Climbing has been part of human nature since time immemorial, our ancestors used it to escape predators, to flee from flooding valleys, to gather food and to move to new territories. However it was not until the middle 1700’s that man started to use climbing not as a means to ensure survival, but as a source of pleasure and desire to climb and explore. For almost two centuries climbing has evolved through, what has often been referred to as a trial and error method, into a state of the art, modern day sport with various sub disciplines like sport climbing, trad - climbing, ice climbing, free climbing and bouldering. In its purest form it is one of the most awe inspiring sports to watch and take part in, and for those select few that dedicate their lives to it, it is a means to make a living, and a way to live on into eternity. Over the past 15 years climbing has become a widely practised and one of the fastest growing sports around the world, and is practised by people from all walks of life, from pre-primary school children right through to retired pensioners, from unemployed students to the most successful business men and women. With this growing interest among the population there also came a growing interest in the use of climbing for various other purposes like psycho-therapy, rehabilitation, team building. But more importantly, for this study, it has urged the researcher to ask what are the discursive resources and strategies that are employed by modern day climbers, seeing as the climbing community consists of such a large variety of people. This study was done from a Discursive Psychology perspective, and was strongly influenced by the work of Jonathan Potter and Derek Edwards, as well as the work of the Rhetoric Group from Loughborough University. The Discursive Psychology approach focuses on management and accomplishment of action and interaction through talk. Discourse is viewed as a resource that functions to accomplish action and Discursive Analysis focuses on the manner that discursive resources are being employed to achieve certain actions in interaction. For Discursive Psychology it is important to view both the material context and embodiment as important in the construction of action. So too in Rock Climbing are these two aspects very important and very relevant because of the prominence of physical activity in the sport. The research focused on how climbers talk during climbing and what discursive resources and strategies they employ during rock climbing discourses. The most prominent of these resources and strategies that were found in the analysis were laughter, pauses and delays, intensifiers ( words that are used to emphasize and pinpoint other words), loud uttering of words, change-of-state tokens, disclaimers, discourse markers, extreme case formulations, agreement-implicative acknowledgement tokens, hedge words / devices, speech-overlapping, previous experiences, and footing. This research hopes to offer alternative explanations in sport and psychology, by studying naturally occurring conversations between climbers, instead of the more traditional pre – and – post experience testing that has dominated studies in psychology for so long. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Psychology / unrestricted

The popularity of rock-climbing is continuously increasing. However, little research is available on the pedagogy of rock-climbing. Student climbing self-efficacy and the learning activities and instructional strategies used were monitored throughout a five-month long high school rock-climbing program. The baseline rock-climbing experience of consenting participants (n = 26) ranged from novice to the junior competitive level. This case study of a single class of 30 students included both quantitative and qualitative data sources. Data collection methods included: (a) questionnaires, (b) observations of the learning environment, (c) individual reflection journals, (d) focus group interviews, and (e) a course outline. Quantitative analysis revealed no significant change in the self-efficacy scores of participants. Qualitative analysis provided insight into: (a) the type of learning environment conducive to improving climbing self-efficacy, (b) the influence of the sources of self-efficacy, and (c) the activities that were more efficient for developing student climbing self-efficacy. This study explored how sources of self-efficacy can be translated into learning activities and instructional strategies for rock-climbing programs. Learning activities and instructional strategies should be meaningful, diversified, individualized, progressively challenging, and take place in a safe and collaborative environment. A future study may investigate the effect of participation in climbing programs on motivations to pursue climbing independently. / Graduate / 0523 / 0575 / 0633

