PREFACE: In 2015, we partnered with the biomechanics lab at the University of Colorado at Boulder to deconstruct the vertical wall run technique. Wall runs by 20 parkour coaches and athletes from various APEX schools were analyzed using wall-mounted force plates and high-speed cameras set up at APEX Boulder. Special thanks to Amos Rendao, Dr. Rodger Kram, Peter Lawson, Bryant Pham, and all the APEX athletes and coaches who took part in the study. — Ryan Ford
Research
The Achilles Tear in Parkour: A Pattern Observed, Solutions Offered
The Achilles tear is a devastating injury, and although it is not common in parkour at the moment, we may see this pattern accelerate due to factors such as a growing demographic of older practitioners and the Achilles put under more and more tension in complex positions as advanced practitioners push human limits. We’ve taken notice of this injury showing up worldwide and have created solutions for mitigating it in our own coaching practices and curriculum.
Must-Read Books for Parkour Athletes & Coaches
If you want to improve at parkour, it’s not always about training harder. For a lot of people, a missing element is training smarter. Fortunately, top coaches and journalists from around the world have discovered and published many secrets to building strength, gaining mobility, mastering your mind, and obtaining new skills. You don’t always have … Read more