Often the victim of clichés, petanque is nevertheless recognized as a sport, both by the Ministry of Sports and by the French National Olympic and Sports Committee. Address, concentration and balance are particularly required.
- Pétanque and the Provençal game improve mental well-being, stress management and socialization.
- This sport of skill and precision helps maintain muscles, flexibility and joints. It also works on memory, concentration and analysis of the situation.
What if petanque was more than a relaxing sport, with health benefits? Certainly for Doctor Jean-Pierre Iannarelli, referent doctor of the French Federation of petanque and Provençal game. “Pétanque is a sport that requires precision and skill, just like archery or pistol shooting. This works on motor coordination — gaze, arm gestures — static and dynamic balance, proprioception — i.e. the perception of one’s own body in space — and cognitive functions, i.e. memory, concentration or analysis of the situation”, adds Jean-Pierre Iannarelli, also in charge of the French petanque team.
These virtues contrast with the collective image of sport which necessarily mobilizes cardio and/or muscles. “A sport is an activity that mobilizes your body, it is not a question of the use of forceconfirms the doctor. Petanque is recognized by the Ministry of Sports as well as the National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) via its referencing in the practice of ‘health sport’.”
Good for the joints and the mind
Often considered the ideal setting for relaxation with friends, the game of petanque also helps maintain physical fitness. In a game of one hour in doubles – or play with a partner against another duo – the player will have covered an average of 1.5 km between the shot, the observation on the side and the analysis of the result. Above all, he will have lifted nearly 52 kg on this occasion, with balls weighing 700 g. A solicitation that allows the maintenance of the muscles, to which is added that of all the joints. “Pétanque mobilizes the mechanics of the entire skeleton with the pendulum movement of the arm, the legs which bend, the hips and the ankles which are activated to count points or pick up a ball.he lists. This makes all the joints work without any particular pain!”
In addition to fighting against sedentarization, the practice of pétanque is aimed at as many people as possible. “Playing pétanque makes it possible to break isolation, to mix all social classes and generations or men and womenrejoices the referring doctor. It is a positive and very friendly activity.” A sport recognized by the medical community for its beneficial effects at the psychosocial level. Beyond socialization, pétanque and Provençal games improve mental well-being, help with stress management and facilitate socialization. What are we waiting for to be fulfilled?
.