INJURY PREVENTION CALGARY

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INJURY PREVENTION

Injury Prevention Calgary: Programs at SMART

Our injury prevention Calgary programs at SMART Performance Training Centre and Clinic are built for athletes at every stage of development. Whether your athlete is just beginning youth sport, competing at the high school varsity level, or preparing for a U SPORTS or NCAA program, we have a structured, periodized training pathway designed to reduce injury risk and keep athletes on the field. Our coaches do not believe in generic programming. Every athlete is assessed, placed in the right program, and progressed at a pace that builds real, lasting resilience. If your goal is to stay healthy, move better, recover faster, or simply outlast the competition through a full season, SMART is where that work begins.

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Injury Prevention Training Calendar

YEARLY TRAINING PHASES

At SMART Performance Training Centre and Clinic, our injury prevention Calgary programs are designed to develop movement quality, strength, mobility, and physical resilience at every level , from youth athletes to college-bound competitors. Our certified coaches use evidence-informed, periodized training methods tailored to the physical demands of your sport. Whether you are preparing for a season, returning from injury, or working to stay durable through a long year of competition, we have a program built specifically for you.

01

General Preparation Phase
5 Weeks · Nov 17 , Dec 19 · 3x per week (90 min)

Post-season foundation rebuilding. Movement quality, foundational strength, coordination, and general physical preparation in a structured coach-led environment.

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02

Offseason Strength and Prevention
10 Weeks · Jan 5 , Mar 14 · 3x gym sessions plus 1 movement field session per week

Programming intensity increases. Evidence-based injury prevention Calgary training, high-level coaching, strength work, and field movement sessions in a competitive, structured environment , building physical and mental durability.

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03

Continuing Development Phase
Mar 16 , May 29 · 3x gym sessions plus 1 field session per week

For athletes not in spring competition. We continue elevating strength and movement quality while introducing more sport-specific training as athletes prepare for summer camps and tryouts.

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04

Summer Performance Training
College athletes: May 4 , Jul 31 (13 weeks) · High school athletes: Jun 22 , Aug 21 (9 weeks)

Where athletes separate themselves. High training frequency with gym and field work. Significant capacity gains and injury resilience are developed here before the competitive season begins.

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05

Fall In-Season Training
10 Weeks · Sep 5 , Nov 7 · 1x per week (90 min)

Strength maintenance, active injury prevention, and peak performance during the competitive season. Efficient, structured, and designed to complement your sport’s weekly demands without creating fatigue.

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06

College Holiday Training Program
Mid-December , Dec 28 · U Sports and NCAA athletes

For returning college athletes preparing for the new year and offseason. Strength maintenance, conditioning, movement quality, and body preparation for the upcoming training demands ahead.

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INJURY PREVENTION

Serving Calgary and Surrounding Communities

SMART Performance Training Centre and Clinic is located in Calgary, Alberta, and proudly serves athletes from Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, Okotoks, and surrounding communities. As one of Calgary’s dedicated sport performance facilities, we specialize in injury prevention in Calgary for athletes competing in high school leagues, club sports, and post-secondary programs across Alberta and beyond. If you are searching for injury prevention Calgary services, athletic performance coaching near you, or a facility that understands the specific physical demands of sport , you have found it. Come see why athletes across the Calgary area trust SMART to keep them healthy and ready for game day.

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Injury Prevention

PREVENT. PERFORM. STAY HEALTHY.

What separates SMART from everyone else: Movement screening · Periodized programming · Load monitoring · Accountability · Personal development · Evidence-informed methods · High-level experience-based guidance.

🦵 Knee Rehab Calgary

Targeted knee rehab and strength programming for athletes recovering from or working to prevent knee injuries.

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🦴 ACL Rehab Calgary

Structured return-to-sport programming and ACL rehab in Calgary built around movement quality, strength, and safe re-entry to competition. Stay healthy and come back stronger.

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🎯 1-on-1 Performance Coaching

In-person and remote elite coaching. Personalized to your sport, injury history, position, and competition timeline.

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📊 Fitness & Movement Assessment

At SMART we do not guess , we assess. Objective testing identifies your strengths, movement limitations, and a clear training roadmap built around keeping you healthy.

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🧠 Nutrition and Mental Performance

Fuel the machine and train the mind. Nutrition coaching and mental performance programs support long-term athlete health and resilience , coming soon.

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INJURY PREVENTION

Why Injury Prevention Training Matters

Injury prevention Calgary programming is not simply about avoiding pain. It is about building the physical foundation that allows athletes to train harder, compete longer, and recover faster. When movement quality breaks down and muscular imbalances go unchecked, injury becomes a matter of when, not if. At SMART, we treat injury prevention as the cornerstone of every program we design. Athletes who train with us do not just get stronger , they develop the durability, body awareness, and movement patterns that protect them through an entire season. That kind of preparation is what separates athletes who consistently perform from those who spend time on the sideline. Our integrated model means your athlete gets performance coaching and clinical expertise under one roof.

