A1 Journal article (refereed)
An Ecological Dynamics Approach to Understanding Human-Environment Interactions in the Adventure Sport Context : Implications for Research and Practice (2022)

Immonen, T., Brymer, E., Davids, K., & Jaakkola, T. (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), Article 3691. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063691

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Immonen, Tuomas; Brymer, Eric; Davids, Keith; Jaakkola, Timo

Journal or series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

ISSN: 1661-7827

eISSN: 1660-4601

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 20/03/2022

Volume: 19

Issue number: 6

Article number: 3691

Publisher: MDPI AG

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063691

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80396

Web address of parallel published publication (pre-print): https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202201.0210/v1

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.

Keywords: types of sports; extreme sports; adventure; sport-specific skills; safety education; avalanches; behavioural psychology; interdisciplinary research; concept analysis

Free keywords: adventure sport; extreme sport; ecological dynamics; transdisciplinary; form of life; skill; skill development; decision-making; freeriding; avalanche education

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1