Keely O’Keefe
December 3, 2013
English H1204
Annotated Bibliography
Manohar, U. (2012, December 11). What Makes People Do Extreme Sports. Buzzle.com.
Retrieved December 2, 2013, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-makes-people-doextreme-sports.html
The Précis:
There is a major thrill in risk taking and extreme sport athletes also get a lot of respect from
accomplishing such challenging or dangerous defeats. Extreme sports cover a variety of
activities and people of all ages choose to participate. People challenge themselves and want to
see how much they can accomplish. Athletes love the adrenaline and “high” of extreme sports.
Some athletes desire to be seen as a daredevil that is able to put his life on the line, with the
benefits of emerging a winner.
Reflection:
This article helps the reader understand why people seek the thrill of extreme sports. It explains
that some desire to accomplish a feat most people wouldn’t even dream of doing. Adrenaline, the
natural high, accomplishment, and praise are all reasons why some choose to put their life and
body at risk. This article will help with my paper because it explains why people begin
participating in extreme sports.
Quotables:
“There's something about an extreme sport that attracts men and women to take that plunge and
just go for it.”
“Extreme sport athletes on the other hand are putting their lives on the line every time they step
outside, and even if left idle, they're busy plotting their next big risky adventure.”
“Extreme sport athletes can either be admired or looked upon with disbelief since a lot of us
cannot understand the emotions and thoughts that go behind such activities.”
Motkar, S. (2012, January 18). Preventing Extreme Sports Injuries. Buzzle.com. Retrieved
December 2, 2013, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/preventing-extreme-sportsinjuries.html
The Précis:
Extreme sports are completely different from other sports because the level of physical exertion
and speed is higher than that in traditional sports. Dangerous stunts are a major part of extreme
sports which can cause serious injuries. In traditional sports, injuries are less frequent and minor
as compared to extreme sports where injuries are frequent as well as major. To avoid injuries,
always warm up, avoid over doing, and cool down. Most people involved in extreme sports also
need to exercise regularly and physical condition their body.
Reflection:
People participate in extreme sports because they love the thrill, adrenaline, and pride. Most
extreme athletes also think they won’t get injured. Why would it happen to me? They say. Well
Keely O’Keefe
December 3, 2013
English H1204
it could very well happen to you. Extreme sports are very dangerous and injuries are extremely
common. Proper training and precaution are necessary to prevent injuries and keep athletes safe.
I’ll use this information in my paper because it discusses the critical issue of injuries in extreme
sports athletes.
Quotables:
“One can suffer from an extreme sport injury when he or she tries to perform beyond his/her
capacity without realizing its severe consequences.”
“Dangerous stunts are also a major part of extreme sports which are responsible, to a great
extent, for serious injuries.”
Nowak, P. F. (2010). Ultra Distance Running In View Of Health And Amateur Sport.
Human Movement, 11(1), 37-41.
The Précis:
Endurance exercise imposes heavy demands on human organs and systems, but athletes continue
to run, regardless. During foot races over distances longer than the traditional marathon length,
the experience of competing with one's self, the weather, or the distance surpasses the experience
of competing against the opponents. The preparation of the runner's body for such an event is
definitely a type of sport training rather than health training. It is not clear whether an
ultramarathon can be explicitly classified as a competitive sport event or extreme recreation.
Ultra runners display a variety of attitudes towards their competition as well as different aims
and motivations. Some participants express negative impacts on health but continue to run.
Reflection:
Ultra runners are committed to long distance training and racing. Each runner has a different
reason for participating, but a reason nonetheless. Despite health issues and injuries, ultra runners
continue to run because of their desire to run. I can use this information because it helps explain
why ultra runners continue to run even with associated health risks.
Quotables:
“Each participant must be over 18 years of age and is required to provide his or her medical
checkup results or a written statement of consent and pay the registration fee.”
“Participation in ultra running events requires long-term, systematic, daily training mostly aimed
at the development of the body's aerobic capacity, i.e. running a great many kilometers on a
weekly, monthly and yearly basis.”
“As participation in ultrarunning races constitutes a heavy load to the human body, it also
involves a risk of injuries and health deterioration.”
Keely O’Keefe
December 3, 2013
English H1204
Rettner, R. (2012, June 4). Too Much Exercise Can Be Bad for the Heart. LiveScience.com.
Retrieved December 2, 2013, from http://www.livescience.com/36425-extreme-enduranceexercise-heart-problems.html
The Précis:
Exercise is generally great for health, but extreme forms of it may be bad for the heart in some
cases. Training for and participating in extreme endurance exercises may cause heart problems.
Extreme exercise is not really conducive to great cardiovascular health. Over time, repeated
bouts of extreme exercise may lead to permanent damage, such as heart scaring. In one study of
about 100 apparently healthy marathon runners, 12 percent showed evidence of heart scaring —
a rate three times higher than that of non-marathon runners. To exercise for health, 150 minutes
of moderate exercise per week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week are recommended.
Exercise beyond this amount doesn't translate to extra health benefits.
Reflection:
Why do people participate in extreme sports if they have such serious health concerns and
issues? It makes you wonder why people do activities and sports when they could possibly have
such serious consequences. As a long distance runner, I think the benefits outweigh the risks.
Pride and knowing you accomplished a lofty goal are very motivating factors.
Quotables:
“Extreme exercise is not really conducive to great cardiovascular health."
“Extreme exercise has also been associated with an increased risk of calcium build up in artery
walls, leading to a narrowing of the arteries, the researchers said.”
“And studies of marathon runners show that up to 50 percent of them have increased levels of
troponin, a marker of heart injury, and B-type natriuretic peptide, a marker of pressure on the
heart, during and after a marathon, the researchers said.”
Sykose Extreme Sports News. (2013, September 29). Sykose Extreme Sports News.
Retrieved December 2, 2013, from http://sykose.com/2013/09/29/the-grandmother-of-allultra-runners/
The Précis:
Ultra running is not for the faint-hearted and takes grueling training. 51 year old Mimi Anderson,
one of Britain’s top ultra-runners and holder of several world titles, will participate in
Spartathlon, one of the sport’s toughest events. She runs anything from 12 to 20 hours a week,
covering 70 to 100 miles in total, and takes only one day off. Ultras start from 30 miles/50km
but the distances are frequently much greater, and they can be non-stop or staged over several
days. At the elite end of the sport there are strict time cut-offs at each stage when slower runners
are eliminated. These are serious races for serious runners.
Reflection:
Keely O’Keefe
December 3, 2013
English H1204
Ultra-running is an extremely difficult and time consuming sport. Many hours of training are
required to run an ultra-marathon and a tough mind is a necessity. Runners have to be able to
block out pain and discomfort and focus purely on the run. This article shows how serious ultrarunning is and how mentally and physically tough and prepared each runner has to be. I can use
this in my paper because it shows how extreme ultra-running is and helps explain why some
people participate in such a grueling sport.
Quotables:
“Ultra running is not for the faint-hearted and takes grueling training.”
“Actually I think most people who do ultra running have obsessive personalities. You probably
have to.”
“She says running has given her self-belief and acknowledges it’s a selfish pleasure.”