Should Teens Be Allowed to Do Extreme Sports?

For snowboarder Chloe Kim, nothing beats the thrill of zooming down a ramp at top speed and pulling off new tricks. The athlete (pictured above) started winning gold medals at age 14, at the Winter X Games, a competition that showcases extreme sports—physical activities involving high speeds and high risk. In 2018, at age 17, she became the youngest woman ever to win Olympic gold in snowboarding.

Kim is hardly alone in her love of extreme sports. Big-thrill activities including snowboarding, rock climbing, and bicycle motocross have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years—and more young people have been taking part.

Some experts say that’s a good thing. After all, they note, participating in extreme sports keeps teens active and helps them learn to assess and take risks, overcome their fears, and push their limits. Such sports can also help teach the importance of hard work and dedication, proponents argue.

But critics say extreme sports are too dangerous for teens. They point out that young thrill seekers may be more likely to try stunts that are too advanced for them, which can lead to serious injuries—or even death.

Should teens be allowed to do extreme sports? Two experts weigh in.

It’s well-known that physical activity has many health benefits. Unfortunately, many teens today have lost interest in traditional sports. But activities such as snowboarding and mountain biking have become more popular. That’s a good thing.

Although extreme sports are associated with a higher potential for injury, this very risk may be what helps get—and keep—teens involved. If teens don’t feel challenged by an activity, they might lose interest in it.

Young people need to learn to take chances and push limits. Doing so is crucial to figuring out when to take chances—and when not to. Risk-free activities deprive teens of ways to test themselves and overcome their fears.

Risk is a fact of life. For instance, daily commuting is associated with a large number of car accidents. But we don’t suggest that teens never get in a car. Instead, we tell them they can protect themselves by wearing a seat belt.

To avoid serious injuries, teens must be honest with themselves about their skill level. Athletes competing in the X Games or the Olympics spend years working their way up to the gravity-defying stunts we see on TV. Teens should avoid the most dangerous tricks until they’re truly ready. And they should always wear a helmet.

Teens may lack the ability to judge risks and the consequences of failure. That’s why it’s important for them to have guidance from a coach or parent. Nevertheless, extreme sports can still be part of a healthy, balanced life.

—Jamie Burr
Professor of Exercise Physiology; University of Guelph; Guelph, Canada

Sports that include flying through the air on a motorcycle or doing flips before landing on an icy mountainside are very dangerous. They involve a level of risk that’s far greater than in soccer, basketball, or baseball.

With extreme sports, we’re not just talking about the possibility of a broken leg. I have treated motocross riders who suffered serious injuries that left them disabled. One of my patients lost his leg in an ATV accident. Massive head trauma that can cause permanent brain damage and even death is also a real possibility.

Several years ago, I was part of a team that studied injuries related to extreme sports. We found more than 4 million injuries resulting from these activities over 11 years. About 40,000 involved the head or neck. Such injuries can lead to lifelong disabilities.

Even the most advanced protective equipment can’t prevent all injuries. And because young people grow so fast, it’s hard to fit protective gear correctly. Also, research shows that their brains are more vulnerable to the effects of injuries and take longer to recover.

Teens don’t yet have the tools they need to make good choices about whether extreme sports are worth the risk. It’s a matter of brain development. Scientists have found that the part of the brain that guides impulse control and weighs risks isn’t fully mature until adulthood.

That is why adults need to step in and tell kids to wait to participate in these very dangerous sports—at least until they’re old enough to be responsible for their own decisions.

—Vani J. Sabesan
Sports Medicine Surgeon; Cleveland Clinic Florida; Weston, Florida