Sport climbing competence is influenced by training frequency, experience, self-efficacy, flow, and emotional intelligence

Sport climbing requires the integration of physical and cognitive abilities. The Embodied Cognition (EC) theoretical framework is increasingly applied in recreational sport research, as it emphasizes the influence of bodily experience on cognition functioning. This exploratory study investigated the relationship between competence in sport climbing and several psychological factors, including both stable traits (e.g., self-esteem, trait emotional intelligence) and trainable capacities (e.g., mindfulness, self-efficacy, flow), as well as climbing experience and training frequency. A sample of 365 climbers (40% female, M = 32.11 years) completed questionnaires. Correlation analysis showed positive associations between climbing competence and training frequency, years of practice, mindfulness, and climbing self-efficacy. A structural equation model (SEM) revealed that climbing confidence was the strongest psychological predictor of competence, while mindfulness unexpectedly emerged as a negative predictor. Trait emotional intelligence was positively associated with mindfulness but not directly with competence. A bidirectional relationship between mindfulness and competence was observed, suggesting a complex interaction. These findings highlight the interplay between psychological dispositions and sport-specific skills in climbing performance.