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Prevention

Evidence-Informed. Athlete-Centred.

At SMART, we do not just put athletes through drills and call it training. Every program we design is grounded in evidence-informed principles , built around periodization, movement quality, progressive overload, and athlete monitoring. Before any athlete starts a program, we conduct a thorough movement and performance assessment to identify strengths, compensations, and areas of injury risk. This allows us to build a training plan that is both effective and safe.Our coaching staff blends athletic performance expertise with clinical knowledge from our on-site clinic. That means we understand how the body moves, how it breaks down, and how to keep your athlete on the field. We track training loads, monitor recovery, and adjust programming in real time based on each athlete’s needs and response to training.

Phase-based programming
Assess before you train
Load monitoring
Built into every program
INJURY PREVENTION

Stay on the Field. Train Smart in Calgary.

Sport is physically demanding, and injuries are one of the biggest barriers to an athlete reaching their full potential. At SMART, injury prevention in Calgary is not an afterthought , it is built directly into every program we design. Our clinical team works alongside our performance coaches to identify movement compensations and muscular imbalances before they become serious injuries. Common sport-related injuries we help athletes prevent and recover from include ACL and knee injuries, hamstring and quad strains, ankle sprains, shoulder impingement, and lower back pain. Whether you are coming back from an injury or trying to stay healthy through a long season, our integrated performance and clinical model means you have the right professionals in your corner. Contact us today to get started with injury prevention Calgary programming at SMART.

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FAQ FOR INJURY PREVENTION

Common questions about injury prevention in Calgary and how SMART helps athletes stay healthy.

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Isabella Green

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Lead of Guest Experience

Robin Roelofs

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Certified Personal Trainer

Sarah

Growing up playing squash and competing in equestrian sport, Sarah developed an early appreciation for strength, movement, and performance. These experiences shaped her belief that structured training can build not only physical strength, but also confidence and resilience. Sarah’s coaching approach focuses on creating a supportive and empowering environment where clients feel comfortable challenging themselves and developing new skills. She emphasizes building strong movement foundations and sustainable strength that carries over into everyday life.

She is particularly passionate about working with women and older adults and believes that everyone deserves to feel strong and confident in their body, regardless of age or training experience. Through resistance training, Sarah has seen firsthand how building strength can improve bone health, mobility, and overall resilience while helping clients rediscover confidence in what their bodies are capable of. Her goal is to help clients build the strength and capacity needed to remain active, independent, and engaged in the activities they love for years to come.

Sarah graduated from the University of Alberta in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport and Tourism. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Her additional training includes Pre and Postnatal Coaching Specialist and Pelvis Restoration through the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI), further supporting her work with women and clients looking to improve movement quality, stability, and overall strength.

Performance Coach

Nick Blair

Nick Blair is a Performance Coach at SMART Performance, bringing four years of experience across high-performance coaching environments, driven by a genuine passion for sport science, athlete development, and the craft of coaching. Nick’s coaching experience spans youth to university-level athletes across hockey, soccer, basketball, and more. His journey began at the University of New Brunswick, where he designed and delivered strength and conditioning programs for varsity athletes across multiple sports through the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic.

This experience gave him early exposure to the standards and expectations of high-performance sport. His passion also extends to athlete rehabilitation, and his background as a Student Athletic Therapist Lead for UNB’s varsity basketball and soccer teams further developed his foundation in injury prevention and interdisciplinary collaboration. More recently, he has spent the last two years working with and being mentored by highly skilled practitioners from ORKA Performance,
the UofC Dinos, and XFactory here in Calgary. As a former competitive hockey player himself, Nick brings a firsthand understanding of the demands athletes face, a perspective that shapes the relationships he builds and the authenticity he brings to every coaching interaction.

Nick holds a Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Certified Personal Trainer (CSEP-CPT) designation and recently completed his Master of Applied Kinesiology (MKin) at the University of Calgary, specializing in Applied Exercise Physiology and High Performance Training. He is actively working toward his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification. His coaching philosophy blends evidence-based practice with genuine relationship-building, prioritizing athlete education, long-term development, and the creation of an environment where athletes are motivated to pursue their best.

Performance CoachDirector of Peewee & Bantam Training Programs

Sam Duerr

Sam is currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Calgary and playing receiver for the Calgary Colts in the CJFL. Prior to playing for the Colts Sam played with the Calgary Dinos. He graduated from Ernest manning high school in 2021.

Born and raised in Calgary Sam is looking to give back to all athletes, using successes and past mistakes to help lead the next generation to success of their own.

