Functional Health Assessments...

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A handgrip strength test is an important screening tool in assessing a person’s overall health. Handgrip strength is measured using a hand-held device called a dynamometer, which measures force. 

Low handgrip strength is correlated with low bone mineral density, frailty and is a strong indicator for osteoporosis in post menopausal women.

According to the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, handgrip strength is a predictor of mortality, disability and length of hospital stays.

We encourage women to maintain a handgrip strength of no less than 25 kg. 

 Total energy expenditure encompasses all the energy your body uses in a 24-hour period; resting metabolic rate, the thermic effect of food, and energy used during physical activity.  

We measure total energy expenditure for a full week using doubly labeled water; this test involves tracking the elimination of stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen in urine.  

The use of doubly labeled water is considered the gold standard for measuring total energy expenditure.  It is in a non-invasive, long-term assessment that occurs in a natural setting. 

While metabolic carts area able to measure energy expenditure in a controlled environment, they do not reflect the energy expenditure of our daily living conditions.

Submaximal oxygen uptake step tests provide a safe, practical and valid means of assessing VO2 max in a non-exhaustive manner.

VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body is capable of using during high level exercise; it is an excellent predictor of health and longevity. 

Aging and chronic disease are associated with a progressive decline in VO2 max.  It is therefore important to have it measured and ensure that we are maintaining a VO2 max of no less than 30.0 mL/kg/min.

Please contact us if you would like to schedule an Åstrand-Ryhming Submaximal Oxygen Uptake Step Test.

We use InBody Technology to analyze Body Composition. InBody is an award-winning technology that has been found to be 98% as accurate as a DEXA Scan & has been used in over 2,500 research studies.

The InBody Medical Grade Scan will determine your body fat percentage, muscle mass, segmental lean mass, as well as your estimated basal metabolic rate.  

 Muscle quality is a measure of our strength and power relative to our muscle mass. Muscle quality is important for assessing muscle health.

By addressing our metabolic risk factors, we reduce our chances of developing metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, cancer and dementia.

After assessing your cardiometabolic risk factors, we strive to educate and provide you with the appropriate tools and guidance to take control of your metabolic health.

Metabolic Health

Fasting Glucose

Blood Pressure

Waist Circumference

Triglyceride-to-HDL Ratio

Body Composition

Submaximal Oxygen Uptake

Grip Strength

Functional strength standards include seven loaded movement patterns that are based on consultations with elite strength coaches from around the world. 

Movement Patterns: Loaded Carry, Hip Hinge, Lunge, Horizontal Push, Horizontal Pull, Vertical Push & Vertical Pull.

Functional strength standards are based on a percentage of body weight and provide a good understanding of our overall strength, they also help to expose muscle weaknesses and imbalances.  Understanding our strength levels also provides us with an objective baseline comparison for future tests and allows us to set and work toward realistic strength goals.

 The most important test that we can do to determine our risk of cardiovascular disease is to have a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan completed. The CAC scan assesses the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries and helps to determine our risk of heart disease and heart attack. While the scan is useful in assessing risk, it doesn't determine the cause of heart disease.

In Alberta, you can get a private coronary calcium (CAC) scan at facilities like Mayfair Diagnostics and Canada Diagnostic Centres, however, these scans are not covered by Alberta Health Care and require a private payment. 

Cost: $299 - $495 

   A Bone Densitometry, also known as DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) or BMD (Bone Mineral Density) scan, is a specialized x-ray that measures bone mass and predicts fracture risk. It is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis.  

If you are concerned about your Bone Density, I would suggest asking your physician to refer you for a DEXA Scan.  It is typical for physicians to wait until a woman turns 65 before doing a DEXA Scan.  The problem with waiting, is women then do not know what their baseline bone density is. Ask your physician for a baseline DEXA Scan.  

Covered by Alberta Health Care