Extreme sports are those considered to come with a medium to a high degree of risk, danger and possible serious injury. The athletes who pursue these challenging activities often become as dedicated as Olympians and spend hours every day practising and improving their technique. Their reward is to enjoy the thrill of making the perfect ollie or dropping a hill on a buttboard. But when considering extreme sports, are they worth the risk?
Extreme sports like street luging, skateboarding on rails and ramps, and snowboarding off near-impossible jumps are more popular today than they have ever been.
Extreme athletes often refer to the adrenaline rush of competing as being “amped,” and many say that there is no other feeling in the world as satisfying. For most of these rough-and-tumble athletes, part of the appeal of extreme sports is the danger.
Unlike sports that are regulated by official certified judges and require the athletes to wear protective gear and perform with ship shape equipment, extreme sports competitions may include relatively unprotected athletes competing on often ramshackle paraphernalia, like luge boards made out of skateboards with plywood additions.
Such conditions lead to greater thrills for many of the participants, the more dangerous a situation the more adrenaline the body produces, leading to the feeling of being “amped.”
Unfortunately, the long-term damage that results from the kinds of injuries that many extreme athletes endure often leaves these enthusiastic men and women feeling less than thrilled.
Injuries are almost inevitable in many high-risk sports, so it’s a good idea to research your nearest athlete recovery center Jacksonville (or one in your location) in advance. These centers offer a wide range of services from sports acupuncture to spinal decompression.
Whether or not the excitement of extreme sports is worth the danger is something that nobody can decide but the athlete who is putting his or her body on the line. However, if you or somebody in your life is thinking about joining the hardcore world of extreme sports, it is a good idea to do some research into any common injuries associated with it and how to reduce the risk.
Just wearing a helmet or using a certain kind of padding can make the difference between ending up in hospital after a wipe-out and walking away with a few bruises. The hazards of every sport are unique, so the kinds of kneepads that a skateboarder favour might not be very much help to a street luger.
The only protective gear that will really help an athlete is the gear that is specifically appropriate to his or her sport.
Before buying protective gear, read as much as you can about the hazards you are likely to face and try to get some first-hand advice from experienced athletes in that sport.
Many extreme athletes don’t bother with the kind of protective gear that they should be wearing, in part because they worry that kneepads or elbow pads will decrease their cool factor. However, taking care of your body is as important for an extreme athlete as it is for any athlete, if not more. Even if chucking bales might not seem as exciting with a helmet as it is without one, if you protect yourself you can always be sure that you will have the chance to take another crack at your favourite extreme challenge. Keeping physically fit is vital. Focus on the type of exercise you need to help your body cope best in your chosen activity. Do you need to be stronger, more supple and flexible or require greater stamina? Develop a fitness programme to suit your needs and help you stay safe.
3 thoughts on “Extreme Sports: Are They Worth The Risk?”