Eric Brymer – författare

Understanding the motivations behind those who partake in extreme sports can be difficult for some. If the popular conception holds that the incentive behind extreme sports participation is entirely to do with risking one’s life, then this confusion will continue to exist. However, an in-depth examination of the phenomenology of the extreme sport experience yields a much more complex picture.This book revisits the definition of extreme sports as those activities where a mismanaged mistake or accident would most likely result in death. Extreme sports are not necessarily synonymous with risk and participation may not be about risk-taking. Participants report deep inner transformations that influence world views and meaningfulness, feelings of coming home and authentic integration as well as a freedom beyond the everyday. Phenomenologically, these experiences have been interpreted as transcendent of time, other, space and body. Extreme sport participation therefore points to a more potent, life-enhancing endeavour worthy of further investigation. This book adopts a broad hermeneutic phenomenological approach to critique the assumed relationship to risk-taking, the death wish and the concept of "No Fear" in extreme sports, and repositions the experience in a previously unexplored manner.This is valuable reading for students and academics interested in Sports Psychology, Social Psychology, Health Psychology, Tourism, Leisure Studies and the practical applications of phenomenology.

Experiences in nature are now recognised as being fundamental to human health and well-being. Physical activity in nature has been posited as an important well-being facilitator because the presence of nature augments the benefits of physical activity while also enhancing motivation and adherence. This volume brings together a mix of cutting edge ideas in research, theory and practice from a wide set of disciplines with the purpose of exploring interdisciplinary or trans-disciplinary approaches to understanding the relationship between physical activity in nature and health and well-being. Nature and Health: Physical Activity in Nature is structured to facilitate ease of use for the researcher, policy maker, practitioner or theorist. Section 1 covers research on physical activity in nature for a number of important health and well-being issues. Each chapter in this section considers how policy and practice might be shaped by current research findings and knowledge. Section 2 considers contemporary theoretical and conceptual understandings that help explain how physical activity in nature enhances health and well-being and also how best to design interventions and research. Section 3 provides examples of current approaches. This book is an ideal resource for both researchers and advanced students interested in designing future-proofed research, for policy makers interested in improving community well-being and for practitioners interested in best practice applications.

In recent years a new set of psychological principles has emerged from research investigating adventure and adventurous activities. Adventure involves a special type of physical activity in natural contexts where participants voluntarily participate in experiences where the environment and activity are challenging, perhaps dangerous and potentially life threatening. To go on an adventure is to participate in an enduring event requiring sustainable effort, where effective performance is measured not only by success but also by survival. This book brings together the emerging literature in ‘Adventure Psychology’ that supports enduring performance and wellbeing.The first section examines sustaining performance and wellbeing. The second section studies the transformative aspect of adventure. Adventure Psychology is of use in everyday life and the techniques and understandings can help people and business prepare for the future. This book will help us all thrive despite adversity, volatility and uncertainty.Written for researchers this book will also be useful for trainers, educators and students of sport, performance and organisational psychology as well as adventurers and endurance athletes. Adventure Psychology is designed to meet the needs of specialists across a variety of fields but importantly also to be accessible and applicable for those wanting to live life fully — to realise our full potential.

In recent years a new set of psychological principles has emerged from research investigating adventure and adventurous activities. Adventure involves a special type of physical activity in natural contexts where participants voluntarily participate in experiences where the environment and activity are challenging, perhaps dangerous and potentially life threatening. To go on an adventure is to participate in an enduring event requiring sustainable effort, where effective performance is measured not only by success but also by survival. This book brings together the emerging literature in ‘Adventure Psychology’ that supports enduring performance and wellbeing.The first section examines sustaining performance and wellbeing. The second section studies the transformative aspect of adventure. Adventure Psychology is of use in everyday life and the techniques and understandings can help people and business prepare for the future. This book will help us all thrive despite adversity, volatility and uncertainty.Written for researchers this book will also be useful for trainers, educators and students of sport, performance and organisational psychology as well as adventurers and endurance athletes. Adventure Psychology is designed to meet the needs of specialists across a variety of fields but importantly also to be accessible and applicable for those wanting to live life fully — to realise our full potential.

Experiences in nature are now recognised as being fundamental to human health and well-being. Physical activity in nature has been posited as an important well-being facilitator because the presence of nature augments the benefits of physical activity while also enhancing motivation and adherence. This volume brings together a mix of cutting edge ideas in research, theory and practice from a wide set of disciplines with the purpose of exploring interdisciplinary or trans-disciplinary approaches to understanding the relationship between physical activity in nature and health and well-being. Nature and Health: Physical Activity in Nature is structured to facilitate ease of use for the researcher, policy maker, practitioner or theorist. Section 1 covers research on physical activity in nature for a number of important health and well-being issues. Each chapter in this section considers how policy and practice might be shaped by current research findings and knowledge. Section 2 considers contemporary theoretical and conceptual understandings that help explain how physical activity in nature enhances health and well-being and also how best to design interventions and research. Section 3 provides examples of current approaches. This book is an ideal resource for both researchers and advanced students interested in designing future-proofed research, for policy makers interested in improving community well-being and for practitioners interested in best practice applications.