The Potsdam Model developed by Dr. René Kittel from Potsdam University serves as the theoretical and practical framework for the ErgoWall trainings. In practice, this means that experienced teaching therapists work out individual training plans with participating therapists who, in turn, work with patients using ErgoWall. They do not teach ready-made programs, but rather frameworks that concentrate on the individual needs and situation of each patient.
The target of these trainings is that each therapist feels safe and competent to define a therapy goal with their patients, to introduce them to ErgoWall and to work with them in a way that the sensomotoric and psychological development becomes apparent. The therapy and fitness manuals available give them the necessary confidence and the possibility to gain expertise.
The variety of methods taught and tested during trainings and classes is the foundation for working with ErgoWall. Our head of physiotherapeutic and climbing instructor Jens Brünjes offers a divers setting: from playful and creative warm-ups and joint-specific exercises all the way to complex programs with different speeds and inclination angles.
A long-time physiotherapist and teacher, Jens Brünjes conceives training modules based on two sources: from the experience gained by working with neurologic and orthopedic patients and from his competence as a group leader, which the ErgoWall therapist has acquired thanks to his activities around theme-centred interaction (TCI). Therefore, his didactics and methods are TCI-certified and make for vivid learning with fun and structure.
A diverse motion such as climbing cannot be regulated easily within a therapeutic setting. The PM is based on the principle to make it a possible therapy model for many indication.
The model has been developed by sports researchers from Potsdam University under the guidance and supervision of Dr. René Kittel, who has played a significant part in further developing ErgoWall and PhysioClimb for therapeutic purposes.
The PM focuses on specific motion sequences while climbing which can, for example, stabilize the knee joint after a ligament rupture. These climbing movements are structured into so-called therapy boulders, which are in turn divided into stabilization squares and stress triangles.
The PM is based on the principles of the medical training therapy. Regulating factors such as duration and intensity, repetitions etc. can always be adapted to the patients and their therapy goals.
A sensomotoric component is also integrated in the PM, i.e. the motivation of patients, the fun factor for children and adults and the fact that climbing is always a return to our basic patterns of movement.
Therefore, Dr. Kittel does not only see climbing from a therapeutic point of view, but also points out that it is a special form of movement and personal experience, i.e. children climbing on trees or recreational climbing in the nature. “My credo”, says Dr. Kittel, “is as much therapy as necessary while climbing as much as possible.”
The essence of the PM is represented by the therapy manual developed by Dr. Kittel. The manual includes important indications for key areas of the locomotive apparatus, e.g. the spine, the shoulder joint and their treatment through climbing therapy. It is THE manual that comes to use during in-house trainings.
The PM has a comprehensive approach to climbing, yet focuses on a select combination of grips and steps in a therapeutic setting.
This makes it an authentic climbing technique for athletes and an effective approach for the medical and therapeutic context.
Dr. René Kittel
e-mail: r.kittel@ergo-wall.de
Scientific Head of Training
Lector and Teacher
Our ErgoWall team advises, trains and supports you!
There are treadmills and there are climbing walls. Both come into use in the field of prevention and therapy. While exercising on a treadmill usually disregards the shoulder and arm area, climbing up a bouldering wall is limited to a horizontal motion and moving “on the spot”. ErgoWall offers the combination of both components: The therapist or trainer stands right behind the patient or client and, who moves in an upward fashion, activating their diagonal motion patterns..
After purchase, you will receive a one-day introduction into ErgoWall.
At the school for physiotherapy in Cologne, take part in two- or four-day events – either on one or two weekends.