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Physical fitness profile of Le Parkour practitioners

Author

Leite, N. et al.

2011

|

Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte

Publication type

Artículo de revista

Language

Portugés

Keywords

physical fitness, Le Parkour, physical assessment, health.

Summary

The aim of this study was to evaluate physical fitness of Le Parkour practitioners in the city of Curitiba-PR. 13 male subjects (19.46 ± 2.82 years) who have been practicing the activity for more than six months participated in the study. Anthropometry and tests of physical fitness (back-and-forth 20-meter running, 1-minute abdominal, flexion and extension of the arms, vertical and horizontal push, sit-and-reach test and Wingate) were performed. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and are classified based on the reference tables for each test. After evaluating the VO2max, 53.85% of the practitioners were considered "low fitness" and 46.15% presented adequate cardiorespiratory fitness. Regarding strength /abdominal resistance, 46.15% of subjects were classified as "low fitness" and 53.85% as "recommended range". The peak power and average power were considered as "regular" in all subjects. The fatigue index was greater than or equal in 54% of subjects. Flexibility was assessed as "low fitness" in 69.23% of the sample. Assessment of strength / endurance of upper limbs presented 84.62% in the "recommended range". The results from this study suggest that Le Parkour, as an acyclic activity with emphasis on jumping and activities of strength in arms, led best values on tests of dynamic horizontal, vertical and strength of upper limbs. Meanwhile the other variables were below average, which should be considered in the prescription of exercises and the monitoring of individuals during the activity's practice. Further studies with larger samples and training control Le Parkour practitioners are suggested.

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