Test OVERVIEW

Force plates are mechanical sensing systems designed to measure the ground reaction forces and moments involved in human movements. A force plate relies on the use of load cells to determine forces.  In addition to athletics, the force plate has multiple uses in other sports. Skating, football, target shooting, but also volleyball, basketball and all sports in which there are stresses related to posture, jumping and levers.

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WHY

​Why would you do this test?  The force plate analysis measures direction, strength, reactive muscle activation time and other parameters and forces produced during specific movements of a sporting activity, like walking, running or jumping. In essence, it analyses motor patterns, applying kinematics to dynamics.

 

RECOMMENDED

Who is this test recommended for?  Force plate analysis is recommended for all ages regardless of the sport in which they compete.

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HOW OFTEN

How often should you repeat this test?  Force plate analysis is recommended every 6-12 months

 

BODY PARTS

​Which body parts are or can be tested?  Force plate analysis can virtually test most every type of movement within an athletes body.

 

RESULTS

What are the results of this test? A force plate is an instrument that allows to detect and measure the forces that are produced during physical exercise, in order to optimize the athletic gesture and to "ground" all the power of an athlete, even in relation to a project of rehabilitation or recovery after injury.

 

SUMMARY

 What does this help to improve? Force plate technology is used to measure balance, gait, and other parameters of biomechanics, most commonly for medical and athletic performance purposes.  For example, instead of estimating jump height with a reach or flight time, force plates calculate the vertical displacement of an individual's center of mass using the measured kinetic (force production) data, the Impulse-Momentum Theorem, and the Law of the Conservation of Energy.

 

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