In recent years, parkour has gained popularity among younger people. More and more children practice parkour, thus joining the many who are attracted to this discipline that originated in France in the 90s in which the body and the environment are used as tools to overcome obstacles fluidly. Discover everything about this sport and listen to recommendations about at what age and under what conditions they can start practicing it, before the little ones embark on this adventure.
What is parkour?
Practitioners, called traceurs/traceuses, aim to move from one point to another of the environment in the simplest and most efficient way possible, adapting to its demands with the sole help of your body.
Its practice involves exploration and adaptation to the environment and requires great motor capacity. It also tends to be considered a form of expression in terms of freedom and control over one's own natural movement and an opportunity to challenge physical and mental limits.
The benefits for children
Parkour offers a series of benefits for the physical and mental development of children, which is beneficial as long as it is practiced in a safe environment and under adult supervision. Do you want to know all the benefits that this sport can bring to your child? They are the following:
- Helps prevent stress. Parkour stands out as an explosive physical activity, which requires high-intensity movements. Not only is it fun and helps them release energy, but it also improves brain oxygenation, considerably reducing stress.
- Improves fitness and balance. In parkour, all the major muscle groups of the body are involved, with the legs, arms, glutes and middle area being the most benefited sectors. In addition, the exercises require great mastery of posture and balance, which is why it improves.
- Development of psychomotor skills. With regular parkour practice, children achieve great advances in coordination, agility, proprioception and laterality, among other skills.
- Increased your confidence and self-esteem. By becoming aware of each challenge they overcome, children begin to believe more in their abilities and improve their self-concept.
- Fostering camaraderie. Parkour is not a competitive sport. Children not only celebrate the achievements of their peers but benefit from them as they can learn with them.
Age to practice it
Do you think that pankour is a good alternative for your children to do physical activity and enjoy in their free time? Are your children attracted to her? Then you're probably wondering what the ages to practice parkour more suitable.
The physical and emotional maturity of the child is key to setting an appropriate age to start practicing pankour. In general it is recommended that they do not do it before the age of seven and from this age onwards, if they are interested, they should begin to practice it in introductory classes under the supervision of trained professionals.
And although all children know how to jump, parkour requires precise jumps and, what is equally or more important, reception techniques to cushion falls and avoid injuries. This is one of the reasons why it is essential that children at that age receive appropriate training.
The training will also help them become familiar with protection equipment such as helmets, knee pads or elbow pads. An equipment that as adults we must provide them when they practice this discipline always, of course, under supervision and in safe and appropriate training areas for their level.
Where it is practiced?
Parkour can be practiced both individually and collectively. in any environment and not exclusively in urban spaces. Adaptation to the chosen environment to overcome the different obstacles present on a course is the key to this discipline, so it is enough that there are obstacles to be able to practice it.
It is very important when you are going to start parkour that you do it progressively and safely since it is a sport that involves certain risks. Therefore, especially in the case of children, it is recommended to go to parkour centers and parks designed for them where they can safely learn basic techniques from a professional. They will have time after starting to practice it on the street.