Introduction: Extreme sports is a universal label for many non-traditional organized and independent adventure sports. It is known that human beings have a natural inclination to look for and discovering new and extraordinary experiences. Literature largely focuses on the psychological perspective for peoples’ engagement in extreme sports and the risk-taking aspect thereof. Little is known about how the occupation of extreme sports promotes health and well-being among the middle-aged.
Objectives: This study investigated the lived experiences of middle-aged adults who participate in extreme sport in South Africa. This includes an exploration of the motivation for participation, meaning derived from participation as well as the impact that extreme sport participation has on health and well-being.
Methods: A phenomenological research tradition was employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five persons in middle adulthood to explore their lived experience of participating in extreme sport. Data were analysed inductively using a thematic approach.
Results: Four themes were generated from the data: “Predisposing factors that influence extreme sports participation”; “Becoming through extreme sports participation”; “ The effect of extreme sports participation on the physical and mental states” and “The personal meaning making of the experience of extreme sports participation in middle adulthood”.
Conclusion: Using an occupational lens, the study findings contributes to a deeper understanding of the participation in valued and risk-taking occupations such as extreme sports and the impact it has on the health and well-being of individuals in their middle age who engage in it.