Shortly after I started my PhD at the end of 2016, a small, community-focused bouldering wall opened on the street I lived on. I was completely new to climbing at the time but thought: why not give it a go. Almost a decade later my love affair with bouldering is still going strong and I’ve found, as a researcher and a boulderer, there are many benefits to my hobby.

Bouldering is rock climbing without ropes, usually to a fixed height of up to 4.5m, with protection from falling provided by foam crash mats. These short, dynamic climbs are known as “problems” as they not only test physical technique and strength but also strategic problem-solving.

The practice first emerged in the 19th century where it was considered useful practice for roped and alpine climbing. Fast forward to the second half of the 20th century, and the discipline gained a following of its own with indoor bouldering walls opening across cities in North America and Europe.

The sport reached new heights of popularity when it made its Olympic debut as a discipline of Sport Climbing at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games........

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