Cardiovascular and metabolic responses during indoor climbing and laboratory cycling exercise in advanced and élite climbers

Purpose To validate heart rate (f H) as an effective indicator of the aerobic demands of climbing, the f H vs oxygen uptake (\(\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}\)) relationship determined during cycling exercise and climbing on a circular climbing treadwall was compared. Possible differences in maximum aerobic characteristics between advanced and elite climbers were also assessed.