Youth Athlete Assessment Program
At Leaside Sports Medicine, we’re tackling the youth sports injury crisis head-on. With rising injury rates and dropout statistics indicating that 60-70% of young athletes quit by age 13, we believe there’s a better way. Our specialized youth athlete assessment program identifies sport-specific movement inefficiencies and injury risks before they become problems, helping young athletes train smarter, prevent injury, perform better, and stay in their sport longer.
To book an assessment, call or email our front desk and let us know your child’s age, sport, position, and whether they’re experiencing any current pain or injuries.
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Youth Athlete Assessment Program
Every young athlete is unique, with different biomechanics, injury histories, and sport-specific demands. Yet, most are still using the same generic training programs. In volleyball, a 6-foot middle hitter shouldn’t train the same way as a 5-foot defensive specialist, but they usually do.
With our specialized youth athlete assessment, we analyze how your child moves now to prevent injuries later and improve performance immediately. The Leaside Sports Medicine team works with each young athlete individually to help them achieve their athletic goals safely and effectively.
How We Can Help
Our youth athlete assessment program includes:
Full-body sports-specific and position-specific biomechanical movement analysis
Sport-specific video analysis and assessment (if needed)
Early detection of injury risk factors
Personalized exercise prescription (2-4 targeted exercises)
Treatment of current pain or dysfunction (if needed)
Core assessment and gait analysis
Exercises to improve performance (jump higher, skate faster, spike harder)
Youth Athlete Assessment Program Applications
Movement Assessment
We identify poor movement patterns before they cost your athlete a game, tournament, or entire season. Our in-person and video assessment catches the subtle imbalances and compensations that could lead to major injuries when repeated thousands of times.
Rather than using generic fitness programs that assume every athlete should do the same exercises, we create individualized plans based on your child’s specific biomechanics, sport demands, and injury history. This may include what the athlete should and shouldn’t do in their fitness workouts.
Injury Prevention
Rather than waiting for injuries to happen, we identify risk factors early and address them with targeted interventions, helping young athletes avoid the cycle of injury that causes so many to drop out of sports.
Through personalized programming that considers your child’s age, sport, injury history, and specific biomechanics, we help them train the right way from the start.
Performance Enhancement
We help young athletes move more efficiently in their specific sport, whether they need to jump higher, serve harder, skate faster, or improve any other sport-specific skill.
Our targeted approach means they will be taught 2-4 specific exercises in their first session that will either improve performance or decrease injury risk, making every training session count.
What Is Included in the Program?
Sport-Specific Assessment
Our sports medicine team conducts a comprehensive evaluation tailored to your child’s specific sport, analyzing how they move during sport-specific activities and identifying areas for improvement. We’ll also get a better picture of their medical history and current training regimen to develop a complete picture of their needs.
We match each athlete with the sports doc/physiotherapist who best understands their sport’s unique demands and movement requirements.
Personalized Action Plan
Based on the assessment findings, we provide 2-4 targeted exercises designed specifically for your child’s needs, whether that’s improving performance, addressing imbalances, or preventing injury.
If treatment is needed for current pain or dysfunction, we can provide that during the same visit, making this both an assessment and a treatment.
Our recommendations are based on what we find during the assessment, not generic protocols, ensuring each young athlete gets exactly what they need.
Long-term Success Strategy
We provide tools and education that help young athletes and their families make informed decisions about training, recovery, and injury prevention as they continue to develop.
Regular reassessments help ensure that training programs evolve appropriately as young athletes grow, mature, and advance in their sports. Our goal is to keep your child in their sport for as long as possible, with the tools and knowledge to train smart, perform well, and stay healthy.
Dr. Joseph Kottoor
Dr. Joseph Kottoor is the Owner and Clinic Director at Leaside Sports Medicine.
He is a Chiropractor, Rehabilitation Specialist, Medical Acupuncturist, Certified Active Release Techniques® Provider, Certified Personal Trainer, and provider of custom orthotics and custom knee bracing. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kottoor has worked with athletes from the NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, MLS, and Olympians.
