Why Do You Ride?: A Characterization of Mountain Bikers, Their Engagement Methods, and Perceived Links to Mental Health and Well-Being

Abstract

Mountain biking is an increasingly popular outdoor activity on the extreme sport continuum. Extreme and high-risk sports have been investigated using a variety of motivational theories with sensation seeking a dominant theme; however, behavioral and motivational homogeneity within these types of populations should not be assumed. Recent studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of extreme sports and similar outdoor activities. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of mountain biking participants, their engagement methods, and perceived benefits to mental health and well-being. This was a cross-sectional survey and participants were recruited via social media. An online questionnaire specific to the domain of mountain biking was developed. Analysis of the full sample (n = 1,484) and of three independent paired sub-samples was conducted using SPSS. The sub-samples compared the results of males and females; younger and older riders; and those who have recently engaged in downhill mountain biking and those who have not. The results have succeeded in identifying some disparities in mountain biker characteristics and engagement methods. The results suggest that some riders found pleasure in higher risk engagement. The study proposes various explanations for the disproportion of women in mountain biking. Irrespective of the confounding factors related to rider characteristics or engagement methods, mountain bikers reported copious benefits to mental health and well-being related to their engagement. There was a high reported usage of mountain biking as a coping strategy. As such, this study provides insights that could inform the development of outdoor activities as interventions for mental health.

Mental health rescue effects of women's outdoor tourism: A role in COVID-19 recovery

“…Results reported here reveal a much wider variety of mental health outcomes than previous analyses of outdoor recreation. Some of the outcomes identified, such as transformation, gratitude, and clarity, whilst not reported previously for hiking, have been identified for highly active outdoor pursuits, including extreme sports ( Booth, 2018 ; Buckley, 2018a ; Collins & Brymer, 2018 ; Holmbom et al, 2017 ; Houge Mackenzie & Brymer, 2018 ; Morris & Scott, 2019 ; Roberts et al, 2018 ; Zanon, Curtis, Lockstone-Binney, & Hall, 2018 ). Other outcomes identified here, such as happiness, relaxation and destressing, challenge, and companionship, have been reported in previous qualitative studies of hiking ( Davies, 2018 ; Kelly et al, 2018 ; Lyu et al, 2018 ; Richardson & McEwan, 2018 ; Wensley & Slade, 2012 ).…”

“…Mental health benefits have been shown for many different types of adventurous outdoor recreation ( Araújo et al, 2019 ; Buckley, 2018a ; Collins & Brymer, 2018 ; Frühauf et al, 2016 ; Hansson et al, 2019 ; Hetland, Kjelstrup, Mittner, & Vitterso, 2019 ; Holland, Powell, Thomsen, & Monz, 2018 ; Holmbom, Brymer, & Schweitzer, 2017 ; Morris & Scott, 2019 ; Niedermeier et al, 2017 ; Roberts, Jones, & Brooks, 2018 ; White et al, 2016 ). Benefits have also been demonstrated for contemplative outdoor activities, such as forest walks ( Chen, Yu, & Lee, 2018 ; Hansen, Jones, & Tocchini, 2017 ; Kobayashi et al, 2018 ; Lyu et al, 2018 ; Morita et al, 2007 ; Oh et al, 2017 ).…”

Key Risk Factors Affecting Farmers’ Mental Health: A Systematic Review

“…One plausible example could be solar radiation exposure for all outdoor workers, resulting in several severe adverse health effects with possible psychological consequences but also a supposed beneficial effect on some psychiatric disorders, such as depression [193]. Indeed, there might be some therapeutic potential of outdoor activities or being more outdoor vs. indoor, which might be encouraged to improve individuals’ (not specifically farmers) mental health and vitamin D status [194,195], but these aspects were not the specific focus of this study and they are left for future research.…”

Ibiza dances to the rhythm of pedals: The motivations of mountain biking tourists competing in sporting events

“…A detailed analysis of the main literature that studies mountain bike tourist profiles shows a changing trend. Initially, it was a sport carried out by young men due to their perceived risk levels ( Cessford, 1995 ; Getz & McConnell, 2011; Roberts et al, 2018 ). However, as mountain bike tourism evolved, the profiles of those attracted to it have become more homogenous, with privileged mid-life males outweighing the rest.…”