Wood Forum

Join us on Saturday, November 8, at the Wood Forum 2025, Strength in Science: Exercise for Bone and Joint Health. We'll unlock the science behind exercise and its impact on bone and joint health. Step behind the lab doors with Calgary’s top researchers from the McCaig Institute as they share their groundbreaking studies just for you. Whether you're an avid fitness enthusiast or simply eager to enhance your health, this event offers a rare chance to gain insights directly from the experts.

Midlife Momentum: The Power of Strength Training Through the Menopausal Transition

Dr. Leigh Gabel, PhD

Bone loss during menopause can sneak up on us, but it doesn’t have to. Strength training is one of the most effective ways to protect bone density, maintain mobility, and stay strong through midlife and beyond. Menopause is a natural transition, and with the right tools, we can move through it with power and resilience.

Dr. Leigh Gabel is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Her research explores how physical activity and exercise influence musculoskeletal health across the lifespan, with a focus on critical periods of bone development and loss, such as adolescence and menopause. Using advanced medical imaging, she aims to understand how movement can enhance bone accrual and prevent bone decline.

Strong Today, Independent Tomorrow: Power for Life, at Every Age

Dr. Matt Jordan, PhD, CSCS

Our independence depends largely on healthy muscles—but aging and injury can quietly chip away at that. The good news? Muscle isn’t passive; it responds to stress at any age. While we often think of training as building size or strength, lessons from working with athletes show that power—the ability to move quickly and forcefully—matters too. It helps Olympians win medals and older adults cross the street safely. Science shows we can train power into our 90s. It’s never too late to start—the best time is now.

Dr. Matt Jordan is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, where he co-leads the Integrative Neuromuscular Sport Performance Lab. His research focuses on neuromuscular adaptations to strength training and strategies to prevent repeat traumatic knee injuries. With experience consulting across six Olympic Winter Games and major professional leagues, he bridges science and practice to advance athlete health and performance.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Returning to Activity After Injury or Surgery

Dr. Laurie Hiemstra, MD, PhD

You love to be active, and you thrive on movement. But when an injury that requires surgery interrupts that, it can feel like everything changes in an instant. Recovery after an injury to your bones and joints is rarely a straight path. Push too hard, and you might slow healing. Take it too easy, and you may miss the chance to regain full strength. Our research is helping people find that “sweet spot”—the right balance—to return safely and confidently to the activities they enjoy. Make this injury your last one by taking a smart, intentional approach to returning to sport and activity.

Dr. Laurie Hiemstra is a clinical professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary and an orthopaedic surgeon at Banff Sport Medicine specializing in sport medicine knee ligament injuries. Her research focuses on ACL reconstruction, patellofemoral instability, and strategies to prevent secondary injury and improve surgical outcomes. She is also a leader in advancing gender diversity and inclusion in orthopaedics through international collaborations and organizations.

Why (and How) You Need to Exercise… Even If You Have Sore Joints or Arthritis

Dr. Lauren Beaupre, PhD

We often want to slow down or stop our activities to manage sore joints related to arthritis. But exercise is even more important when you have arthritis. Strong muscles support sore joints and allow you to do more with less pain. Understanding and managing your pain means that you can still exercise and stay active and engaged in your preferred activities. Don’t let arthritis stop you from living your best life.

Dr. Lauren Beaupre is a professor and the Dr. David Magee Endowed Chair in Musculoskeletal Research in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta, with a joint appointment in Orthopaedic Surgery. Her research focuses on outcomes and health services for people living with arthritis or recovering from joint replacement, with a particular emphasis on improving access to musculoskeletal care for rural populations through virtual rehabilitation.

Wood Forum History

The Wood Forum is supported through the Wood Joint Research Fund which honours the memories of Dr. John and Mrs. Christena Wood. The forums were designed to enhance public awareness of the causes, consequences and prevention of joint injury and disease, and to provide an opportunity to discuss the latest research findings with leaders in the field. The Wood Research Fund continues this legacy.