Practising risky sports : is it a need or an impulse? : a quest for self-discovery

Abstract

Risky sports are growing in popularity as the interest in high-risk recreational activities is increasing. This qualitative study attempted to highlight the main features underlying the practice of risky sports. The sports included in this study were rugby, kite-boarding, rock climbing, kick-boxing, and scuba diving. The practitioners' personality and biological characteristics associated with sensation seeking and risk-taking behaviours were included. This study also attempts to discover the physical and psychological pain associated with the practice of risky sports. The methodology used in this research was the phenomenological approach. Five participants who themselves practise a risky sport, took part in the in-depth interviews from which the main themes of the phenomenon were extracted. Results showed that practising risky sports has an influence on one's self-image and self-discovery. Last but not least, this study also attempted to explore how sports can become part of one's identity and how the 'love' for sports can tum into an addiction.