The application of an ecological dynamics approach to the athletic development of youth basketball players: the use of parkour to develop fundamental movement skills

Youth athletic development models emphasise the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS) in preadolescent children before sports specific skills (SSS). However, in sports such as basketball, FMS and SSS are not necessarily separate. An alternative perspective, based on the ecological dynamics framework, suggests that sports can be used to develop transferable FMS and SSS concurrently. Parkour has been proposed as a donor sport to enhance movement skills and capabilities transferable to team sports athletes like basketball, although further research is needed. This research investigates parkour’s potential as a donor sport for youth basketball players from an ecological dynamics perspective. Based upon a meta-analysis of bodyweight-only neuromuscular training programmes on motor control in youth athletes aged 8-18 years and basketball coaches’ perceptions of FMS, a narrative review explored parkour’s role in developing adaptable movement skills. A cross-sectional study compared the biomechanical properties of the parkour tic-tac skill and the basketball lay-up shot, revealing that the parkour action resulted in significantly higher maximum acceleration, suggesting it could enhance propulsive capabilities of the lower limb. Two intervention studies examined parkour’s effects on youth basketball players, revealing that although parkour did not outperform conventional athletic development training, it promoted greater engagement and enjoyment. Thus, parkour may effectively increase movement skills and physical capabilities whilst keeping young players motivated. Parkour offers a diverse repertoire of movement, which may be particularly beneficial for preadolescent players, potentially reducing the risks of single-sport specialisation while enhancing basketball-specific performance. For adolescent basketball players, parkour-based exercises could be included into strength and conditioning (S&C) programmes to improve transferable physical capabilities. By adopting the ecological dynamics framework, organisations and governing bodies responsible for the long-term development of youth basketball players can create more effective training strategies that combine motor learning, performance, and athletic development.