Come to MacEwan Hall on Saturday, November 8, for the Wood Forum 2025 – Strength in Science: Exercise for Bone and Joint Health.
The Wood Forum is a unique and FREE learning opportunity aimed at shedding light on the latest advances in research of the causes, consequences, and prevention of joint injury and disease.
Attendees will hear from four speakers in short TEDx-style talks, each coached by Rahim Sajan, co-founder of TEDxCalgary followed by an open Q&A.
Enjoy some refreshments on us and explore our resource fair, where you can meet our partners and discover community resources dedicated to health and well-being.
Together we’ll unlock the science behind exercise and its impact on bone and joint health. We’ll step behind the lab doors with Calgary’s top researchers from the McCaig Institute as they share their fascinating studies just for you. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or simply eager to improve your day-to-day health, this event offers a rare chance to gain insights directly from the experts. This year’s theme, Strength in Science: Exercise for Bone and Joint Health, invites you to explore a range of topics with us.
These include the role of strength training in preventing muscle and bone loss during peri- and early post-menopause, enhancing muscle health at any age, managing exercise when experiencing joint pain due to arthritis, returning to activity after injury, and strategies for injury prevention.
Expert Lineup of Presenters:
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, assistant professor in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, studies how movement shapes bone health from youth to menopause. Using advanced imaging, her research reveals how physical activity strengthens bones and helps prevent decline across life’s stages.
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, assistant professor in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, studies how strength training and rehab shape neuromuscular performance. A consultant across six Olympic Games, he bridges science and sport to prevent injury and elevate athlete 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, clinical professor at the University of Calgary and orthopaedic surgeon at Banff Sport Medicine, specializes in knee ligament injuries. Her research advances ACL reconstruction, injury prevention, and surgical outcomes, while championing gender diversity in orthopaedics worldwide.
Why (and How) You Need to Exercise… Even If You Have Sore Joints or Arthritis
Dr. Lauren Beaupre, PT, 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. We’ve learned that doing the right exercises the right way means that you can stay active and engaged in your preferred activities. Don’t let arthritis stop you from living your best life.
Dr. Lauren Beaupre, professor and Dr. David Magee Endowed Chair at the University of Alberta, researches how to improve recovery and access to care for people with arthritis or joint replacements, with a focus on virtual rehab for rural communities.
Lisa Bowes, Emcee
A pioneer in Canadian sports broadcasting, Lisa Bowes is an award-winning journalist and media consultant based in Calgary, Alberta. A Physical Education graduate from Western University, she is a passionate advocate for youth physical activity and reading literacy. Following the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, where she covered women’s hockey, Lisa began work on the best selling “Lucy Tries Sports” book series which encourages children to be active and persevere.
In Person:
9 AM Doors Open
9 AM Resource Fair Opens
9:30 AM Speaker Presentations
11:15 AM Q & A and Speaker Panel
12 PM Program Ends
12:15 PM Resource Fair Closes
