Challenges in the transition to mainstream: Promoting progress and minimizing injury in freeskiing and snowboarding

Abstract

The recent addition of freeski slopestyle, freeski halfpipe and snowboard slopestyle to the Winter Olympics, joining snowboard halfpipe, has seen increased interest in these disciplines. As skill-based action sports performers, athletes tread a fine line. Success is achieved by pushing the boundaries of one's performance to outdo the opposition. If progression is avoided, or by pushing things too far or too fast and getting injured, failure is inevitable. Through a biopsychosocial perspective, we identify major factors influencing both performance progression and injury, suggesting ways to enhance support provided to these action-sport athletes while acknowledging and respecting their unique cultural and social milieu.