Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers.

The ongoing mental health crisis among college students raises the necessity of further research on physical, mental, and social well-being; and the role that indoor climbing can play in fostering social connection and improving mental health while also increasing physical fitness. Indoor climbing h...

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Main Authors: Elsa C Osborne, Jeff Rose, Logan Reeves, Kelli Spear, Max E Coleman, Timothy A Brusseau, Kathy Franchek-Roa, Akiko Kamimura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321542
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author Elsa C Osborne
Jeff Rose
Logan Reeves
Kelli Spear
Max E Coleman
Timothy A Brusseau
Kathy Franchek-Roa
Akiko Kamimura
author_facet Elsa C Osborne
Jeff Rose
Logan Reeves
Kelli Spear
Max E Coleman
Timothy A Brusseau
Kathy Franchek-Roa
Akiko Kamimura
author_sort Elsa C Osborne
collection DOAJ
description The ongoing mental health crisis among college students raises the necessity of further research on physical, mental, and social well-being; and the role that indoor climbing can play in fostering social connection and improving mental health while also increasing physical fitness. Indoor climbing has many health benefits. Increasing numbers of young adults are involved in indoor climbing; however, research on health and indoor climbing for young adults is lacking. The objective of this qualitative study was to describe indoor climbing and its relationship with the physical, mental, and social well-being of young adults based on perceptions among indoor climbers. Thirty indoor climbers age 18-25 were interviewed from October 2023 to December 2023. The interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic methods. Most participants agreed that indoor climbing positively affected all three areas of their well-being. Themes emerged showing that climbing facilitates a sense of connection, acts as a form of mindfulness, boosts overall mental health, and encourages healthier lifestyles. The results of this study suggest indoor climbing may be effective to promote health among college students and young adults.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
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series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj-art-edb239785a554e18b0a8c4c6a00814a22025-08-20T02:13:53ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01204e032154210.1371/journal.pone.0321542Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers.Elsa C OsborneJeff RoseLogan ReevesKelli SpearMax E ColemanTimothy A BrusseauKathy Franchek-RoaAkiko KamimuraThe ongoing mental health crisis among college students raises the necessity of further research on physical, mental, and social well-being; and the role that indoor climbing can play in fostering social connection and improving mental health while also increasing physical fitness. Indoor climbing has many health benefits. Increasing numbers of young adults are involved in indoor climbing; however, research on health and indoor climbing for young adults is lacking. The objective of this qualitative study was to describe indoor climbing and its relationship with the physical, mental, and social well-being of young adults based on perceptions among indoor climbers. Thirty indoor climbers age 18-25 were interviewed from October 2023 to December 2023. The interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic methods. Most participants agreed that indoor climbing positively affected all three areas of their well-being. Themes emerged showing that climbing facilitates a sense of connection, acts as a form of mindfulness, boosts overall mental health, and encourages healthier lifestyles. The results of this study suggest indoor climbing may be effective to promote health among college students and young adults.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321542
spellingShingle Elsa C Osborne
Jeff Rose
Logan Reeves
Kelli Spear
Max E Coleman
Timothy A Brusseau
Kathy Franchek-Roa
Akiko Kamimura
Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers.
PLoS ONE
title Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers.
title_full Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers.
title_fullStr Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers.
title_full_unstemmed Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers.
title_short Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers.
title_sort indoor climbing and well being of young adults perspectives among indoor climbers
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321542
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