When talking about extreme sports, the media always refer to many of its practitioners as “adrenaline junkies.” Let’s not forget that the compulsive practice that many people do of different sports activities is currently studied under the criteria of addiction to physical exercise, within the so-called behavioural addictions.
There are many extreme sports and the following stand out for their dangerousness: BASE jumping; mountaineering; abseil; skateboarding, rafting; motocross; paragliding and parkour. These people persist in practicing them, despite the adverse consequences that they can have, where on many occasions they find severe injuries or even death. They are activities that produce a great stimulation of the reward system.
Similar to addictions, many of these athletes describe what they feel as “a high” and experience withdrawal symptoms when they are unable to play their sport. They can feel empowered, invincible, excited, and focused, as a study I will reference later, points out. It is common for many to describe their relationship with these sports “as if it were an addiction.”
Tolerance criteria can also be established, as they need greater challenges, which usually implies a higher level of risk, to achieve the desired effect. For many it becomes a way of life and the time they spend interferes with many of their activities. Ultimately, the family may come to accept it, but they also worry and suffer with every challenge.
Many specialists have suggested that any behaviour with the ability to generate a great short-term reward can become an addiction. In fact, some research suggests many similarities between people with substance addictions and those who play extreme sports. Some examples of these similarities may be high impulsiveness and sensation seeking.
Anyway, I can’t help thinking about the subject and I have some questions. Is it correct to think of extreme sports as an addiction? Is withdrawal experienced in a similar way to addictions? Can it be a functional guideline for people with a certain group of personality traits?
Once again, I will support my analysis on the results of scientific research that I find in my searches.