許多人可能會認為極限運動愛好者們有些奇特甚至不可理喻。是什麼促使人們冒著生命危險去嘗試一項體育運動的呢？最新的研究逐漸開始打破人們的刻板印象，顯示出極限運動愛好者並不僅僅是不計後果或者對腎上腺素飆升上癮的人。本文討論哪些因素在驅使著人們不斷嘗試極限運動。
詞匯：extreme sport 極限運動
There are two types of people: those who would jump from a plane, hungry to feel the rush of adrenaline in those moments before the parachute opens up, and those who would rather not tempt fate, and instead find pleasure in remaining safely on firm ground, perhaps enjoying a nice view. An extreme sport is one where a small mistake could result in a serious injury, even death. What is it that separates extreme sports enthusiasts from others who prefer to avoid such activities?
“There has to be something wrong with them.” That’s an assumption that many people, including researchers, have historically held. Why else would a person participate in sports such as base jumping and free solo climbing, which are characterised by such high risk? But Eric Brymer, behavioural scientist who studies the psychology of adventure, has met many extreme athletes in his career and challenges the view that they are all reckless thrill-seekers. “Most people were very careful and took years to develop their skills,” he said. Many don’t even consider their sports risky because they spend so much time minimising risk.
In fact, a desire to manage risks was a trait identified in extreme athletes in a 2024 study called ‘What factors explain extreme sport participation?’. The authors also found that athletes enjoyed feeling at one with nature and being part of a community of like-minded people. Another theme was a drive to succeed. In this sense, extreme athletes might not differ much from traditional athletes – they are all united in wanting that sense of achievement. Lastly, while many extreme athletes are thrill-seekers, others use extreme sports for emotion regulation. For those who struggle to confront their emotions, extreme sports can provide an outlet.
Alex Honnold is the first and currently only person to free solo climb El Capitan, a rock formation in Yosemite National Park, from base to summit. When asked why he free climbs, he said “I’m searching more for that feeling of having done something well and being deeply content – it’s more than the quick hit of adrenaline. It’s personal.” You might not feel the need to free solo climb a massive rock face to feel fulfilled, but the feeling of achieving goals outside of our comfort zone is something many of us can relate to.
詞匯表
feel the rush 感受（某物的）激增
adrenaline 腎上腺素
parachute 降落傘
tempt fate 冒不必要的危險
pleasure 樂趣
enthusiast 愛好者
base jumping 定點跳傘
free solo climbing 徒手攀巖
reckless 不計後果的，魯莽的
thrill-seeker 追求刺激的人
at one with nature 與自然融為一體
drive 欲望，強烈的動力
sense of achievement 成就感
emotion regulation 情緒調節
outlet （情緒的）發泄途徑
summit 山峰，頂峰
comfort zone 舒適區
測驗與練習
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. How is an extreme sport defined?
2. What is the traditionally held view of extreme sports enthusiasts?
3. True or False? Eric Brymer thinks all extreme athletes are reckless thrill-seekers.
4. Name three factors which explain extreme sport participation, according to the 2024 study.
5. Why does Alex Honnold say he free solo climbs?
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. I love spending time in the forest. It makes me feel so _______.
comfort zone emotion regulation thrill-seeker at one with nature
2. His _______ driving put everyone else on the road at risk.
thrilled parachute reckless feel the rush
3. She _______ by riding her bike down the hill without checking her breaks first.
base jumped tempted fate free solo climbed sensed achievement
4. Writing in a journal became _______ to process his thoughts and feelings.
an outlet a pleasure a comfort zone a parachute
5. As a hiking _______, she spends every weekend exploring new trails.
enthusiast drive summit adrenaline
答案
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. How is an extreme sport defined?
An extreme sport is one where a small mistake could result in a serious injury, even death.
2. What is the traditionally held view of extreme sports enthusiasts?
The traditionally held view of extreme sports enthusiasts is that there has to be something wrong with them.
3. True or False? Eric Brymer thinks all extreme athletes are reckless thrill-seekers.
False. He challenges this view, saying “Most people were very careful and took years to develop their skills”.
4. Name three factors which explain extreme sport participation, according to the 2024 study.
Factors which explain extreme sport participation include: A desire to manage risks, a feeling of being at one with nature, being part of a community of like-minded people, a drive to succeed and emotion regulation.
5. Why does Alex Honnold say he free solo climbs?
Alex Honnold says he free solo climbs for that feeling of having done something well and being deeply content.
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. I love spending time in the forest. It makes me feel so at one with nature.
2. His reckless driving put everyone else on the road at risk.
3. She tempted fate by riding her bike down the hill without checking her breaks first.
4. Writing in a journal became an outlet to process his thoughts and feelings.
5. As a hiking enthusiast, she spends every weekend exploring new trails.
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