Force Plate Testing 

Force Plate Testing is a cutting-edge assessment tool created by VALD, used by elite athletes to measure the forces produced during various movements. This advanced equipment and technology is employed at all Premiership football clubs in the UK, providing precise data on your movement mechanics, which is essential for injury management, performance optimisation, and tracking physical progress. By identifying weaknesses, imbalances, and areas for improvement, it allows us to design a highly personalised rehabilitation and performance enhancement plan.

Fixed Dynamometry 

Fixed Dynamometry quantifies muscle strength during isometric contractions. This technology helps assess maximal strength in specific muscle groups, providing valuable insights into your overall physical capabilities.

Patient Testimonial: Susie, 22, Elite Level Runner

“After rupturing my Achilles, I was determined to recover properly and get back to running at my elite level. I had worked with a physiotherapist before, but I didn’t have access to the testing equipment that could really pinpoint my weaknesses. That’s when I found the High Performance Testing Service at Complete Physio, and it was a game-changer for me. They have all the gear!

The testing using the force plates revealed weaknesses in my other leg that I hadn’t even realised were there. Understanding how these imbalances might have contributed to my injury was eye-opening. It gave me the motivation to work on those areas and ensure I was addressing all aspects of my recovery.

With the data from the testing, the team designed a tailored training plan just for me. It was reassuring to have clear markers to guide my progress. I felt like I was taking control of my recovery, and it kept me focused and motivated.

Now, I’m back to running and feeling even stronger than before. The insights I gained from the High Performance Testing not only helped me recover but also made me a better athlete overall. I’m so grateful for the expert guidance and support I received during this process!”

Benefits of High Performance Testing

• Injury Management: 

Understanding your movement mechanics allows us to tailor rehabilitation programmes specifically to your needs, reducing the risk of re-injury and supporting post-operative recovery. This approach helps address compensatory patterns, muscle imbalances and correct faulty movement strategies, making long-term injury management more effective. For those recovering from surgeries, such as ACL reconstruction or an Achilles rupture, High Performance Testing can be particularly valuable in guiding your rehabilitation and a safe return to sport. Completing a thorough, objective testing protocol for returning to sport has been repeatedly demonstrated to enhance the chances of a successful return and, crucially, to substantially reduce the risk of sustaining another ACL injury (Maestroni et al., 2023; O’Dowd et al., 2024).

• Track Physical Progress: 

How many times have you been told to get stronger, faster, or more powerful? But how do you know when you’ve actually achieved these goals? With High Performance Testing, we can track improvements in strength, balance, and stability over time, ensuring your training programmes are optimised. It takes the guesswork out of your progress, letting you know exactly when to progress exercises, when to adjust your plan, and when you’re ready to safely return to sport.

• Data-Driven Treatment Plans: 

The insights gathered from the tests enable us to personalise your physiotherapy treatments. The session is designed to be effective, focused, and tailored to your specific needs, based on the data collected. This ensures every decision is backed by objective, real-time information.

The Service We Offer At Complete Physio

The comprehensive 1 x 90-minute assessment session combines force plate testing and fixed dynamometry to analyse key aspects of your movement, strength, and power. Our physiotherapists, who have all worked or still work in professional sports, apply the same high-standard testing methods used with professional athletes to optimise your recovery and performance.

What to Expect in a Session

Your 1 x 90-minute High Performance Testing will include the following:

• History taking: 

At the beginning of the session your clinician will discuss your medical history, current physical activity levels, and specific goals. By learning more about your specific goals, we can determine which tests we need to perform to optimise the outcome of your testing session.

• Testing Session: 

During the session, you will perform a variety of movements, such as squats and jumps, on the force plate. Our specialist physiotherapists will also incorporate fixed dynamometry assessments, gathering data on your weight distribution, force production, and power to help inform your rehabilitation or performance plan.

• Analysis & Feedback: 

After the session, we will analyse the results and provide a comprehensive report outlining key findings. This will include recommendations for areas of improvement, addressing any muscle imbalances or weaknesses, and suggestions for optimising performance or preventing injury.

• Tailored Treatment Plan: 

Based on the analysis, we will work with you to develop a personalised plan that maximises both your recovery and athletic performance. Each recommendation will be customised to your specific needs and movement patterns.

