An ecological dynamics approach to understanding human-environment interactions in the adventure sport context—implications for research and practice

IMMONEN, Tuomas, BRYMER, Eric, DAVIDS, Keith and JAAKKOLA, Timo (2022). An ecological dynamics approach to understanding human-environment interactions in the adventure sport context—implications for research and practice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (6).

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Official URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/6/3691
Open Access URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/6/3691/pdf (Published version)
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063691

Abstract

The last few decades have witnessed a surge of interest in adventure sports, and has led to an emerging research focus on these activities. However, recent conceptual analyses and scientific reviews have highlighted a major, fundamental question that remains unresolved: what constitutes an adventure sport. Despite several proposals for definitions, the field still seems to lack a shared conceptualization. This deficit may be a serious limitation for research and practice, restricting the development of a more nuanced theoretical explanation of participation and practical implications within and across adventure sports. In this article, we address another crucial question, how can adventure sports be better understood for research and practice? We briefly summarize previous definitions to address evident confusion and a lack of conceptual clarity in the discourse. Alternatively, we propose how an ecological perspective of human behaviors, such as interactions with the environment, may provide an appropriate conceptualization to guide and enhance future research and practice, using examples from activities such as freeride skiing/snowboarding, white-water kayaking, climbing, mountaineering and the fields of sport science, psychology and avalanche research and education. We draw on ecological dynamics as a transdisciplinary approach to discuss how this holistic framework presents a more detailed, nuanced, and precise understanding of adventure sports.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: ** From MDPI via Jisc Publications Router ** Licence for this article: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ **Journal IDs: eissn 1660-4601 **History: published 20-03-2022; accepted 17-03-2022
Uncontrolled Keywords: adventure sport, extreme sport, ecological dynamics, transdisciplinary, form of life, skill, skill development, decision-making, freeriding, avalanche education
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063691
SWORD Depositor: Colin Knott
Depositing User: Colin Knott
Date Deposited: 23 Mar 2022 12:27
Last Modified: 23 Mar 2022 12:30
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29982

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