141 Participation in Parkour. (17th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Finlay, Fiona; Choudhery, Noman
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 107(2022)Supplement 2
• Page Start: A509
• Page End: A509
• Publication Date: 2022-08-17
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-rcpch.819
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: Participation in sport and recreation may improve both physical and mental health, reduce crime levels, generate employment and encourage a more positive attitude to education. More young people are engaging in informal sporting activities, rather than participating in more traditional structured team sports, as witnessed in Olympics 2020. Paediatricians may see young people with sporting injuries and a 15 year old boy admitted with a head injury, sustained while participating in parkour, lead us to conduct a literature review to study this activity in more detail. Methods: Literature review. Results: Parkour is the art of moving fluidly from one part of the environment to another as quickly and efficiently as possible. It involves running, climbing, swinging, vaulting, rolling, crawling, jumping and leaping across natural or architectural obstacles such as trees, walls, fences, staircases or roofs. Participation in parkour has grown in recent years with internet forms, U Tube videos and films such as Casino Royale featuring parkour, contributing to its popularity. The sport aims to build confidence, determination, self-discipline and self-reliance, and encourages community spirit and respect for others. Various injuries have been reported in the literature with high-energy trauma resulting in severe impairment if not properly treated. A retrospective cross-sectional online questionnaire study involving 266 parkour participants found that on average, each sustained 1.9 injuries/year, or 5.5 injuries/1000 hours training. The upper extremity was the most affected body region (58%). Of all injuries, the most common were skin abrasions (70.3%), muscle injuries (13.1%), dislocations (6.1%), and soft tissue (e. g., ligaments, tendons) injuries (5.3%). Other injuries described include fractures, sprains and strains, contusions, lacerations, spinal cord injuries and traumatic carotid-cavernous sphenoid sinus fistulas. Most injuries occur as a result of striking objects or occur on landing (61% injuries), with athletes developing multiple movement patterns to deal with their momentum during landing, dissipating the impact. Overestimation accounts for 23% and misjudging the situation 20% injuries. Parkour UK works closely with national organisations, local authorities and constabularies, to encourage the safe and appropriate practice of parkour. It recognises that there are risks of injury and has taken steps to minimise these through risk-benefit assessments, using evidence based methodology which is in line with Government Policy, European Play and Education Policy, best practice guidelines from the Health and Safety Executive, RoSPA and The Play Safety Forum. It has led on the development of the British Standard for Parkour Equipment along with The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accident, enabling local authorities, schools, sports centres, manufacturers and installers to build facilities that are fit-for-purpose. Conclusion: Parkour may contribute to the physical health and mental wellbeing of young people, appealing to those who do not take part in traditional team games. Paediatricians should encourage participation in sport, stressing the importance of training and starting with basic moves, before progressing to more complex ones, to minimise risk of injury. Parkour aims to build determination and self-reliance and encourages community spirit and respect for others.