Beyond risk: the importance of adventure in the everyday life of young people

Adventure and extreme sports (AESs) are associated with high risk of injury and even death. This has important ramifications for sport, education, medical and health professions and has led to discussions about the appropriateness of AESs for young people. For some, participation in AESs reflects social deviance. Research from this perspective has focused on testing this notion. However, in recent years research has questioned the perceived link to risk arguing that many acceptable activities might be ‘riskier’. Research from this perspective focuses on the positive side of AESs. Evidence points to a growing interest in AESs by young people and that AES activities might be useful to enhance the uptake of and adherence to physical activity, and support mental wellbeing in young people. This perspective suggests (1) AESs are important for the overall development of young people, (2) policy makers across sectors should recognize AESs when considering future interventions.