Abstract

This study is based on an earlier one (1995) containing a proposed taxonomic classification which we have now reviewed and updated according to the growth and emergence of these practices during this period. On an intrinsic level, we studied the purpose and nature of these activities and rethought and analysed the relevance and appropriateness of ‘Adventure Physical Activities in Nature’ (APAN) as a valid name to identify them. On an extrinsic level, we identified the APAN that are currently being significantly performed by part of the population worldwide and we restructured and completed the taxonomic classification of 1995 with the specific presence of a new emerging sector ‘Fire’ due to the increasing presence of practices that use the internal combustion engine. We built a table identifying each of the selected APAN practices and drew up a table of environmental impacts with four pollutant classifications. Finally, we developed a coordinate axis in which we link the degree of sportisation of the groups of practices with the ‘asceticism/hedonism’ variable. In the previous study we distinguished three major mediums, ‘Air’, ‘Earth’ and ‘Water’, with 6 groups (A), 13 groups (E) and 8 groups (W) respectively. In total, we structured 27 groups and we clearly identified 33 practices. In the current study we have four mediums, ‘Air’, ‘Earth’, ‘Water’ and ‘Fire’, with 5 groups (A), 12 groups (E), 8 groups (W) and 4 groups (F). In summary, we build 29 groups and we distinguish 98 practices.