The Climbing Doctor Podcast Youth Climbing Fitness Testing - Jac Brown
Nov 1, 2025
42:35
In this conversation, Jared Vagy and Jack Brown discuss the necessity of developing a climbing-specific fitness battery for youth climbers. They explore the metabolic and biomechanical demands of climbing, the importance of assessing injury resilience, and the components of a comprehensive fitness assessment. The discussion includes a detailed breakdown of a two-day testing schedule, focusing on strength, power, and climbing-specific movements, while emphasizing the importance of strength training in preventing injuries and enhancing performance.
Jac Brown's Bio
- Jac Brown is a physical therapist and avid climber, blending a passion for movement with a commitment to helping others stay active. After earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Jac moved to New England, where she began working with youth climbers and supporting local youth climbing teams as a clinical resource. When not on the wall, Jac can be found juggling or geocaching around her neighborhood. Reach out at jac.brwndpt@gmail.com or via Instagram @dr.jac_dpt if you'd like to chat about injury prevention, rehab, or strength training for climbing
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to Climbing-Specific Fitness
- 03:08 The Need for a Fitness Battery in Youth Climbing
- 06:00 Understanding Energy Demands in Climbing
- 08:58 Assessing Biomechanical and Injury Risks
- 12:00 Components of a Climbing Fitness Assessment
- 15:12 Importance of Strength Training for Resilience
- 18:12 Designing a Standardized Testing Protocol
- 21:04 Day One: Flexibility and Strength Testing
- 23:52 Day Two: Climbing-Specific Movement Assessment
- 26:57 Final Thoughts and Future Directions
Links and Resources for This Episode:
Social Media and Webpage:
- ๐ธ๏ธWebpage / ๐ธ Instagram /๐Pinterest / ๐ Blog Articles:
Books, Injury Protocols, and Rehab Tools
Injury Rehab Coures