The intensification of agricultural production in the Mekong Delta has faced serious challenges with respect to increased use of agrochemicals and especially pesticides. The indiscriminate use of pesticide could potentially impact on the long-term food production, environmental and human health in the delta. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the negative side effects of the current use of pesticides on climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) in rice fields using brain acetylcholinesterase (hereafter referred to as AChE) activity as a biomarker. The empirical work, on which this thesis is based, includes structured questionnaires, laboratory and field experiments. First, a field survey using questionnaires was carried out to gain a better understanding of the current state of rice farming systems, the use of pesticides and attitude to pest management strategies among rice and rice-fish farmers, as well as to provide basic information for the set-up of the laboratory and field experiments. Secondly, laboratory studies were conducted to clarify if the selected insecticides applied alone and in mixtures caused negative side effects on climbing perch fingerlings. Thirdly, further toxicity studies were carried out, under rice field conditions, to further investigate the toxicity effects of the insecticides, applied alone, in mixtures and under sequential applications, on climbing perch fingerlings. The results showed that although there were a more selective use of pesticides and an increased awareness among farmers of the negative side effects of pesticides in 2007 as compared to 1999, the current use of pesticide in the Mekong Delta still cause many problems to the environment and human health. Chlorpyrifos ethyl (hereafter referred to as CPF) was found to cause a significant and more prolonged inhibition on the brain AChE activity in climbing perch than fenobucarb (hereafter referred to as F). The inhibition by the mixture of CPF and F were significantly higher than the inhibition by only F, but less prolonged and significant lower than the inhibition by only CPF. The results suggest that the combined effect from a mixture of F and CPF can create both additive effects initially and later antagonistic effects. CPF and F applied at concentrations used by farmers, either as separate doses, in a mixture or in sequential doses, decreased the brain AChE activity, growth and survival rates in climbing perch. The results demonstrate that brain AChE activity in climbing perch is a relevant biomarker for monitoring of exposure to, and sub-lethal impacts from organophosphates and carbamates under tropical conditions. The result also shows that 2-PAM re-activate the brain AChE activity, and can be used as an alternative method to assess the AChE inhibition level in organisms recently exposed to OP’s, in situation where it may be difficult to find unexposed individuals as controls. In conclusion, this thesis shows that the current use of pesticides in the Mekong Delta has a negative effect on climbing perch living in rice fields. It indicates that a sustained long-term food production in the Mekong Delta must be based on ecological principles, taking advantages of ecosystem biodiversity and productivity, and not through intensified use of pesticides. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Submitted. Paper 5: Submitted.</p>

Title: Unilateral functional asymmetry of forearm muscles in sport climbers Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of experienced strain injury of forearm muscles on maximal isometric strength ratios between the flexors and extensors of the fingers in sport climbers. Methods: People were in two groups, twelve people in each of them. In the first group were the climbers after the strain injuries of forearm muscles (earlier than in last 3 months). In the second group were the climbers without these injuries. The dynamometer MIE Medical in Laboratory of sport motoric FTVS UK was used for the method. The maximal value of isometric strength of flexors and extensors of the fingers was measured. For the analysis of the results was used the unpaired t-test for unequal sample sizes with equal variances. Results: The climbers with experienced forearm muscle injury had statistically not significant higher maximal isometric strength ratios between flexors and extensors of the fingers. Higher values of maximal isometric strength of finger flexor muscles were measured in climbers with injuries in anamnesis and the lower values of maximal isometric strength of finger extensor muscles. These two differences were not statistically significant too. Keywords: muscle asymmetry - isometric strength...

Title: Flexor tendon pulley lesion as a most frequent injury in sport climbing Specification of the problem: This thesis is focused on the most frequent injury of the hand in sport climbing. It describes the mechanism of the injury and possibilities of conservative and surgical treatment according to the given guidelines in dependence on its relevance. Objectives: The aim of this thesis is the literary review of accessible literary resources from the field of anatomy, kinesiology and biomechanics of the hand and flexor tendon pulley in connection with a sport activity. Furthermore it is aimed on an analysis why is the flexor tendon pulley injury the most frequent injury in sport climbing, and on methods how to treat this injury in the most effective way from the beginning till the return to the full performance based on therapeutic guidelines created by Dr. Schöffl nad Dr. Hochholzer. This thesis should serve as a therapeutic manual for the Czech sport climbers suffering from this type of injury, which is generally very often underestimated and not treated sufficiently. Methods: This diploma thesis has descriptively-analytical character and is structured as a literary review. Keywords: tendon pulley, hand, sport climbing, physiotherapy, conservative treatment

