Lora Giangregorio

Research interests

The aim of our research team is to reduce the burden of osteoporotic fractures. We use medical imaging technologies to explore bone and muscle responses to activity or neurologic impairment, and evaluate new methods for image analysis. We conduct epidemiologic studies to inform fracture risk assessment algorithms. We conduct clinical trials to investigate the effects of exercise interventions for reducing fracture risk in high risk individuals. We lead knowledge dissemination and translation activities, and implementation studies to move research on exercise for older adults into practice. For example, our research team has worked with Osteoporosis Canada to develop BoneFit, a two-day workshop for physiotherapists and kinesiologists on appropriate assessment and exercise prescription for individuals with osteoporosis. We also led the development of the Too Fit To Fracture Exercise and Physical Activity Recommendations for Individuals with Osteoporosis.

Graduate supervision and student opportunities

• Research volunteer
• Undergraduate thesis
• MSc thesis
• Coursework interns
• PhD thesis
• Postdoctoral trainee

Graduate studies application details

Teaching, expertise, tools and technologies

• Clinical exercise physiology
• Clinical trials and knowledge translation
• Physical activity and aging
• Osteoporosis and bone health

Courses

KIN 429: Bone and Joint Health

KIN 414: Cases in Clinical Exercise Physiology

Education

PhD, McMaster University

Awards and honours 

Volunteer of Distinction, Osteoporosis Canada 2023

Backbone Award, Osteoporosis Canada 2022    

Bloomberg Manulife Prize for the Promotion of the Arts of Active Health

CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research) New Investigator Award

Lindy Fraser Award 2016

Selected publications

Please see Google Scholar for full list of publications

Among people on osteoporosis medication, loss of appendicular or total body lean mass is an independent risk factor for hip and major osteoporotic fractures.

Giangregorio LM, Alexiuk MR, Tangri N, Bohm C, Leslie WD.

Osteoporos Int. 2024 Nov;35(11):2025-2035. doi: 10.1007/s00198-024-07240-z. Epub 2024 Sep 25.

PMID: 39320415

Clinical practice guideline for management of osteoporosis and fracture prevention in Canada: 2023 update.

Morin SN, Feldman S, Funnell L, Giangregorio L, Kim S, McDonald-Blumer H, Santesso N, Ridout R, Ward W, Ashe MC, Bardai Z, Bartley J, Binkley N, Burrell S, Butt D, Cadarette SM, Cheung AM, Chilibeck P, Dunn S, Falk J, Frame H, Gittings W, Hayes K, Holmes C, Ioannidis G, Jaglal SB, Josse R, Khan AA, McIntyre V, Nash L, Negm A, Papaioannou A, Ponzano M, Rodrigues IB, Thabane L, Thomas CA, Tile L, Wark JD.

Osteoporosis Canada 2023 Guideline Update Group.CMAJ. 2023 Oct 10;195(39):E1333-E1348. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.221647.

PMID: 37816527

Exercise and physical activity after an osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

Ponzano M, Giangregorio L.

Br J Sports Med. 2023 Nov 30;57(24):1533-1534. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107157.

PMID: 37775126

Finding the Optimal Resistance Training Intensity for Your Bones: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Giangregorio LM, Bleakney RR, Brien S, Butcher SJ, Chan BCF, Chilibeck PD, Devries MC, Funnell L, Jain R, Keller HH, Milligan J, Mourtzakis M, O'Hare BS, Thabane L, Cheung AM.

Phys Ther. 2023 Oct 3;103(10):pzad120. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzad120.

PMID: 37669136

Development, Acceptability, and Usability of a Virtual Intervention for Vertebral Fractures.

Ponzano M, Tibert N, Brien S, Funnell L, Gibbs JC, Keller H, Laprade J, Morin SN, Papaioannou A, Weston ZJ, Wideman TH, Giangregorio LM.

Phys Ther. 2023 Dec 6;103(12):pzad098. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzad098.

PMID: 37555708

Non-pharmacological management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures: health-care professional perspectives and experiences.

Tibert N, Ponzano M, Brien S, Funnell L, Gibbs JC, Jain R, Keller HH, Laprade J, Morin SN, Papaioannou A, Weston Z, Wideman TH, Giangregorio L.

Disabil Rehabil. 2024 Jul;46(14):2999-3006. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2239146. Epub 2023 Jul 26.

PMID: 37493172

Strength-training and balance activities in Canada: historical trends and current prevalence.

Prince SA, Lang JJ, Colley RC, Giangregorio LM, El-Kotob R, Butler GP, Roberts KC.

Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2023 May;43(5):209-221. doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.43.5.01.

PMID: 37195651