Survey of sport climbing-related skin disorders

Abstract

Recently sport climbing has become very popular as an athletic competition. Numerous cases of climbing-related musculoskeletal disorders have been reported so far, but the prevalence of climbing-related skin disorders has remained unclear. In this study, we interviewed and examined 60 climbers (51 males and 9 females) to assess whether they had any health complaints related to the skin of their hands and feet. The average age, months of experience, and activity hours per week were 33.9 years, 40.8 months, and 9.1 hours, respectively. Our interview revealed that most of the climbers (93.3%) had experienced excoriations on their fingers and many climbers (90.0%) were aware of the need for frequent nail trimming as part of their self-management. The medical examination disclosed that calluses of the fingers were observed frequently (90.0%) and the predilection site was between the DIP and PIP joints of the right fifth finger (68.3%). Bilateral athlete's nodules of the toes were characteristic findings on climbers' feet. The prevalence of athlete's nodule was 83.3% and the size of the athlete's nodule correlated with activity hours in a week (r = 0.653). This survey showed the influence of sport climbing which places a burden on climbers' fingers and requires tight shoes to be worn, which can rub against their skin. We hope to apply these results to the prevention of climbing-related skin disorders and the provision of advice about climbers' skin care.