What is Performance Testing?

Performance Testing provides an objective evaluation of lower body function, recovery, and overall performance. Utilizing force plates and isometric assessments, it quantifies strength, balance, power, and asymmetries between limbs, enabling rehabilitation teams to make informed decisions regarding recovery strategies. Results are benchmarked against normative data for individuals of similar age and sex, offering a clear perspective on relative performance levels. Performance Testing can be conducted periodically to monitor progress and confirm that recovery is proceeding safely toward established goals. This assessment is particularly beneficial during the mid- to late stages of rehabilitation as individuals prepare for more advanced activities or a return to sport.

Who is Performance Testing Right For?

If You’ve Had Surgery

Performance testing is helpful if you are in middle to end stage rehabilitation from:

  • Knee surgery (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL, or meniscus repairs)
  • Tendon repair (ex: Achilles)
  • Hip or ankle surgery

If You Have a Lower-Body Injury

You may benefit from testing if you have:

  • Sprain or ligament injuries of the ankle, knee or hip (ex: ATFL or ACL)
  • Patellar instability or dislocations
  • Meniscus or labral tears
  • Tendon injuries or strains (Achilles, patellar, hamstring, quadriceps)
Conditions We Treat At Our Hand Therapy Clinic
Rise Above

We Offer Tailored, Patient-Centric Plans to Help Individuals Rise Above Their Injuries

Accessing the Clinic

Book an Appointment

Ask your Group23 Practitioner for a referral. Appointments are available at the WinSport location and can be booked in-person or over the phone at 403-284-4040.

Prepare For the Appointment

Please arrive at Group23 – WinSport with:

  • Athletic footwear (running shoes)
  • Shorts, so your legs can move freely
  • Any braces or supports you normally train with
  • A water bottle
  • Complete your consent as well as pre/post appointment questionnaires online or in person at the front reception

Please check in at reception, where you will be guided to the gym area designated for testing. An athletic therapist will conduct your session; they are qualified to ensure your safety throughout all aspects of the performance assessment and to provide a comprehensive interpretation of your results.

During Your Appointment

  1. Warm-Up
    You begin with a gentle warmup to prepare your muscles. This step ensures you can perform safely and maintain consistency. The warmup might involve easy cycling, walking on a treadmill, dynamic mobility drills, or simple versions of the movements you’ll do later in the test.
  2. Practice Trials
    Prior to starting the actual test, your athletic therapist will guide you through practice repetitions of each movement, so you feel comfortable. These practice reps help ensure you understand the technique and can perform each movement confidently.

    These may include:
    • Countermovement jumps (CMJ)
    • Bullet squats
    • Squat jumps
    • Drop jumps
    • Single leg hops
    • Jump variations
    • Isometric strength positions (like pushing against a bar without moving)
  3. The Testing Session
    Your athletic therapist will guide you through the full testing series, which may include:
    • Isometric strength testing (e.g., knee flexion and extension)
    • Force plate testing, such as:
      • Countermovement jump (CMJ)
      • Bullet squat
      • Squat jump
      • Drop jump
      • Single leg jumps or hops
    • Balance and landing assessments

    A full session typically lasts 45–60 minutes.

After Your Appointment

Once the testing is done, you’ll receive:
  1. A comprehensive performance report
  2. Graphs and objective measurements showing:
    • Strength
    • Power
    • Balance
    • Left-to-right asymmetries
  3. A summary of the findings
  4. Personalized rehabilitation recommendations based on the results
Your report is also shared with your sports medicine doctor, physiotherapist, or other healthcare providers so your entire care team can use the information to support your recovery. Performance Testing may be done multiple times during your rehabilitation to monitor your progress and observe improvements in strength, balance, and power—usually at intervals of 6 to 12 weeks.

Stacey, Keri-Ann, Mark, and Stephen are experts in hand and wrist therapy. They are dedicated to providing the best care and physiotherapy services to help you return to an active lifestyle. Contact us, and our specialists will be happy to support you.

Stacey J. Will

Physiotherapy Lead/Certified Hand Therapist
BscPT, CHT

Keri-Ann Cowan

Physiotherapist

Mark Metcalf

Physiotherapist
BScKin, MScPT, FCAMPT, CMAP

Stephen Payne

Physiotherapist
MScPT, MSc, BKin

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Certified Athletic Therapist (CAT(C))?

