Parkour, or the art of displacement , was created in France in the 1990s, with various sources of inspiration, including military training and action and superhero films. It is an individual training practice that involves various body movements – such as jumping, running, climbing, swinging, rolling on the ground, among others – that are intended to be performed as naturally, fluidly, precisely, and efficiently as possible . The goal is to cover distances determined by each practitioner , primarily on the ground, in a straight line (moving from one point to another), q uickly and efficiently overcoming any obstacles or barriers that may exist using only body movements. It is practiced outdoors in areas with physical barriers or obstacles – walls, fences, vegetation, holes, among others – which can be urban or rural, and without the use of any protection. It does not typically involve competition between practitioners, but there may be speed, tag or maneuvers competitions. Parkour practitioners - called traceurs - have increased over the years. They are primarily young men who enjoy setting themselves difficult individual challenges. They seek to adapt to each environment they choose and use their creativity and physical ability to find the most direct and effective route to reach their chosen final location. Some authors consider parkour a lifestyle sport or an extreme sport. However, parkour deviates from the traditional concept of a sport because it has no specific environment, equipment, or rules for its practice. A space with obstacles is sufficient; Staying safe, respecting others and the environment are cross-cutting principles; It is important to wear appropriate footwear to prevent impact injuries to the lower limbs; Loose-fitting, athletic clothing allows freedom of movement. Parkour is physically and psychologically quite demanding due to the goals its practitioners set for themselves. It requires and develops muscular strength and endurance, aerobic fitness, flexibility, motor coordination, and balance; Concentration, observation skills, creativity, and quick thinking are other characteristics associated with its practice; It constantly challenges its practitioners to overcome obstacles, fostering resilience, self-confidence, and respect for common spaces; It shares characteristics with various activities, such as the discipline of martial arts and the risk levels of climbing. Despite parkour being practiced in areas and using less traditional physical training resources, no evidence of vandalism or destruction has been reported over the years among its practitioners, who are generally regarded as empathetic, respectful, and well-integrated into the spaces they use. How to get started Whatever physical activity you want to start practicing, you should always begin with an assessment of your physical capabilities and a fitness program. The Sports Medicine Center at Hospital da Luz is the ideal place to help you. Source Pagnon D, Faity G, Maldonado G, Daout Y, Grosprêtre S. What makes parkour unique? A narrative review across miscellaneous academic fields . Sports Med 2022;52:1029-42. Author : Hugo Vieira Pereira (sports physiology) Meet the Sports and Exercise Medicine clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. Our Health Guide contents have an information purpose, are intended for the general public and may not be up to date. They do not replace the information, opinion and individual advice of a doctor or other healthcare professional in their areas of expertise.
