In recent years, many teens have expressed increased interested in “extreme” or “alternative” sports. With its own Olympics of sorts—the X Games—extreme sports have reached the mainstream in several ways. There are extreme sports centers and summer camps. Some popular extreme sports are inline skating, BMX biking, skateboarding, snowboarding, rock climbing, and skydiving. Others include street luging, barefoot water-skiing, and wakeboarding. These, though, are just a few of a rapidly increasing field. Such sports are distinguished from those ascribed as being more “traditional,” such as swimming, soccer, and football, in that they are thought to be riskier and more cutting-edge. Often, extreme sports involve a significant amount of danger—and it is this danger that lures many to become devotees. Other times, a teen is inspired to take up a sport because an athletic role model: a friend or maybe a professional. Extreme sports are especially popular with those teens and young adults commonly known to be part of Generation X and Y. Hence, there is usually a youthful zest and determination associated with extreme sports.
Benefits of Participation
Participating in extreme sports may offer many benefits for the developing teen. In addition to the physical and psychological benefits of exercise, extreme sports often provide means by which the teen may individually excel. Extreme sports are often carried out separately from those that are more traditional; this “alternative” nature sets enthusiasts apart and often provides an enriching means of development. Extreme sports are often perceived as fresh and innovative, as opposed to traditional sports, which may be seen as being bogged down with many rules. In this way, proficiency at an extreme sport may be connected with the fostering of a teen’s self-esteem and uniqueness.
Safety Precautions
Parents sometimes have reservations when teens propose learning an extreme sport. Most often, the source of such angst is concern over safety. Thus, it is very important to take safety precautions before participating in any extreme sport. Precautions include using the appropriate gear and engaging in the sport under proper supervision and in a safe locale. Professionals on television are equipped with appropriate protective gear and state of the art equipment. Teens must take care to ensure they carry out the same safety precautions. Nevertheless, even if all precautions are heeded, there are injuries that result from extreme sport involvement.
When involved in extreme sports, an adolescent may suffer injuries. Acute injuries are those that result from a significant trauma. Common injuries in this category include sprains, fractures, cuts, and bruising. If one’s face is injured, teeth may be broken also. Chronic injuries result often result from overuse. Examples include stress fractures, tendonitis, and runner’s knee. Both acute and chronic injuries may be minimized if proper safety measures are taken. It is important to balance ensuring safety while avoiding stifling the curiosity and risk-taking nature of the teen.
Some extreme sports are riskier than others. For example: skydiving and heli-skiing and bungee jumping may present more overt risks to the novice than do mountain biking or kayaking. Parents might encourage first trying a sport that poses fewer safety risks to beginners.
Inline Skating
As inline skating is one of the most popular extreme sports, safety precautions for this sport will be reviewed. Inline skates are significantly more hi-tech and comfortable than they were just a few years ago. When purchasing the skates, one should be sure to shop at a retailer with an extensive selection. Knowledgeable salespeople should assist the teen in purchasing the ideal skates for their intended purpose, such as recreation and stunts. Skates purchased should have strong ankle support. Once home, one should master usage of the brakes before extensive skating is undertaken. In addition, one should learn how to fall in a way that minimizes injury—such a way is by “rolling.”
A teen must also evaluate the inline skating surface. The ability to skate on different surfaces depends on the skill of the teen. Nevertheless, one must always be mindful of potential dangers. Variegated surfaces, potholes, steep inclines and declines present potential dangers. Ramps with forgiving surfaces are ideal for tricks. One should avoid concrete surfaces, as they are quite rigid.
When purchasing inline skates, the teen should also buy plenty of safety equipment. Of utmost importance is using wrist guards and elbow pads. As the innate response to a fall is to break it with one’s hands, wrists are especially susceptible to injury. Elbows also suffer in inline skating falls. Elbow pads and wrist guards together should be considered a necessary component to inline skating. To round out the safety package, helmets and kneepads are also necessary. One might also consider purchasing a butt pad when first starting to skate. This pad will help minimize the injuries from the first falls. Common inline skating injuries include wrist sprains and fractures, trauma to elbows, shoulders, and one’s head.
Skateboarding
In addition to inline skating, skateboarding has become another extreme sport that is popular with teens. As with inline skating, one must take care to evaluate the skateboarding surface, especially when doing tricks (for example, on ramps). Beginner skateboarders should spend extensive time learning how to fall properly. Like inline skating, one should try to minimize the distance fallen and fall in a “rolling” manner. Extensive instruction in proper falling technique is essential!
The adolescent must always use safety equipment when skateboarding—helmets, elbow pads, kneepads, and wrist guards. Also, wearing clothing that is specifically designed for skateboarders will ensure more cushioning from the fall. To help minimize slippage, there are skateboarding shoes. Nevertheless, some athletes are injured; some of the most common skateboarding injuries include sprains, fractures, head trauma, cuts and bruises.
As inline skaters and skateboarders become more advanced, teens should learn tricks slowly and deliberately. Rushing the learning curve will inevitably result in a preventable injury.
With times, those sports we regard as extreme will attract more and more enthusiasts to its ranks. Inline skating and rock climbing and white water rafting and skateboarding attract masses of devotees now—becoming popular extreme sports. As a teen becomes more proficient in a given sport, he or she should also take special care to become more knowledgeable about necessary safety precautions. Although accidents will continue, following proper safety procedures will help minimize injuries to the developing adolescent.
Related topics:
Accidents, athletic injuries, exercise, foot injuries, head injuries, risk-taking, sports, stress fractures
