger joints safe is to practise finding positions and postures that allow for better weight distribution between all of your fingers.
How to Strengthen Fingers for Rock Climbing
There are a few things you can do to strengthen your fingers and make them less prone to injury.
Using a hang board
There are many different types of hang boards, and you can mount them anywhere that can support your weight, making them simple to set up and use. Ascertain that it is positioned so that you can easily lower yourself to the floor following a deadlift. Dropping to the ground has the potential to injure your fingers. Beginners should avoid using hangboards until they have been climbing for at least 6 months.
Forearm exercises
You can use a dumbbell by first picking it up with your fingers and then rolling it into a fist. If you can do this comfortably ten times, the weight is too light. You should be able to complete eight before needing to rest.
Climbing more often
Frequent, low-intensity climbs will not only increase your strength, but will also prevent your fingers from protecting themselves by thickening tendons and bones. It’s best to climb steadily and frequently, with as little stress on your finger joints as possible. Climbs can be kept low-intensity by balancing the weight across all of your fingers and sticking to easier climbs.
In Conclusion, There are numerous things you can do to keep your fingers in good shape and looking great. Maintain a low-stress workout routine and pay attention to your body. If you’re doing extra arm or finger strength workouts, make sure to take plenty of breaks in between. If you are in pain, something is wrong, and you should adjust your climbing level and rest your hands.
If you have a history of arthritis, you should take extra precautions to warm up properly and work on your finger flexibility. Osteoarthritis is caused by joint wear and tear. As a result, it is caused by improper loads and abnormal stress on the same joints over time. This is what happens when you repeatedly place abnormal loads on your fingers and joints over a long period of time.
