There are so many extreme sports with such diverse characteristics that investigations must focus on one. Therefore, the results show evidence for a specific modality and we should not be tempted to generalise them to all.
For example, in June 2016 the results of an investigation to explore withdrawal states in extreme athletes who practice rock climbing were published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions. The researchers evaluated divided the small sample into four who had high skills and another four with a skill considered average.
Using a content analysis, it was possible to determine that the three evaluated components of withdrawal were present in these people: anhedonia (demotivation, loss of interest and motivation); cravings (jerks) and emotional distress. The last two were much higher in those with greater abilities and who, of course, faced greater challenges at greater risks.
It was observed that missing training sessions or spending several days without climbing generated greater cravings and impulses to resume the activity. “You end up climbing anything you can put your fingers on.”
The following sentence, which was said by a highly skilled climber, shows how they prioritise this activity over others: “… I would not let other things get in the way of climbing, there are no excuses”. Another compares it to the craving of smokers for “that first cigarette in the morning.”
Another element is that when they are not training or climbing they are watching posts, magazines or videos on the subject. Climbers with greater skills report that just by looking at these materials they feel motivated and inspired: “the adrenaline flows.” They see them daily or almost daily. It is a difference from their counterparts with average ability, who see them irregularly or only when they are bored.
In relation to emotional distress, the most frequent sensations were “miserable”, “agitated”, “frustrated”, “angry” or “irascible”. Most report practicing climbing to deal with these types of negative emotional states. Therefore, it is not uncommon for them to experience them when they have not trained for several days or are injured.
Anhedonia levels were similar in both groups. Some phrases like “climbing is so pleasant that it is difficult to find something that can replace it”, “nothing is comparable to the experience of climbing” or “the rest of the things are not so exciting” make it very clear what I mean.
Another category of analysis that emerged from these reports is that climbing has become an activity that increases your level of enjoyment. This can act as a desensitising element on other pleasant activities of daily life, but less exciting.
The researchers found these results to be generally consistent with the presentation of withdrawal criteria in studies of both substance and behaviour addictions.
Does this mean that we should discourage this type of sports practice? How should these findings be interpreted? Can it be a type of functional activity for certain personality traits?