The Management of the Extreme Sports Athlete

Abstract

Extreme and adventure sports activities may be considered to be foolhardy by many but also exciting and applauded by others. The perception of the risk involved in these activities forms the opinion of the observer toward the participant. The majority of athletes performing these sports and challenges acknowledge that there is considerable risk involved but will have spent a great deal of time in preparation to minimize these risks. The rates of severe injury and death of inexperienced mountaineers paying for supported trips up Everest or those participating in charity skydiving events are far higher, and yet these are frequently seen as laudable activities.