Why Do People Do Extreme Sports?
Many people sit safely on their couches and wonder why do people do extreme sports. The answer may vary from person to person, but the word thrill seems to keep appearing.
Why Do It?
There is something in the nature of human beings that seems to push them to go a bit faster or a bit higher. There is always a lot of talk about an adrenaline rush when you speak of the motivation of why do people do Extreme Sports. There is the medical evidence that suggests that the high risk factor in Extreme Sports tends to cause the body to release several substances including dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These substances tend to have the effect of producing pleasurable feelings and may have more to do with the "rush" associated with Extreme Sports than adrenaline which is more a reaction to fear.
It is not really necessary to look at chemical and hormone output in the body to understand the attraction of Extreme Sports. Throughout history, man has pushed the envelope in physical activity and adventure. Mountains were climbed simply for the reason that they were there. This is the idea behind Extreme Sports. They are done simply to prove that they can be done.
Many of the sports considered Extreme Sports are non-competitive. At least, they are non-competitive from the idea of competing against other players. However, they are competitive from the point of view of pitting yourself against a sometimes hostile environment or seemly impossible obstacle. There are some who have parlayed their skill at Extreme Sports into money through media exposure and the increased attention given to events such as the X games. Yet, it is certainly not a search for money or fame that motivates the majority of Extreme Sports participants.
If you look at some of the Extreme Sports, or with activities that closely resemble them, you will see that they are really just activities that have been around for a long time taken to a higher level. Examples of Extreme Sports of the past include surfing which was invented by the ancient inhabitants of Hawaii and mountain climbing. These activities were done just for the joy and the thrill that was provided and not for fame or fortune.
The Olympic ideal of higher, faster, and stronger is part of human nature. It is the fact that humans not only welcome challenge, but will sometimes purposely seek it out that explains why people do Extreme Sports. While it is true that not everyone sees the thrill of jumping out of a plane or hurtling off the side of a mountain in exactly the same way, there are always those willing to step up and give it a try.