| Are you thinking of taking up climbing as a sport? It | | | | A medical condition called Lateral Epicondylitis afflicts |
| can be an exhilarating and rewarding sport. Like most, | | | | many climbers in the forearm and elbow. Repetitive |
| you probably think that falling is the biggest danger | | | | use of grabbing and pulling with the arms creates |
| especially if you've never climbed before. With all of | | | | strain in these tendons and can lead to damage. |
| the modern climbing equipment, falling is actually one | | | | Physical injuries from continued strain are not the only |
| of the least likely accidents. Falling is a risk but there | | | | common injuries. Debris and rocks can be loosened |
| are many other injuries that are more common. You | | | | and fall on you and other climbers. There is also the |
| should be aware of these risks and how to prevent | | | | threat of large scale hazards, including avalanches. |
| them before you get involved in mountain or rock | | | | They are most likely to occur in the changes of |
| climbing. | | | | seasons from winter to spring. While this kind of |
| Gravity is something that our bodies are used to in | | | | danger is rare, you should be aware of the hazards. |
| normal day-to-day living but when you climb you're | | | | As stated before, falls are not the most common |
| fighting gravity even harder. You use your fingers, | | | | occurrence for climbers but they can happen and |
| hands, feet and limbs to fight the forces of gravity. | | | | proper precautions need to be taken. Falls are more |
| To add to this, you are usually climbing in extreme | | | | likely when you are tired, dehydrated and exposed |
| temperatures and in jagged terrain. | | | | to extreme temperatures. In these situations your |
| Our bones are connected by thick tissues called | | | | coordination is bad, your muscles are more fatigued |
| ligaments. They're not as elastic as our muscles so | | | | and your judgement is poor. Of course weather plays |
| when they're stretched and put under strain they can | | | | an important part in this sport so do try climbing at a |
| tear or come away from the bone. This type of | | | | place like Benidorm which is famed for good weather. |
| injury is called collateral ligament strain and for | | | | Mountain and rock climbing can be an exhilarating and |
| climbers it is most typically in the fingers. It is caused | | | | rewarding sport and make for a great outdoor |
| by repeatedly pulling your body up with just a few | | | | vacation. Any sport has risks involved, though |
| fingers. Even mild cases result in pain in the fingers | | | | climbing risks can lead to more serious injuries. All of |
| and limited function. | | | | these risks should be considered before you take up |
| Tendons attach muscles to bones and are also not | | | | climbing so you know how to avoid these injuries and |
| very elastic so they are prone to strain and damage. | | | | dangers. |