Examples of VALD High Performance Tests

Our testing protocols can be divided into two main competencies: Maximal Strength and Plyometric Ability. Your physiotherapist may complete additional tests outside of those listed to help with producing your individualised feedback on your performance.

Maximal Strength Tests

Maximal strength tests refer to a set of assessments designed to evaluate an individual’s maximum ability to exert force against resistance. These tests provide a quantifiable measure of strength, allowing for a detailed understanding of an individual’s physical capabilities and guiding effective training and rehabilitation strategies.

These are examples of what may be tested; however, each individual’s testing will differ according to their specific needs.

• Peak Force Test: 

This test measures the highest amount of force you can exert during a static push or pull. It is commonly used to evaluate overall strength.

• Single-Leg Maximal Strength Test: 

This assessment isolates specific muscles, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves, by measuring the force produced during a single-leg contraction. This helps identify any imbalances between legs and guides targeted rehabilitation strategies.

• Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull: 

This is an example of a test that allows for the evaluation of multiple muscle groups in a more functional movement context. It measures the force generated while pulling against an immovable object at mid-thigh height, effectively assessing the strength of the posterior chain, including the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back.

Plyometric Ability Tests

Plyometric ability refers to how quickly and powerfully you can generate force during explosive movements. In simple terms, it measures how well you can jump and land effectively.

These are examples of what may be tested; however, each individual’s testing will differ according to their specific needs.

• Drop Jump Test: 

This test evaluates your reactive strength and landing mechanics by analysing how quickly and forcefully you can jump after dropping from a height.

• Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Test: 

This assessment measures lower body power and explosiveness by calculating the height and force produced during a vertical jump.

• Squat Jump Test: 

This test assesses your ability to generate force from a static squat position, offering insights into your lower-body power.

These tests, all made possible with the VALD system, provide valuable data on force production, power, and stability, helping us fine-tune your rehabilitation and performance programmes based on real-time, objective insights tailored specifically to you as an individual.

How Will High Performance Testing Help You?

Undergoing High Performance Testing is instrumental in optimising your performance and ensuring a safe return to sport. By providing detailed insights into your strength, power, and movement mechanics, the data gathered allows us to identify specific areas for improvement and tailor your training programme accordingly. This targeted approach ensures that you not only recover effectively from injuries but also achieve peak conditioning to maximise your athletic performance. These assessments will empower you to work on your weaknesses and enhance your strengths, ensuring a successful transition back into competitive sports and maximising your potential, injury-free!

Who Is High Performance Testing Good For?

High Performance Testing is beneficial for a wide range of individuals, including athletes recovering from surgery, those with multiple or recurrent injuries, or those experiencing recurrent niggles that can limit your performance. Whether you’ve faced a significant injury or are dealing with chronic issues, this testing provides crucial insights into your physical capabilities and readiness to return to sport. By assessing your strength, balance, and movement patterns, we can identify specific deficits that need addressing before re-entering competitive play. This targeted approach not only supports a safe transition back to sport but also helps prevent future injuries by ensuring you’re performing at your best and maintaining optimal conditioning.

Pricing

£250 for a 1.5-hour (90-minute) High Performance Testing and assessment session.

Where We Offer This Service

Our High Performance Testing is available at our physiotherapy clinics located in:

• Lime Street Clinic 
• Angel Clinic
• Chelsea clinic 

Get Started Today!

High Performance Testing removes the guesswork, giving you clear, data-driven guidance on when you’re ready to safely return to your sport and when to adjust your rehabilitation or training programme. Take the first step towards improved performance and injury management. Book your High Performance Testing session today!

If you’re unsure whether this service is right for you, we offer a free consultation call with one of our expert clinicians to discuss the process and how it can benefit you

References

• Maestroni, L., Turner, A., Papadopoulos, K., Cohen, D., Sideris, V., Graham-Smith, P., & Read, P. (2023). Comparison of Strength and Power Characteristics Before ACL Rupture and at the End of Rehabilitation Before Return to Sport in Professional Soccer Players. Sports Health, 15(6), 814–823.
• O’Dowd, D. P., Stanley, J., Rosenfeldt, M. P., Walsh, S., Twaddle, B., De Ruiter, L., Crua, E., Monk, A. P., & Walsh, S. (2024). Reduction in re-rupture rates following implementation of return-to-sport testing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in 313 patients with a mean follow-up of 50 months. Journal of ISAKOS: Joint Disorders & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, 9(3), 264–271.