Jakub Wrona, former physiotherapist of Olympic champion Ester Ledecká

"Physiotherapy at the University of Ostrava is great because it offers a large amount of practical training," says Jakub Wrona, former physiotherapist of Ester Ledecká.

Jakub Wrona is a highly sought-after physiotherapist, noted for having worked with Ester Ledecká, a remarkable Czech athlete known for her exceptional skills in both alpine skiing and snowboarding (Ledecká is a three-time Olympic champion, having famously won gold medals in both disciplines at the 2018 Winter Olympics). Fortunately, he does not keep his knowledge and his extensive practical experience to himself. Instead, he shares them with students of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ostrava as a lecturer. How did he begin his collaboration with Ester Ledecká? And why should prospective physiotherapy students choose the University of Ostrava? You will find out in the following interview.

You were a member of Ester Ledecká's primary physiotherapy team. How did you get the chance to work with one of the biggest sports stars from the Czech Republic?

I was contacted by my former classmate, Jakub Marek, who had worked with Ester for four years and had been her physiotherapist during her golden double at the Olympic Games. He knew that I collaborate with athletes frequently and travel a lot. At the end of the season before last, Ester was looking for a physiotherapist. Initially, it was only supposed to be a two-week substitute role, but I must have made a good impression, as we later agreed on working together for the entire following season.

What did your collaboration with Ester include?

I served as her personal physiotherapist. This meant that I was primarily responsible for her health, particularly her musculoskeletal system, exercises, mobilization, massages, gym sessions, daily routines, and so on. However, over time, I realized that in a team like this, roles don't have strict boundaries, and you help wherever you can. I carried bags with clothes to the slopes, transported skis, filmed training sessions, helped set up and take down gates, made tea, and whatever was needed.

I assume you traveled a lot with her team. Where did you go?

The longest and farthest training camp was in Chile. Other than that, we traveled all over Europe, visiting every major skiing country: Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Norway, and Germany. During summer training, we were in Greece and Austria. But it's not just about where I went but what I saw. The world of elite sports lets you experience each country, city, and sports venue in a completely different way than a regular tourist ever would.

You worked as a physiotherapist for the Olympic champion, taught at the Clinic of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, ran a private practice, and organized various lectures and workshops. How did you manage to balance it all?

When you put it like that, it sounds almost impossible. However, I've been lucky to have incredible and supportive people around me, which is the only reason I somehow managed, though barely. I'd love to name everyone who helped me along the way, but I'd undoubtedly forget someone. The university was very accommodating, from the administration to the scheduling office to the secretarial staff handling the bureaucracy.

I'd also like to add another important role to the list: being a husband and a father. The biggest thanks go to my wife and sons, who were the first ones who had to approve this whole journey.

You studied at a general high school and then at the Faculty of Medicine in Ostrava. Why physiotherapy?

A general high school can leave you with some uncertainty about your future career path. I enjoyed a bit of everything, but I wasn't the type to pursue medicine, engineering, or law. I took my final exams in history and social sciences, but my entrance exams were in biology and physics.

Ultimately, my interest in the human body and my fascination with all kinds of sports won out. At the time, physiotherapy was becoming very popular, and it seemed to meet all my criteria for a future career. Of course, my parents had the most insight into my choices, and I have to admit that their advice turned out to be spot on.

In 2012, you studied at the University of Applied Sciences in Lahti, Finland. This country is often considered an education model. What did your studies there give you, and do you use this experience in your teaching today?

Finnish education pleasantly surprised me with its openness, the communication between students and academics, the independence of students, and the emphasis on individuality. If I had to pick one element that I try to incorporate into my teaching, it would be encouraging communication with students, fostering discussions and not being afraid to make mistakes.

You can always learn theory, but what often lags is the synthesis of knowledge and its application in practice, which is a crucial factor in our field. That's why I push my students to speak, think critically, draw conclusions, and, most importantly, be able to demonstrate their knowledge on real patients.

You studied in Ostrava, Olomouc, and abroad. If someone, reading this interview, is considering studying physiotherapy, why should they choose the Faculty of Medicine in Ostrava?

The physiotherapy program at the University of Ostrava is excellent because it offers students a large amount of practical training. They start by practicing on themselves and their classmates, then expand their skills by working with real patients under the guidance of our academic staff. Finally, they gain hands-on experience in healthcare facilities through several weeks of internships.

Our students develop a broad understanding of various diagnoses and treatment methods and gain practical proficiency in many therapeutic techniques and concepts. I would especially highlight the extensive hands-on experience they acquire and their comprehensive knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and related areas of treatment.

Physiotherapy is currently the most in-demand non-medical study program. You completed your master's degree in Physiotherapy in Olomouc, but many physiotherapists enter practice right after earning their bachelor's degree. Why should they consider continuing their studies?

Aside from the fact that there simply aren't enough spots in the country for every physiotherapist to earn a master's degree, I also don't believe that every physiotherapist necessarily has to be a master's graduate. Time, finances, or personal study preferences all play a role. I know many colleagues with a bachelor's degree who are practically more skilled in their fields than some with a master's. It comes down to a willingness to continue learning and the practical skills you develop.

A master's program is designed to expand your knowledge and competencies in a structured and guided way. Prospective students should research the study plans of different universities to see what their programs focus on and whether they align with their interests.

In some countries, a master's degree is a specific specialization that you can pursue only after three years of practice as a bachelor. That makes you seriously consider where and how you want to invest two years of your personal and professional life.

This year, an incredible milestone was achieved, physiotherapists with a master's degree can now prescribe certain treatments to patients, which was not possible before. This alone could be a strong motivator for obtaining a master's degree.

Updated: 07. 02. 2025