Parkour is a term that refers to a non-competitive sporting activity that is based on people’s motor skills. The discipline is based on advancing in a straight line overcoming obstacles on the ground without the use of accessories, supports or accessories of any kind.

Those who practice this activity must develop their maximum ability to move, adapting to the environment and overcoming the difficulties in their body. Running, climbing, jumping are the actions that are most carried out in this activity.

Its origins are related to the natural method of training proposed by the French military man Georges Hébert (1875-1957) who, inspired by the African tribes, presented this activity. Among the first practitioners of parkour are the members of the yamaski group, such as the actors Sebastian Foucan and David Belle.

Those who practice this activity are called traceurs. These athletes perform various stunts and stunts, although, according to the philosophical principles of parkour, they should not put their lives at risk.

Beyond this matter, dangerous situations are common. Traucers can jump great distances or from a great height, for this reason they must try to have a safe fall. Injuries occur very frequently, especially when facing increasingly complex challenges.

With constant practice of parkour, training helps increase flexibility , agility, and coordination. Experts in this technique consider that individuals of all ages can carry out this activity, although always according to their physical condition. As with any sport, it is necessary to have a medical check-up before starting the routine.

Types

At first glance, a parkour activity conveys the sensation of having been created by special effects, since the agility of traceurs to move in their environment seems impossible for an ordinary person to do. Although, like all disciplines, the most incredible deployments usually take place after many years of hard training and intense discipline.

Parkour has an extensive series of movements and techniques that are classified into three categories: jumps, movements and others. Next we will start by mentioning the most relevant ones that pertain to displacement.

• Catwalks: it is considered a basic movement. Its purpose is to overcome the obstacle in the most efficient way possible, using only one hand for support. It serves to link 2 race sections without losing speed if an element such as a fence is present in the middle.
• Support gate : starts going directly towards the obstacle and continues with the support of one hand and the opposite foot so that the movement can be fluid.
• Cat or monkey : a jump that consists of flanking in using the hands in order to lean on the parallel throughout the course; and then pass both bent legs between the arms and the obstacles.
• Cambio 180 or demi tour : here you use your hands to turn around and end up being on your back once you have crossed a fence or a wall

Examples of one of the most important jumps

• Distention: the point where the person falls is at a different level than the initial jump.
• Accuracy: also known colloquially as “preci”, it does not require a previous race and its purpose is to obtain the reception of a wall, a fence or any other narrow space. It can be done with one foot or one hand.
• Bottom: it is carried out in a descending direction, according to the inertia a rotation may agree.
• Arm : it is used to reach with the arms some point that is difficult to reach, even with the feet.

In the “others” category, the following stand out:

• Plank: it is used to reach a position which allows us to support the weight of the body completely stretched out with our hands on top of a horizontal bar.
• Grimpeo: to go over a high wall, a race is previously taken and the same is raised in order to ascend. Being at the top, the hands are used to continue.

Profits

• Develops motor skills.
• Improve balance.
• Improves cardiorespiratory capacity.
• It benefits the resolution capacity and decision making in risk situations.
• Improves spatial ability.
• Increase strength.

Irrigation

• Any route is not favorable for all audiences.
• High chances of hitting yourself.
• Risk of injury from sprains or falls
• It cannot be done by people with hemophilia or osteoporosis.