How the kBox Helps Dutch Physiotherapist Lotte Lafeber

September 29, 2015

Flywheel training is increasingly being used for rehabilitation and physiotherapy and the world’s most innovative country in applying this is probably the Netherlands. One of the many skilled Dutch physiotherapists specialised in flywheel training is Lotte Lafeber who is based in Rotterdam.

Fredrik Correa reached out to Lotte to learn more about her involvement with flywheel training and how she uses the kBox with her patients. She generously agreed to share her experience, for us all to benefit from.

What made you want to become a physio?

I’ve always wanted to work in health care since I was young. When I found out that with physiotherapy you can combine working in health care with sports, I chose this field. In the work you have a lot of contact with the patients which I like. Working together with a patient to reach the goals you’ve set up together is a very thankful job.

Tell us about your current work as a physio?

I’m working as a physiotherapist for two days a week at Praktijk voor fysio- en manuele therapie ‘Groothandelsgebouw’ in Rotterdam and for two days a week at Fysio Effect in Rijswijk. We see all kinds of patients and their problems vary from back pain and neck pain caused by working too much at a desk, to injuries sustained while playing sports. Since I’m doing a masters degree in sports physiotherapy I’m focusing on the patients with injuries related to sports. So for example runners with knee injuries or rehabilitation after an operation like an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

How did you come in contact with flywheel training?

We were looking for a new and innovative way of strength training. We came in contact with your reseller and they advised us to try flywheel training. So we purchased a kBox combined with SmartCoach for the clinic in Rotterdam.

What problems or difficulties do you find the kBox solves for you in rehab?

While training with patients I always try to use the most functional way. Mostly the goal in rehab is not to grow muscles as big as possible, but to be able to use the muscle in the right way during your normal activities or during sports. During normal movements your muscles are contracting in a concentric, eccentric or isotonic fashion. With most strength training you’re training the concentric contraction and a small amount of isotonic but the eccentric contraction is less involved. With the kBox you can make sure you use all three of them. So this makes it a very functional way to train the muscles and it simulates the real sports activity.

How do you think the kBox works as a tool in rehab and then crossing over into regular training?

It helps that you not only focus on the concentric but also on the eccentric contraction. You can also analyse your training using the feedback system. You can make the results clear to your patients by showing them the progression curve and also expose asymmetries in strength between the left end right leg.

Are there any situations where you believe the kBox is extra beneficial?

I often use the kBox with people with knee problems where I see a lot of positive results. The feedback I get from patients is also positive and they appreciate this new form of training. Because of the clear results presented via SmartCoach they are very motivated to achieve maximum effort with every repetition. We’ve put a laptop next to the kBox so not only we can see it, but also the patient.

Can you tell us about any special cases where you have used the kBox and what the outcome was?

I will tell you about someone with patellofemoral knee pain. In her case the condition of the cartilage between patella and femur was decreased. With normal activities she didn’t experience pain but during sport the pressure on the patella increased, resulting in pain in the knee. With the kBox we trained the strength of the quadriceps, the collaboration between the quadriceps and hamstrings and the abductor muscles of the hip to optimize function of the lower-extremity kinematic chain. This, in combination with some stability training led to the fact that she is playing sport now with no pain at all.

Do you have any tips for other physios looking at incorporating flywheel training in their clinical work?

I would like to advise them to do so. It is a very effective way to train with your patients. Besides that, the kBox itself is not that big. So if you don’t have much space in your exercise room for big devices the kBox is the good way to go.

Lastly, what are your personal plans in the next year looking at your professional life?

I would like to develop more in the sports field of physiotherapy. During my masters, over the coming three years I hope to learn much more about training and rehabilitation. Also I would like to focus more on the prevention of injuries. With an analysis you can often already see where weak points are. When you start trying to correct these before it results in an overload at the joint or muscle , you can often prevent the athlete from sustaining an actual injury. And the kBox will be a helpful part in this.

That wraps it up, thank you Lotte for contributing and good luck in your future studies and professional development!