Alpine Ontario offers two levels of fitness programs - the FITS program for the Ontario Development and Ontario Ski Team and the Fitness Testing program for racers ages 6+. Both programs are managed by the AOA Fitness Director Dr. Thomas Lam, BPhe, DC, CSCS, ART, President of FITS. Please scroll down for information on the spring and fall Fitness Testing.

To contact Dr. Lam directly 416.628.4333. To visit the FITS centre www.fitstoronto.com

Dr. Thomas Lam has worked with the Ontario Ski Team and Development Team for the past three years. His thoughts on working with alpine skiers.

"I’m very excited with this opportunity because I strongly believe we can greatly improve the safety and race performances of our athletes. I’m confident because the work that we’re pioneering with movement screening and movement development is reflective of what is going on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, and our work is becoming recognized around the country. I’m proud to say it is a world leading initiative, where our hope is to build the best Alpine Program.

To accomplish a portion of this goal we’re breathing new life into Fitness Testing. During Fall AOA Fitness Testing we’ve added two movement screens and we intend to several others to Spring Testing. The results from Fall Fitness Testing are quite shocking, but the impact of improving these movements is huge – see the report on the movement screen.  Not only will we reduce injury, but we will also improve race performance.

The motivation for this change stems from my research, where I investigate how movement dysfunctions are linked to injuries and performance. The source of my research is simple. I’ve always wanted to help Canadian athletes succeed on the world stage. This was born from my time as an athlete, where I searched for methods to improve my performance through training to present day where I’m a Chiropractor and Athletic Development Specialist running my own high performance training facility and sports medicine clinic – called FITS.

After graduating (BPhe U of T and Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College) I went directly into private practice until I had an opportunity in 2007 to open FITS. It is amazing because I am able to help prevent injuries, treat injuries and develop young talented athletes as my career. During my years (over a decade) I’ve worked with athletes from a wide range of sports and levels from grass-roots to Professional and Olympic athletes. I’ve had the honour of interning around the world (Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the USA), where many great practitioners have contributing to my knowledge and more important to me as a person.

Now I get to start another initiative where we can advance our knowledge about movement and how it impacts injury risk and performance. Alpine Ontario is without question leading this initiative and I’m proud to be a part.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned there are many new and exciting initiatives planned.