Extreme Sports Athletes Don’t Like Taking Risks

Research undertaken last year by sports science graduates, based at the St Lukes Campus of the University of Exeter, found that rather than being big risk-takers, most top performers in extreme sports are risk-averse.

The stereotypical representation of many extreme sports athletes is one of long hair, liberal views and daring personalities, take Shaun White for example. Many outside the industry believe that only those who are willing to push themselves that bit further or attempt new, more daring stunts can be at the forefront of their sports and win the respect of their fans and piers. This new research however, suggests that the best athletes do not consider themselves risk-takes, but instead calculate the risks involved very carefully and take action to reduce them as best they can.

Among those interviewed where a number of Downhill Mountain Bike riders who regularly face dangerous situations as they hurtle over treacherous terrain in pursuit of the fastest time. One rider remarked, “Sure this sport can be more dangerous than other sports but we never take unnecessary risk. We will look at all the options before doing something new and if it’s not worth it, then we won’t do it. There is no sense in risking injury for us as then we wouldn’t be able to ride”

The main conclusion drawn from the research is that although most extreme sports enthusiasts have lower fear levels than your average person and require more courageous feats to get their adrenaline kick, they also spend more time preparing for their actions and planning what to do if something goes wrong. It is not fearlessness that allows them to perform incredible feats but instead immense skill and tireless preperation and practice.

James Gallop who headed up the research stated that evidence of the cautiousness of extreme sports athletes has always been there (protective gear, tireless checking of equipment and environment, first-aid crews at events etc), only no one really asked the athletes and assumed they did these crazy new tricks because they weren’t quite sane.

As extreme sports continue to move further into the public domain, it is likely that safety-consciousness will increase and more regulations brought in to protect athletes and amateurs alike. Will this destroy the freedom that made extreme sports what they are, or improve their profile and promote greater participation? We hope the latter.