The diploma thesis deals with legal regime of practicing tourism and sports in specially protected areas of the Czech Republic. Specially protected areas are areas with stricter protection regime of nature on specific accurately assessed flat territory. The thesis is composed of five chapters dealing with mutual relationship between sports and environmental protection, general definition of law of specially protected areas of the Czech Republic with a focus on protection tools and sports and tourism activities. Last two chapters are devoted to the pursuit of climbing in the Protected Landscape Area Jizerské hory and the National Park České Švýcarsko. The aim of the thesis is to summarize and to assess the existing legal regulation and to identify of problematic issues. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Název práce Vliv vybraných uzlů na pevnost ploché šité smyčky při statickém zatížení. Cíle práce Cílem práce je posoudit pevnost plochých šitých smyček při statickém zatížení a vliv uzlů na snížení jejich pevnosti. Metody Zpracovávaná studie je designována jako dvoufaktorový experiment, při kterém zkoumáme vliv použitých uzlů na pokles nominální pevnosti u dvou typů smyček. Měření bylo prováděno na horizontálním trhacím stroji. Byly vybrány smyčky materiálu dyneema, polyamid a nejčastěji používané uzly (vůdcovský, osmičkový a devítkový). Výsledky Větší pevnosti dosáhly smyčky materiálu Polyamid 26,0 ± 1,1 kN a pevnosti v průřezu 1,3 kN na 1 mm2 . Smyčky materiálu dyneema dosáhli pevnosti 25,1 ± 0,9 kN a pevnosti v průřezu 1,3 kN na 1 mm2 . Na smyčce materiálu polyamid nejméně snižoval pevnost vůdcovský uzel. Smyčka praskla při tažné síle 17,4 ± 0,7 kN. U dyneemy to byl uzel osmičkový s hodnotami 12,2 ± 0,8 kN. Závěr Pro použití smyček v kombinaci s uzly bychom mohli doporučit materiál polyamid, kde uzel snižuje méně nominální pevnost než u dyneemy. Klíčová slova Horolezectví, sportovní lezení, dyneema, polyamid, trhová zkouška

Title: First ascent in Big Wall The sumary: This thesis is devoted to rock-climbing and especially to unique big wall climbing. This thesis is focused on a special discipine of the climbing Big Walls - first ascent. It should provide complete strategy and technique of big wall rock-climbing. It consists of history of Big Wall climbing, basic equipment, technique, tactics, methods of first ascent and many other specific aspects. This thesis should also help with comprehension of the basic as well as the more specific technique of firs ascent in the Big Wall. Keywords: Mountaineering, Big Wall, first ascents

Title of master thesis Determination of climbing specific maximal oxygen uptake during climbing with increasing inclination and constant speed. Work objectives To review the determination of climbing specific maximal oxygen uptake during climbing with increasing inclination and constant speed. Methods Twenty six climbers with climbing ability on UIAA scale from 4th to 10th degree were participated in this study. Maximal specific oxygen uptake was measured by climbing test, to exhaustion on climbing wall, where the inclination were changed from 95ř (105ř) to 135ř every three minutes. Speed of climbing was constant on 25 movements·min-1 . After a rest, the participants went a maximal running test on treadmill. There were evaluated relationships between climbing ability, inclination and cardiopulmonary variables. Results In maximal climbing test, climbers achived plato on value 40 ± 3,5 ml·kg-1 ·min-1 , without influence on climbing ability or inclination. The climbing ability most corelated with achived inclination r = 0,89 and heart rate r = 0,41. Our study confirmed disproportional rising of heart rate against oxygen uptake. Furthermore, there was a strong relationship to be found between ventilation per 1l oxygen to RER indicating specific breathing mechanism of advanced climbers. More demanding...

I devoted in the diploma thesis a theme natural gardens in kindergarten, which is starting gaining popularity in Czech republic from abroad's model. I define in theoretical section how the garden should look like and also significance of environmental effects on child's personality development. And I approximate history of open-air teaching. I describe into the details process creating garden in natural style and her elements focusing on plants, especially trees and shrumbs. The work includes also practical experience from process of creating natural gardens in selected kindergarten. I mention at the end of theoretical section options for funding garden. I based research section on questionnaire method and I evaluated data qualitatively. I had adressed kindergarten teachers throughout Czech republic by online questionnaire. 302 respondents answered. The object of research section was to find facts relate climbing children the trees between kindergarten teachers throughout Czech republic. I analyzed the obtained data and after I evaluated them. I found that children are usually not allow to climb the trees on garden in kindergarten (75,1% respondents). The main reason is the fear of children's security, inappropriate trees for climbing or trees absence. Surprising finding is, that out of...