Physiological Effects of Bouldering in 4th and 5th Grade Girls

With the problem of childhood obesity on the rise,§it is important to provide a comprehensive physical§education program that motivates students to lead§healthy, active lifestyles. Adventure education is§on the forefront of a curriculum shift from§traditional sports to cutting edge, lifelong§activities. With this change, many schools are§turning toward equipment such as bouldering walls, a§rock wall about 8 feet tall where students climb§across versus up. Bouldering walls can be used as§fitness stations or even as integrative game§centers. However, because of the novelty of this§activity, there is little research on the §physiological response to bouldering. Researching§ways that bouldering walls can be used and providing§research that shows bouldering can increase heart§rate encourages the change from traditional sports§to innovative, lifelong activities. This book, §therefore, provides statistical insight into the§physiological effects of bouldering activities and§compares two ways to use a bouldering wall. Although§there is still much research to be done, this is an§excellent resource for educators who want to learn§about the benefits of bouldering activities.