Growing up Sam was a multi-sport athlete until specializing in football in grade 11. Having experience playing soccer, basketball, volleyball, racquet sports, golf, track and field. Sam has an understanding of the strength and conditioning requirements for many different sports. Mentored by Alex Ogbongbemiga, Sam is consistently looking for new ways to help athletes unlock their full potential physically and mentally.

Sam Duerr offers group training and 1on1 sessions.

Assistant Performance Coach

Tim Duerr

Tim has been part of the SMART PERFORMANCE Training Center & Clinic since 2021, initially as an athlete, at the beginning of his football career with the Ernest Manning Griffins. Tim had the honor of being part of the school’s first-ever Division 1 City Championship team in 2023, which opened doors for him to continue his football journey beyond high school. Tim received a few USPORT offers out of high school but chose to stay in Calgary to play in the CJFL for the Calgary Colts, alongside his brother and SMART PERFORMANCE coach, Sam Duerr. After a season with the Colts, Tim was fortunate to join the University of Calgary Dinos, where hes currently playing while pursuing a degree at the Haskayne School of Business. Tim is excited to get to work to mentor and guide Calgary’s next generation of talented athletes.

Performance Coach

Caelan Chauvin

Caelan is currently pursuing a Business degree at the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University. He plays running back and long snapper for the Calgary Colts after graduating from Ernest Manning High School in 2024, where he was part of the team that made history by winning both the Division 1 city championship and the provincial championship for the first time in school history.

With a lifelong passion for sports, Caelan works with peewee, bantam, and high school athletes, helping them develop the skills and mindset required to compete at the highest level. He also volunteers as a coach with the Calgary Wildcats, giving back to the community that shaped him by providing young athletes with access to high-quality coaching and mentorship.

Having played competitive football, baseball, hockey, and lacrosse, Caelan understands what it takes to succeed in high-performance athletics. Training under Alex Ogbongbemiga since the age of 13, he has developed a deep understanding of strength and conditioning principles, allowing him to create effective training programs that maximize performance.

Caelan offers both group training and one-on-one sessions.

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Andrew Micu

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Registered Massage Therapist

Christine Sharp

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Physiotherapist MScPT, BHPE, Functional Dry Needling

Taylor Stienwand

Taylor is a University of Alberta graduate with a deep-rooted dedication to the art and science of physiotherapy and a passion for helping the members of his community achieve their physical well-being goals. His personal goal is to combine his expertise with a compassionate approach to deliver personalized care to every individual who walks through our doors.

His practice encompasses a broad spectrum of physiotherapy, with a focus on musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and sports injuries. Taylor believes in treating the whole person, addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying root causes to promote lasting health.

Taylor is proud to have been part of the medical teams for some of Calgary’s elite sports organizations. Serving as the trainer for the Calgary Buffalo Hockey Association and the Junior A Mountaineers lacrosse team, he’s had the privilege of working closely with aspiring high-level hockey and lacrosse talents. From injury prevention to rehabilitation, his goal has always been to optimize his patient’s quality of life.

Taylor takes pride in his commitment to providing individualized care with tailored treatment plans to suit your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or aiming to elevate your performance, Taylor is here to guide and support you throughout your journey.

Director of Sports Performance | BKin, MSc, CSCS

Zach Kalthoff

Zach Kalthoff is the Director of Sports Performance at Smart Performance, bringing over 17 years of experience in high-performance sport, strength and conditioning, sport science, and injury rehabilitation. His work is focused on optimizing human movement, reducing injury risk, and improving long-term quality of life through evidence-based training and performance systems.

Zach’s career spans elite competition and leadership roles at the highest levels of sport. He competed professionally and at the national-team level in soccer with Southampton, Kaiserslautern, and Canada Soccer, and later led physical performance and sport science programs for multiple national teams. Notably, he served as Sport Science Manager for Canada’s Women’s Olympic Gold Medal soccer team at the Tokyo 2021 Games and as Strength & Conditioning Lead for Canada’s Silver Medal rowing team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He also previously held the role of Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at McMaster University, overseeing volleyball, basketball, and soccer programs, including a USPORT National Championship with the women’s basketball team.

More recently, Zach has specialized in developing data-driven systems to assess strength, power, and movement asymmetries using VALD technology. He is a strong advocate for objective performance data to guide programming and provide real-time feedback, allowing for a deeper understanding of each athlete’s individual needs.

A Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Zach holds a Master of Science in Sport Science and Strength & Conditioning and a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia. His approach blends extensive real-world experience with evidence-based practice, emphasizing collaboration, trust, and the development of empowered, independent athletes.

Clinical Co-Director | Senior Physiotherapist | MSc.PT, BSc. Kin, Advanced Dry Needling

Wesley Chau

When you step into my clinic, you’re not just getting physiotherapy—you’re embarking on a personalized journey toward better movement, health, and performance. I combine my extensive experience in biomechanics and sports rehabilitation to craft a treatment plan tailored to your needs, whether you’re recovering from a major surgery or simply aiming to move without pain.