Dr. Darren Edelist
Dr. Darren Edelist is a Sports Medicine Physician at Leaside Sports Medicine.
With over 20 years of clinical experience, he specializes in working with athletes across all age groups and disciplines. Dr. Edelist has worked with Ryerson University Sports, the Council of Amateur Sport Kickboxing, Judo Ontario, the Mississauga Ice Dogs, Canada’s National Ballet School, and the Toronto and Mississauga Marathons. He takes the time to understand your problems and main complaints, paving the way toward a full recovery.
Due to his extensive background, Dr. Edelist frequently has a two-month wait list. We encourage you to book your appointment with Leaside Sports Medicine as soon as possible.
Dr. Kate Hood
Dr. Kate Hood is a Chiropractor at Leaside Sports Medicine.
She graduated from Palmer West College of Chiropractic in San Jose, California, with awards in Leadership, Sport, and Clinical Excellence. With years of experience, Dr. Hood has worked with athletes from various disciplines, including volleyball, triathlon, track and field, and swimming.
Dr. Roberta Da Re
Dr. Roberta Da Re is a Chiropractor at Leaside Sports Medicine.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude with Clinic Honours from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in 1996 and obtained a certificate in Medical Acupuncture from McMaster University. Dr. Da Re worked closely with competitive skiers and snowboarders in the Italian Alps for eight years. She also has extensive experience with runners, focusing on assessing running form for improved performance and injury prevention.
Jonathan Tay
Jonathan Tay is a Physiotherapist at Leaside Sports Medicine.
He previously worked in a large medical center in Australia, gaining vast experience in various musculoskeletal conditions. His specialties include deep tissue massage, joint mobilization, dry needling, and exercise recommendations, helping each patient achieve their goals and more.
Rachel Poole
Rachel Poole is a Physiotherapist at Leaside Sports Medicine.
She completed her Kinesiologist degree at Western University and earned her Master of Physiotherapy Studies at the University of Queensland in Australia. Her specialties include concussion management, acupuncture, and dry needling. Rachel firmly believes that movement is the best medicine and incorporates movement into every treatment plan, working closely with each client.
Stephen Sin
Stephen Sin is a Physiotherapist at Leaside Sports Medicine.
He played tennis, volleyball, and basketball throughout his childhood and young adulthood. After experiencing his own struggles with pain and injury, Stephen pursued a career in physiotherapy in Toronto. He treats a wide variety of clients and is keen on applying the latest advancements to his treatment protocols, ensuring his clients receive the best care possible.
Radu Radulescu
Radu Radulescu is a Physiotherapist at Leaside Sports Medicine.
He is a lifelong athlete who has played competitive tennis and basketball. Radu’s passion for health and fitness led him to complete his Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Western Ontario after receiving a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo. He has experience working with a variety of settings and patient demographics, including neurological patients, acute care patients, athletes, and in orthopaedic and community care settings.
Valerie Hawke
Valerie Hawke is a Physiotherapist at Leaside Sports Medicine.
She has over 16 years of experience as a physiotherapist. She achieved her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University and earned her Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph. Valerie has practiced in Canada and internationally in the United States and Australia. She brings a wealth of knowledge in orthopaedic rehabilitation, dry needling, kinesiotaping, pilates (matwork), pelvic health, and vestibular training.
Marc Lalonde
Marc Lalonde is a Registered Massage Therapist at Leaside Sports Medicine.
His practice focuses on therapeutic deep tissue massage, myofascial release, and sports massage, delivered with a personalized and results-driven approach. He works extensively with clients recovering from orthopedic surgeries, sports injuries, repetitive strain, and those managing postural or biomechanical stress, chronic pain, and headaches. Marc regularly provides treatment for injury prevention, performance enhancement, and recovery with athletes and individuals maintaining active lifestyles.
