Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing

Serap Akyol Tunç; Abdullah Güngör; Alkan Uğurlu; İlkay Orhan; Kadriye Tombak

Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sport climbing involves repetitive loadings specific to the foot and ankle structures. Tight footwear, prolonged activity, and technical foot placements may lead to biomechanical alterations and deformities. Existing literature on this topic remains limited. Aim: This study aims to examine the relationship between plantar pressure distribution and foot deformities in sport climbers and to assess the impact of climbing experience on these parameters. Methods: A total of 37 climbers with at least two years of regular climbing experience participated in this cross-sectional study conducted in Antalya. Static and dynamic plantar pressure measurements were obtained using a portable pedobarographic system. Observed foot deformities, pain symptoms, and shoe size differences were recorded. Appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Hallux valgus was observed in 81.1% of participants, with additional findings of claw toe, dermatological changes, and nail deformities. A significant positive correlation was found between shoe size difference and plantar contact area (r = 0.35, p = 0.032). COP angle was significantly higher on the left foot (p = 0.041), indicating asymmetrical loading. Climbing experience was significantly associated with foot deformity risk (p = 0.027), and climbing style comparisons showed differences particularly between lead–sport and bouldering–sport climbing (p < 0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: This study confirms that sport climbing may contribute to foot deformities and plantar asymmetries. From a clinical perspective, climbing shoes should be selected based on individual plantar pressure analysis. Supportive insoles and corrective strategies may be considered. Foot-strengthening and proprioceptive exercises should be integrated into training routines to minimize injury risk and optimize performance, particularly in developing athletes

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Akdeniz University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Antalya, Türkiye. Dokuz Eylül University, Institute of Health Sciences, İzmir, Türkiye.

Project Number

Not applicable.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Akdeniz University Medical Scientific Research Ethics Committee prior to the commencement of the study (Decision No: KAEK-768, Date: 28.11.2024). All procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Thanks

We would like to thank Uzay Sağlık Prosthetics & Orthotics Application Center for their technical support and for providing access to the plantar pressure analysis device.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physiotherapy

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Serap Akyol Tunç
0009-0006-1050-604X
Türkiye

Abdullah Güngör ^*
0000-0002-2021-209X
Türkiye

Alkan Uğurlu
0000-0002-4828-6285
Türkiye

İlkay Orhan
0000-0002-4875-2784
Türkiye

Kadriye Tombak
0000-0002-9574-7443
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 30, 2025

Submission Date

October 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 2, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 1 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA68LZ95KC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Akyol Tunç, S., Güngör, A., Uğurlu, A., Orhan, İ., & Tombak, K. (2025). Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing. Clinical Physiotherapy and Related Research, 1(2), 64-75. https://izlik.org/JA68LZ95KC

AMA

1.Akyol Tunç S, Güngör A, Uğurlu A, Orhan İ, Tombak K. Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing. PT. 2025;1(2):64-75. https://izlik.org/JA68LZ95KC

Chicago

Akyol Tunç, Serap, Abdullah Güngör, Alkan Uğurlu, İlkay Orhan, and Kadriye Tombak. 2025. “Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing”. Clinical Physiotherapy and Related Research 1 (2): 64-75. https://izlik.org/JA68LZ95KC.

EndNote

Akyol Tunç S, Güngör A, Uğurlu A, Orhan İ, Tombak K (December 1, 2025) Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing. Clinical Physiotherapy and Related Research 1 2 64–75.

IEEE

[1]S. Akyol Tunç, A. Güngör, A. Uğurlu, İ. Orhan, and K. Tombak, “Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing”, PT, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 64–75, Dec. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA68LZ95KC

ISNAD

Akyol Tunç, Serap - Güngör, Abdullah - Uğurlu, Alkan - Orhan, İlkay - Tombak, Kadriye. “Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing”. Clinical Physiotherapy and Related Research 1/2 (December 1, 2025): 64-75. https://izlik.org/JA68LZ95KC.

JAMA

1.Akyol Tunç S, Güngör A, Uğurlu A, Orhan İ, Tombak K. Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing. PT. 2025;1:64–75.

MLA

Akyol Tunç, Serap, et al. “Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing”. Clinical Physiotherapy and Related Research, vol. 1, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 64-75, https://izlik.org/JA68LZ95KC.

Vancouver

1.Serap Akyol Tunç, Abdullah Güngör, Alkan Uğurlu, İlkay Orhan, Kadriye Tombak. Investigation of The Relationship Between Climbing Shoe Use and Foot Health in Individuals Engaged in Sport Climbing. PT [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1;1(2):64-75. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA68LZ95KC