In recent years, sport climbing has experienced a great development and increase in popularity, which is why there is a lot of literature available about climbing training. However, the existing literature and research lacks information on what the training of top climbers should look like and what are the key elements for implementing quality training at the highest level. In this master's thesis, we therefore investigated the training of top sport climbers, focusing on specific methods and accessories used in professional sport climbing. The objectives of the master's thesis were: to define the training methods and accessories used with professional climbers; to determine which methods and tools are used by coaches and to identify any differences in the use of methods and tools by professional sport climbers.
Seven sport climbing coaches were included in the study. We used semi-structured interviews, in which we asked the coaches questions about different training methods, planning for the new season, and areas that encompass the entire training process. Using thematic analysis, we analyzed their responses and formulated key themes that were relevant to our research questions.
We found that when it comes to training planning, coaches set priorities that depend on the specific needs of the athletes. Their approaches, the amount of training, and monitoring progress are different. Individualization of training is key, with coaches adapting the content to the specific weaknesses of individuals. Differences in the approaches of coaches reflect different training philosophies, which can have a significant impact on the progress of climbers. These results can serve as an aid to coaches in improving their methods and as a source of useful information for expirienced recreational climbers who want to improve their climbing skills.
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