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DARREN GLENDENNING
APA SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPIST
B.App.Sc (Physio), M. Sports Phty, Prof Cert in Pain Sciences, APAM, MACP
Experience in Sports Physiotherapy
Darren Glendenning is an APA Sports Physiotherapist in Newcastle with more than 30 years of clinical experience treating sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions and complex rehabilitation.
Darren graduated in Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney in 1993 and completed a Master of Sports Physiotherapy at Griffith University in 2005. He became an APA Titled Sports Physiotherapist in 2006 and later completed a Professional Certificate in Pain Sciences at the University of South Australia.
As Director of Up N Adam Performance Training & Physiotherapy in Hamilton North, Darren's approach combines experienced clinical assessment with objective testing, progressive strength and conditioning and individualised rehabilitation.
Sports & Clinical Experience
Darren's career has included:
- Olympic & Paralympic Sport: Physiotherapist with the Irish Olympic and Paralympic teams during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
- Australian Bobsleigh: Physiotherapist and athlete/driver with the Australian Bobsleigh Team on international tours.
- Semi-Professional Rugby League: Physiotherapist with Western Suburbs Rugby League Club from 2007–2016.
- Australian Defence Force: Physiotherapist on a United Nations mission in East Timor and Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserve.
- Private Practice: More than two decades working in and operating physiotherapy practices in Newcastle.
- Orthopaedics: Physiotherapist at Hunter Hand & Upper Limb Therapy and researcher with the Newcastle Orthopaedic Research Institute.
Sports Injuries & Complex Rehabilitation
Darren has particular interests in shoulder injuries, back pain, hip and lower-limb injuries, sports rehabilitation and pre- and post-operative physiotherapy.
His approach focuses on identifying the factors limiting recovery rather than simply treating symptoms. Where appropriate, rehabilitation incorporates VALD strength and performance testing, gym-based rehabilitation and progressive strength and conditioning to objectively measure deficits and guide return to activity and sport.
Cycling, Running & Endurance Sports
Darren has a strong interest in treating cyclists, runners and endurance athletes and understands the demands of training and competition first-hand.
A keen competitive cyclist and runner himself, Darren has qualified for the 2027 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Annecy, France, and is preparing to complete his sixth Peaks Challenge Falls Creek in 2027.
This personal experience, combined with his Sports Physiotherapy background, gives Darren a strong understanding of training load, strength, injury rehabilitation and the challenge of keeping athletes training while appropriately managing injury.
At Up N Adam, Darren works within an integrated endurance-performance team offering cycling and running physiotherapy, CycleFit bike fitting, running assessment, VALD performance testing, VO₂ and lactate threshold testing, and strength and conditioning.
Who Darren Treats
You don't need to be an elite athlete to see Darren.
He treats people across a broad range of ages and activity levels — from those experiencing persistent shoulder, back, hip or lower-limb problems through to recreational athletes, competitive runners and cyclists, and patients rehabilitating following orthopaedic surgery.
The goal is the same: understand the problem, establish what is limiting recovery and develop a clear pathway back to the activities that matter to you
