Risk judgements in sport: an experimental approach with hikers

Abstract

Risk perception among mountain athletes is a determining factor in preventing injuries. The objective of this paper is to understand how the level of concern (as a measure of risk perception) is generated on the basis of variables related to the context (difficulty of terrain and time pressure) and the individuals (self-confidence and fatigue). To do so, 16 mountain-related scenarios were designed that combined information on the four variables in the study. Following an intrasubject design and controlling for experience, a total of 159 participants (54% of whom were men) were asked about the level of concern each scenario produced in them. The results show that difficulty and time pressure combine interactively to determine risk perception and that the variables together interact with self-confidence on one hand and fatigue on the other. This study furthers knowledge of the cognitions associated to risk in sports and serves as the basis for preventive interventions.