Case study: training special populations with ViPR

Training with special populations provides unique and rewarding challenges for PTs. How can ViPR assist?

Ed Kalkman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease aged just 38. A doctor himself, he had seen many patients with Parkinson's and knew that the main symptoms were stiffness, slowness and tremors. A keen sportsman, he first noticed a problem when running – he experienced cramp in his left calf and foot that only subsided when he stopped running, but returned quicker every time he ran again.

In 2003, two years after Ed first experienced this, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, something which understandably came as a big shock. "In the beginning I didn’t have any problems in day-to-day activities but over time it has become more prominent," he says.

“At the moment I have problems with fine motor skills such as operating a computer keyboard and mouse and I find it hard sometimes to drink a cup of coffee. Everything takes a lot longer. It’s a slowly progressive disease, and even though it gets worse quicker in some more than others, it always gets worse over time."

Ed has always been physically active – taking part in boxing and rowing when younger – but now exercise has taken on added importance. "In neurological conditions if you don’t exercise then you regress into a state of incapacity," says Ed. "I definitely feel a big difference when I exercise and when I don’t. I have always been dipping in and out of exercise as a way of self-treatment – from stretching at home, going to the gym and cycle rides."

Training with ViPR

It is only since the start of this year that Ed has worked with a personal trainer. So how’s he finding it?

"The one-to-one attention and continuous nagging about my posture – and what I need to do and move to correct it – is extremely useful. Since using Mishan [Ed's PT] my walking has improved immensely and my balance is a lot better."

Mishan and Ed train twice a week – and ViPR is one of the main tools that they use. Here’s what they have to say about it:

Mishan: "ViPR is definitely a very useful tool to use with Ed. The way it’s designed, with two handles on one side and a single handle on the other, means it’s good for his grip.

"We make sure that his technique is good, and even just holding it by grasping it round the outside can be a challenge. The design is great and when the weather gets nicer we’re going to use it outside and will be throwing it about, which will be really good. I find that the tool itself is absolutely fantastic."

Ed: "I had never seen ViPR before Mishan first brought it into the house and exhausted me with it! It’s helped mobilise my shoulders and we use it a lot for balance, for instance, lunges forward and pushing ViPR away and back as you step. We also do a lot of sideways movement with it – it makes the movements an extra challenge to your balance and core strength."