person undergoing rehab program

Joint Effort and GLA: D

Joint Effort
For Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis

GLA: D (Hip and Knee)
Good Life with osteoArthritis : Denmark 

GLA: D (Back)
Persistent Lower Back Pain 

Registering for JointEffort:

Call 403.220.8814 or email smithe@ucalgary.ca to obtain a registration package.

The JointEffort registration package and individualized program design MUST be completed prior to the first class. A physician’s consent may be required to participate in JointEffort.

See below to register.

Registering for GLA:D®

Please complete all portions of the registration form soon after your registration and submit it to smithe@ucalgary.ca at least one week prior to the start of class. Please complete the online waiver prior to your arrival to the first class.

See below to register.

What is JointEffort?

It's for healthier hip and knee joints! The University of Calgary’s JointEffort program is a 6-week exercise program for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. JointEffort is ideal for people who don’t qualify for surgery, need to prepare for surgery or have had a joint replacement. 

JointEffort patient places foot on fitness ball
JointEffort participant works on her knee osteoarthritis

Each 6-week Joint Effort program includes:

Group workouts

Participate in 11 supervised group exercise sessions throughout the six weeks.

Nutrition

Attend a one-hour group nutrition session with the University's team of health and joint experts. 


knee joint inflammed
Hip joint inflamed

GLA:D® Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (Hip/Knee)

GLA:D® is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms. Facilities around the world collect data from GLA:D® patients to contribute to greater research and discoveries into managing the symptoms and pain of osteoarthritis. This program is increasingly recommended by doctors to help patients with those symptoms.

Classes will run twice a week for one hour over 7 weeks. Exercise sessions are a circuit-based program of neuromuscular training. Research from GLA:D® shows participants report less pain, reduced use of pain killers, fewer individuals on sick leave, and the ability to lead a more physically active lifestyle. 

Each 7-week GLA:D® (Hip/Knee) program includes:

Education component

Attend two education sessions where you'll learn about osteoarthritis, its risk factors, the positive impact of exercise, and how to self-manage your osteoarthritis symptoms.

Group exercise

Participate in 12 one-hour neuromuscular workout sessions where you will build muscular strength through functional exercises, and learn how to apply these movements to everyday activities.

Data research

You will have the opportunity for data collection and quality monitoring. Measures are taken at your initial visit, three months and 12 months. Contributing this data to the research helps GLA:D® monitor how the program is working for participants to help improve the overall program.


lower back pain highlight

GLA:D (Back)

Over 9 weeks we will guide you through biweekly education and exercise sessions aimed at helping you manage your low back pain and improve your day to day!   An initial assessment and screening must be completed by UCalgary GLA: D ® Back staff  prior to being admitted to the program.   

Contact the program coordinator for more information: 

Emma Smith – joint@ucalgary.ca or call 403.220.8814

Why participate in the 9-week GLA:D Back program

Small Groups

Each program is provided in small groups of 6-10 participants. 

Multiple Sessions

There will be two session per week, and each session is 1 hour. The first two sessions (week 1) are education-based, and weeks 2-9 are exercise-based. 


JointEffort Programs

Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis

For healthier hip and knee joints! The University of Calgary’s JointEffort program is a 6-week exercise program for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. JointEffort is ideal for people who don’t qualify for surgery, need to prepare for surgery or have had a joint replacement. Get a personalized program to strengthen your affected joints.

Runs twice a week in one of these time blocks:
Mon/Weds  |  7–8 p.m.
Tue/Thur  |  12:15 –1:15 p.m.
Tue/Thur  |  5:30–6:30 pm

Continue to work on your fitness after you’ve completed the initial JointEffort program. These effective once-a-week sessions will continue your progress with supervision.

Prerequisite: JointEffort 6-week initial program
Course includes an access pass to Fitness Centre for the duration of the session.

Runs once a week in one of these time blocks:
Mon or Wed |  7–8 p.m.
Tue or Thurs  |  12:15–1:15 p.m.
Tue or Thurs  |  5:30–6:30 p.m.

This training package provides 1.5, 3, 5, 10, or 20 hours of personal training sessions. The client will receive one-on-one training time with a certified instructor. All programs are specifically designed to meet the individual's goals, with elements of strength training, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, balance and coordination.

The Joint Effort pass program is reserved for individuals that do not require assistance with their exercise program. The pass program allows individuals to access the UCalgary Fitness Centre on their own, outside of program time.

In order to register in this program you must have taken at least one session of JointEffort and must speak to the coordinator prior to registering for the first time.

GLA:D Programs

  • Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis
  • Lower Back Pain

GLA: D is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms. This program includes two education sessions, 12 neuromuscular exercise sessions (60 minutes each) and the opportunity for data collection and quality monitoring (measures taken at initial visit, upon completion of the program and 12 months). Classes will run twice a week for one hour over 7 weeks.

Runs twice a week at these times:
Mon/Wed  | 1:15–2:15pm