Synopsis of climbing - Instrumentation and testing of equipment

Abstract

Design, development, and testing of sports equipment and measurement devices are classical engineering domains, and try to lead an athlete to greater heights. However, unlike other sports disciplines, climbing equipment does not target at gaining additional centiseconds or centimeters, which are rather an equipment factor than directly related to the athlete's performance. In climbing, equipment concerns safety and prevention of injuries as well as overuse syndromes. Thus, equipment becomes an important legal issue, once more people are involved and interacting, such as lead climber and belayer. © 2006 Springer-Verlag New York.