While many sports fans enjoy the fast pace of a cricket series, the skill of a well-played football game, or the camaraderie of rugby, others require more adrenaline to drive their fitness zeal.
Extreme sports are a good example of this. These sports frequently feature an element of endurance, risk, or limit-pushing owing to technical expertise, speed, exertion, height, or a combination of these elements, whether they are tougher, faster, or riskier.
Extreme sports appeal to many people who are looking for a little thrill. Snowboarding, free running, skating, surfing, and other extreme sports allow you to challenge yourself mentally and physically to do exploits that would make other athletes queasy. However, many extreme sports have a level of danger that goes beyond that of ordinary sports.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie thinking about trying an extreme sport like rock climbing, supercross, street luge, base jumping, or kite surfing, think twice before jumping! Are you qualified and experienced enough to participate in these activities responsibly and safely? Have you also examined the dangers of extreme activities, carefully evaluating the benefits and drawbacks?
We frequently see a variety of injuries, including deaths, associated with these types of activities. Many of the negative consequences of extreme sports-related incidents are long-term, perhaps permanently damaging. This article discusses the long-running extreme sports debate over whether or not they should be outlawed.
Extreme Sports Pose Serious Risks
First, consider the risks associated with extreme activities, particularly for unprepared or unskilled individuals. We’ll also look at ways to protect yourself if you participate in these activities.
Spinal Injuries
When traveling at high speeds, it only takes one minor blunder to cause serious injury. Just ask BMX dirt bicyclist Stephen Murray, who lost control and landed on his head, badly damaging his spinal cord. Wearing proper protection and establishing a thorough grasp of how your equipment works, and spending enough time training and not pushing yourself too hard can help to reduce the danger.
Broken Bones
There aren’t many extreme athletes who haven’t suffered a broken limb, arm, or tailbone. If you break a bone while missing a maneuver in extreme sports, count yourself lucky because, for certain athletes, it’s all part of the game. Knowing your limits, easing into the sport gradually, and wearing protective equipment are the only ways to avoid breaking a bone.
Paralysis
Paralysis can devastate any part of the body and is usually caused by serious brain or spinal injuries. In some situations, with continuing motor skills retraining and therapy, you can gradually reduce the effects, but the paralysis is permanent in others. This can impact anything from your ability to work to your ability to care for yourself without the assistance of others.
Brain Injuries
An acquired (ABI) or traumatic (TBI) brain damage can result in substantial problems – memory, mental health, eyesight, and coordination are just a few things that might be affected. You may have to relearn basic skills like walking, talking, and writing. In some circumstances, complete recovery is impossible.
Olympic snowboarder Kevin Peace, for example, had a catastrophic brain injury and required years of rehabilitation to eat and walk again. It can happen to anyone, so always be cautious and wear protective headgear!
Fatalities
Extreme sports do, unfortunately, have a high rate of fatalities. Many deaths have happened in the past, ranging from skiers and mountain climbers to skydivers due to a lack of training, negligence, or faulty equipment.
Several young, gifted athletes have lost their lives to their respective sports due to pushing the limits. Taking risks in any activity has a cost, and even when the activities have rules and are supervised by stringent regulations, your safety is not guaranteed.
Extreme Sports: Should They Be Banned?
Regardless, millions of people hit the surf, slopes, and skies every year. On the never-ending chase for adrenaline, many people continue to push the limits of what is safe or even conceivable. So, what motivates people who are generally gravity-averse to jump from high-rise buildings? Or those who want to go faster, higher, further, and beyond? Or for those who like the land to attempt to surf 20-meter-high waves?
Many extreme sports participants are motivated by a sense of risk and anxiety. They attempt to put themselves to the ultimate test in various life-threatening situations. Extreme sports are also popular among spectators, which explains why their popularity has risen in recent years.
You’ve probably seen extreme sports on television or social media. Many corporations want to associate their names with these thrill-seekers, and some athletes obtain huge sponsorships. Some sponsorships even allow professional extreme sports athletes to compete.
Extreme sports players who excel at them can have lucrative and extended careers. However, even little errors in these sports can have serious—even fatal—repercussions. Extreme sports caused almost four million injuries between 2000 and 2011.
Many of these injuries are avoidable. Unfortunately, the younger folks most inclined to participate in extreme sports lack excellent judgment. The prospect of Internet stardom entices many people to try activities they aren’t ready for.
We all have an inherent “death wish,” according to Sigmund Freud, a deep inbuilt urge to destroy ourselves. Of course, most people don’t participate in extreme sports to injure or kill themselves, but danger is an integral component of most thrill seekers’ enjoyment. As a result, thrill-seekers are continuously on the lookout for larger, better, and quicker thrills.
Individuals participate in dangerous sports to feel alive, not to tempt death—the greater the risk, the greater the excitement. Among the most dangerous types of extreme sports is speed riding and speed flying, yet no matter how risky a sport is, there will be someone somewhere ready to try it. After a few weeks, someone else will be doing the same thing or going even further.
Extreme sports have the potential to be extremely dangerous. This never-ending discussion over whether or not these sports should be banned boils down to the individual’s choice. Never participate in an activity for which you have not prepared.
If you’re thinking of trying an extreme sport, seek advice from family and friends first. You should also consult experts in the sport. If you decide to go ahead, start small. The most crucial consideration is always your safety.