Dynamics of Progression in Mountain Bike Racing

A major tenet of the recreation specialization framework is that people progress to higher stages of involvement over time. Results from recent studies suggest that involvement may actually be marked by stability or decline. Little is known about the extent to which people progress in outdoor activities where objective standards of performance exist. The purpose of this study was to examine the antecedents of objective and subjective progression among competitive mountain bike racers. Specialization dimensions of behavior, skill, and commitment differentiated among three classes of participants: Category 1, 2, and 3 racers. Specialization dimensions were also used to predict participants’ subjective progression in participation over the past five years and next five years. Relationships between specialization dimensions and subjective measures of progression differed with endurance skill and personal commitment being most significant. This study provides insight into the dynamics of progression, particularly in outdoor activities where objective performance standards exist.