• 7:30 –8:00 am Welcome and introductions, course objectives 
• 8 am- 8:30 am  Research review of climbing injuries and prevalence: indoor, outdoor  
• 8:30- 9:00 am Climbing physiology and biomechanics for performance as it relates to exam  and test selection 
• 9:00- 9:30 am  Adult, youth, and female athlete special considerations 
• 9:30 –10:45 am  Upper extremity differential diagnosis & sport-specific assessment for the  climbing athlete; red flag screening  
• 10:45 -12 pm LAB: Movement system assessment for clinical differential diagnosis of  common injuries and impairments  
• 12pm-1pm LUNCH  
• 1 pm -2:00 pm   LAB/LECTURE: Review UE screening case studies and how to implement  screening in community and clinic settings 
• 2:00 pm- 3:45 pm LAB:  Deep dive into elbow, wrist, and hand treatment for climbing athletes  (Manual therapy, Exercise, BFR, Dry needling, Grip, and force assessment) 
• 3:45- 4:15 pm Return to sport protocols and multidisciplinary communication 
• 4:15- 5:30 pm LAB: Group case studies (wrist, forearm, shoulder, ankle) 
• 5:30-6:00 pm  Test: individual learning assessment 

Elaina Stover, PT, DPT, RYT 

Dr. Stover is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis physical therapy program and Exos Sports Performance program. She blends her knowledge of sports performance with the movement system impairment (MSI) system to meet the needs of climbing athletes. She has co-created climbing injury screens and educational lectures for youth and adult athletes in St. Louis, MO, and Tucson, AZ.

Furthermore, as an avid climber, she brings both her personal and clinical experience working with climbing athletes to help make the research easy to translate into clinical application. She is a Hueco Tanks climbing guide and provides PT advice to various levels of climbing athletes. She also treats pelvic health as a level 1 APTA pelvic health specialist which helps her provide unique education to female climbing athletes. 

Climbing Medicine: Evaluation & Treatment of the Climbing Athlete 

Examination/Evaluation: 

1. Identify and examine the anatomy of the forearm, wrist, and hand  

1. Identify and examine the anatomy of the upper extremity  

1. Describe the function of UE musculature in climbing 

1. Identify and screen for common acute and chronic climbing injuries, youth-specific injuries, the female athlete triad  

Diagnosis/Prognosis: 

1. Differentiate between stiff and short musculature of UE structures 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of diagnostics and special tests used in differential diagnosis for climbing athletes 

1. Demonstrate ability to understand when to refer for imaging 

1. Demonstrate ability to compose a plan of care including functional goals, return to sport protocol, and prognosis for athletes 

1. Understand climbing-specific elements of performance and tests and measures to assess performance elements 

Intervention: 

1. Teach exercises to support the proper relationship of pronation and extensor muscles to climbing grip  

1. Describe and implement various interventions available to strengthen muscles of UE and LE in climbing specific sport activities 

1. Demonstrate proper use of crane scale training and campus board training using various grip types and proper scapular mechanics. 

1. Perform return to sport protocols for most common acute and chronic injuries 

1. Develop proper blood flow restriction and dry needling plan of care for various differential diagnoses if applicable