From our very first session, I take the time to understand your unique situation. I carefully assess your movement patterns, listen to your history, and explain the “why” behind your pain or injury. With my background as a published biomechanics researcher, you’ll receive the latest evidence-based treatment, not just a one-size-fits-all approach. Clear communication is key for me—I want to ensure that you fully understand what’s happening with your body so you can actively participate in your recovery.

For athletes recovering from complex surgeries, like ACL reconstructions or Achilles tendon repairs, I bring my experience working with elite and youth-level athletes into every session. Whether you’re aiming to return to the football field, hockey rink, or simply live pain-free, you can trust my approach. I’ve helped many individuals overcome injuries where traditional rehab fell short, often providing second opinions that make all the difference in their recovery.

My approach is hands-on. I use manual therapy and functional dry-needling to target areas of discomfort or dysfunction. I also emphasize activity-specific exercises that align with your goals—whether that’s getting back into competition or simply enjoying your daily life without limitations. Every exercise I prescribe is customized to ensure it’s right for your body and objectives, not just a routine to follow.

More than just a therapist, I see myself as a coach. I guide you through the rehabilitation process, educating you on the mechanics of your injury and how to prevent future setbacks. My ultimate goal is to empower you to take control of your own health, so you can move confidently and get back to doing what you love—whether that’s playing sports, running, or enjoying time with your family.

With my thoughtful, evidence-driven approach and passion for optimizing human movement, you’ll feel equipped to tackle any physical challenge ahead of you.

Clinical Co-Director | Senior Physiotherapist | MScPT, BCR, Advanced Dry Needling

Carly Spaulding

Growing up in contact sports, I spent countless hours on rugby and lacrosse fields, and almost as many hours in rehabilitation. After missing portions of seasons and receiving poor rehabilitation advice, I became frustrated. It was then that I developed a deep passion for understanding the human body and how to help others do the same. I have learned firsthand the importance of optimizing movement to reduce injury risk and believe profoundly that injury is an opportunity to enhance performance and come back stronger than ever.

As a born-and-raised Calgarian, my academic journey started at the University of Calgary, where I earned a Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation in 2016. Eager to deepen my knowledge, I completed my Master’s degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta in 2019. I put a pause on my pursuit of a Diploma of Advanced Manual and Manipulative Therapy in the fall of 2023 to welcome my daughter, Sidalee.

In my practice, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of individuals, from youth athletes and weekend warriors to professional athletes in the CFL, NLL, and EHL. I’m especially passionate about ACL rehabilitation and enjoy the challenges and complexities this injury brings. I’m also deeply invested in the performance and injury risk mitigation of female athletes. I believe that education and empowerment about their own physiology is key to helping female athletes thrive in their sports and beyond.

As a certification IMS practitioner, I incorporate needling techniques alongside other manual therapy to complement a movement-based approach to recovery and performance. All clients receive comprehensive education on their injury and a detailed pathway towards recovery.

When I’m not in the clinic, I’m spending time with my partner Wes, our daughter, and our two dogs, sharing our love for movement and staying active together. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, seeking to enhance your athletic performance, or looking to maintain your health, I’m here to guide you through every step of the journey.

Owner | Coaching Director | CSCS, BA ECON, RMT.

Alex Ogbongbemiga

Prior to establishing SMART PERFORMANCE Training Center & Clinic, Alex was selected 36th overall in the 2016 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Alex played 2 years in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos and the BC Lions.Alex mentored local athletes Chuba Hubbard, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Albert Reese through their high school recruiting process leading to their signing at DIV 1 Oklahoma State and Mississippi State. Alex enjoys sharing his passion of coaching with young athletes, as he believes they are the future. Alex enjoys sharing the mistakes he made during his sports career to young athletes to ensure they don’t make the same. Alex has been fortunate to be coached by 1998 Denver Broncos Superbowl Champion Allen Aldridge, 3-time Vanier cup champion Blake Nill, former Philadelphia Eagles Wide receiver coach Carson Walch, and Strength and condition coach David Swagar. Heavily influenced by his past coaches, Alex bases his coaching philosophy on the lessons he learned through his time under them.

“It is a privilege to play sports, appreciate every minute of it and know that there are millions of people who wish to be in your shoes. Be Disciplined, Do your job!”

Alex graduated from the University of Calgary in 2015 with his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, completed his NSCA CSCS (2020) and is Registered Massage Therapist (2021)

Football Career – George Bush High School Houston Texas 2006-2010 | University of Houston Cougars 2010-2011 | University of Calgary Dinos 2011-2013 | Calgary Colts 2015 | Saskatchewan Roughriders 2016 | Edmonton Eskimos 2017-2018 BC Lions 2017-2018