Journal article
The search for freedom in extreme sports: A phenomenological exploration
Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Vol.14(6), pp.865-873
11/2013
Metrics
18 Record Views
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Abstract
Participation in extreme sports is continuing to grow, yet there is still little understanding of participant motivations in such sports. The purpose of this paper is to report on one aspect of motivation in extreme sports, the search for freedom. The study utilized a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology. Fifteen international extreme sport participants who participated in sports such as BASE jumping, big wave surfing, extreme mountaineering, extreme skiing, rope free climbing and waterfall kayaking were interviewed about their experience of participating in an extreme sport. Results reveal six elements of freedom: freedom from constraints, freedom as movement, freedom as letting go of the need for control, freedom as the release of fear, freedom as being at one, and finally freedom as choice and responsibility. The findings reveal that motivations in extreme sport do not simply mirror traditional images of risk taking and adrenaline and that motivations in extreme sports also include an exploration of the ways in which humans seek fundamental human values.
•Freedom from constraints.•Freedom as movement/letting go of the need for control/the release of fear/peace.•Freedom to choose and accept responsibility.
Details
- Title
- The search for freedom in extreme sports: A phenomenological exploration
- Creators
- Eric Brymer - School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, AustraliaRobert Schweitzer - School of Psychology and Counselling, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
- Publication Details
- Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Vol.14(6), pp.865-873
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991012951093402368
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article