|
Abstract
|
In regards to the case presentation entitled: "Spinal cord injury in Parkour sport (free running): a rare case report."1 by Nima Derakhshan et al, I received some critic letters, asking to amend the distinctions between the two entities, Parkour and Freerunning.
Due to media misrepresentations, Parkour and Freerunning are often confused, and are sometimes used synonymously. However, although there are factors that make these disciplines similar, there are also important factors that make them distinct.
Parkour is a novel physical discipline to improve skills to overcome obstacles efficiently and safely to be able to reach someone who is in help or to escape from harm, where as freerunning is a pursuit that uses quite similar movements but has a different purpose. The main difference is that Parkour is primarily focused on movements of efficiency and utility with a huge emphasis on safety, while Freerunning is a pursuit of aesthetic or expressive mobility. In short, a Parkour practitioner has no use for "double front flips" or other such acrobatic movements, while a Freerunner will endeavour to incorporate flips, tricks and flair where possible.
In the recent article,1 it is stated that the unfortunate injured party was practising Parkour. The injured party may himself have been unaware of the distinction between the two, but his attempt at a double front flip is a clear sign that he was practicing Freerunning, not Parkour.
This distinction will often have little meaning for the individual practicing but, to organizations that pride themselves on teaching the discipline of Parkour safely and sustainably; it is an important distinction to make clear in the public eye.
Language: en |