Certified Athletic Therapists expertise is in managing injuries to the musculoskeletal system, which encompasses muscles, bones, and joints. Their scope includes injury prevention, assessment, emergency and acute care, rehabilitation, and re-conditioning. For additional information, please visit the Canadian Athletic Therapist Association website: https://athletictherapy.org/public/whatisAT

When you reach a point in your rehabilitation following injury or surgery that allows for dynamic movement.

Although an official referral isn’t necessary, testing at Group23 requires you to be one of our patients and to have received a recommendation from your practitioner—whether that’s a physician, physiotherapist, athletic therapist, naturopathic doctor, or massage therapist. This ensures you’re ready and safe enough in your recovery to participate in the testing.

The fee for testing, including the report, is $250.00.
The testing may be eligible for coverage under Athletic Therapy or a Health Spending Account. Please confirm with your insurance provider.
Available exclusively at our WinSport location.
Stacey J. Will

Physiotherapy Lead/Certified Hand Therapist
BscPT, CHT

**Oct 15/25: Stacey Will is currently offline for patient bookings for the next few months due to her leadership role as Team Lead at Group23. She has been actively mentoring the other Hand Therapists at Group23 for several years. If you’ve been referred specifically to Stacey, please feel confident booking with any of our other skilled Hand Therapists. Stacey remains fully available to support them as needed. If you are a recent patient of Stacey’s, please call our clinic to rebook—we’ll ensure your care continues seamlessly.

 

Stacey holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy with Distinction from the University of Alberta (1993). After a few years of general orthopedic practice, she became more interested in hands and their complex healing pattern and so joined the Foothills Hospital Hand Clinic team. She obtained her designation as a Certified Hand Therapist in 1998 and was the second therapist in Calgary to do so. Stacey is still one of very few CHTs in private practice in Alberta and her practice is focused on treating only injuries to the wrist and hand. She sees all types of patients including athletic injuries, arthritis management, post-trauma, and repetitive strain injury. Stacey’s treatment plan may include splinting when appropriate (custom or off the shelf), and patient education and a home program are always the foundation of care.


Stacey is an active mentor to physiotherapists wanting to learn more about treating hands and has set up the Hand Therapy team here at Group23. She is also a resource of other therapists in the Calgary area and enjoys teaching. She has worked closely with many Calgary hand surgeons over the years and networks with other health professionals when necessary to provide the best care possible for each client.

Stacey is a native Calgarian and bilingual graduate of Western Canada High School. Her former competitive hockey player and figure skater are now flown from the nest, so she is transitioning from her life of being a busy rink mom!

Keri-Ann Cowan

Physiotherapist

Keri-Ann holds a Master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of Saskatchewan. She has skillfully managed an extensive and diverse caseload, catering to individuals ranging from toddlers to geriatrics. Drawing inspiration from a personal journey of overcoming a hand injury, she passionately pursues expertise in hand therapy, driven by a genuine understanding of the challenges faced by patients.

Committed to providing empathetic and personalized care, she is dedicated to delving deeper into the specialized field of hand therapy. With advanced qualifications, including Level 2 Functional Dry Needling, she continuously strives to enhance skills and knowledge for the benefit of those seeking treatment.

Beyond the clinic, Keri-Ann extends this compassionate approach to life. An accomplished competitive swimmer, she brings a wealth of experience from this highly competitive swimming background. This background not only honed her discipline but also instilled valuable leadership skills and the ability to thrive as a team player. As an avid motorcycle enthusiast, she finds joy in the open road and cherishes time spent outdoors, engaging in activities like fishing and boating. These pursuits reflect a holistic perspective on health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of a supportive and empathetic approach to healthcare.

Proudly born and raised Calgarian, she brings a deep connection to the community, recognizing the unique needs of fellow Calgarians. She looks forward to extending a warm and empathetic hand to those seeking exceptional care and support in their health journey.
Mark Metcalf

Physiotherapist
BScKin, MScPT, FCAMPT, CMAP

A native of central Alberta, Mark graduated from the University of Calgary with an undergraduate in Kinesiology. After working as a kinesiologist for several years, Mark attended McMaster University and attained a Masters in Physiotherapy in 2003. Since graduating, Mark has completed his Certificate in Medical Acupuncture from the University of Alberta in 2005, his Advanced Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in 2010, and he completed the Certified Hand Therapist designation in 2025. In addition to that Mark has completed post graduate courses in Musculoskeletal Diagnostic Imaging, Conservative Management for Whiplash Associated Disorder, Evidence Based Practice in Manual Therapy, and Vestibular Rehabilitation. He is registered with the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA) and is on the spinal manipulation, diagnostic imaging, and dry needling rosters.

