We're part of an "extreme sports continuum", y'all
Hey folks! I posted this via the Substack Notes function last week, but I’m also posting here in case you missed it—it’s pretty cool.
I recently stumbled upon a really interesting research paper about the links between mountain biking and mental health/well-being. Some of it is an empirical reflection of the obvious (eg: mtb bolsters mental health and connects people with nature), but the study called out some other interesting things. It also placed mtb on an “extreme sports continuum,” so… we’re a part of a continuum, y’all!
You can find it here.
Some highlights:
Mainstream interventions for mental health should include extreme sports.
Positive mood requires long-term physical activity—meaning steady and consistent movement over time.
Male mental ill-health may materialize in ways that do not fit as easily within conventional approaches to treatment.
Some participants were even able to avoid substance abuse with extreme sports.
Comment with your thoughts! Comments are open to all on this one.
Absolutely true.
For me, going out on the bike is so stress reliving.
My reaction to getting the bike ready for a ride is akin to showing a dog a lead.
Out in nature, on local trails, the smells of the wildflowers, the harvesting in surrounding field’s and then; the wildlife.
Add to that a few farm tracks and some woodland riding and all is well with the world.