 

Mark is involved in educating other physiotherapists through both individual mentorship as well as formaleducation as a credentialled instructor with the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

 

Mark’s primary focus at this time is helping patients manage their upper extremity or spine related conditions. Mark also has extensive experience working along sideorthopaedic surgeons, physiatrists, sports medicine physicians, and family physicians assisting in developing conservative treatment plans and the use of advanced medical imaging or diagnostic and treatment injection procedures. He also enjoys treating musicians, and recreational and competitive athletes to help them achieve their highest level of function.

 

When Mark is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, or spending time in the backcountry.

Stephen Payne

Physiotherapist
MScPT, MSc, BKin

Stephen graduated with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Western Ontario. Prior to his time at Western, he earned a Bachelors of Kinesiology as well as a Masters of Science from Jacksonville State University in Alabama.

Stephen’s passion for physiotherapy began after managing multiple injuries throughout his experience competing in sport. His focus was on cross country/track & field where he most recently competed for Jacksonville State University in the NCAA where he had earned a scholarship. Stephen enjoys working with a vast variety of clientele from elite athletes to those trying to get back to their activities of daily living. He develops an active treatment plan that is evidenced-based which helps to best facilitate the client’s rehabilitation journey.

While he enjoys treating a large variety of injuries and conditions, Stephen has a special interest in the hand and wrist and is currently working towards his Certified Hand Therapist designation.

Stephen has taken his passion for sport and shifted his focus to help support athletes in their pursuit of excellence. When he is not in the clinic, he is often working with various teams and providing medical coverage at sporting events. This experience come from working with numerous men’s and women’s hockey programs as well as providing medical coverage at numerous National and World Championships. Stephen is currently one of the physiotherapists supporting the Canadian National Luge Team throughout their world cup season.
Shea Quilichini

Physiotherapist
BSc, MScPT, CGIMS

Born and raised in Calgary, Shea’s interest in physiotherapy began after completing his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. After working for several years as a kinesiologist, he went on to earn his Master’s in Physiotherapy from McMaster University.
 
Since graduating, Shea has gained clinical experience in sport medicine and orthopaedic settings, including the McMaster Sport Medicine Clinic, the University of Calgary, and a specialized hip and hockey clinic in Oakville. He has completed his Certificate in Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (GunnIMS) through the University of British Columbia and his Intermediate Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy through the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Shea is registered with the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta and is on both the spinal manipulation and dry needling rosters.
 
Shea treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, with a special focus on low back, hip, knee, neck and nerve pain.  His approach combines hands-on therapy, targeted exercise, and practical education to help patients recover and build lasting resilience. Each treatment plan is individualized, whether the goal is managing a new injury or working through persistent pain.  As a musician himself, Shea also enjoys working with musicians, as well as recreational and competitive athletes, helping them return to their highest level of function with confidence.
 
Outside the clinic, Shea enjoys exploring the Rockies and spending time in the backcountry, staying active year-round. He values time with friends and family,  trying new restaurants around the city, and almost always has a creative project underway – feel free to ask him what he’s building next!
Claire Froese

Physiotherapist
MScPT

Claire graduated with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta in Edmonton in 2020. 

 

Much of Claire’s passion for, and interest in, the field of physiotherapy and rehabilitation came from her own personal journey as an athlete in sport. She played soccer at a high level throughout her junior high and high school years and then went on to play CIS university level soccer as well. During those years she was inspired by the difference that a number of physiotherapists and athletic therapists made in her own life, both personally and from a rehabilitation perspective, and this encouraged her to ultimately pursue her own career in Physiotherapy.  

 

Claire is passionate about partnering with and motivating people to reach their highest potential, regardless of age, current activity level or ability. She wants to empower you to move better and feel stronger in your every day life and help you achieve your goals; whether that be returning to play as an athlete or someone looking to get back to their activities of daily living. Claire likes to incorporate education, manual therapy techniques and strength and conditioning principles into her practice in order to treat a variety of different injuries and conditions. 

 

In her free time, Claire can be found spending time with her family and friends. She loves the outdoors and specifically enjoys road biking, running and walking her dog.