How We Use VALD ForceDecks at Carolina Movement to Build Stronger Humans

In modern sports performance and rehabilitation, data matters more than ever. Everything needs to be tracked

At CMD, we use ForceDecks from VALD to objectively measure how athletes produce, absorb, and transfer force. This allows us to move beyond guesswork and create individualized performance and rehab programs based on real biomechanical data.

Force plate technology has rapidly become one of the most researched and effective tools for athlete monitoring, injury reduction, fatigue management, and return-to-play decision making. Recent studies continue to show that force-time metrics provide valuable insight into neuromuscular performance, asymmetries, and movement strategies that traditional testing often misses. (MDPI)

At CMD, we integrate ForceDecks into both sports performance training and physical therapy to help athletes move more efficiently, recover more effectively, and perform at a higher level. It’s important to us that we use everything in our tool kit to deliver the best possible outcomes for our athletes and our patients.

Why We Use Force Plates Instead of Guesswork

Traditional performance testing often relies on:

• Stopwatch timing

• Visual movement analysis

• Subjective observation

• Simple jump height measurements

While these methods still have value, they do not fully explain how an athlete produces movement. This is what we REALLY want to know.

Force plates allow us to analyze the entire force-time curve during athletic tasks.

This gives us objective information about:

• Explosive power

• Reactive strength

• Force absorption

• Eccentric control

• Interlimb asymmetries

• Fatigue

• Neuromuscular efficiency

• Return-to-play readiness

Recent biomechanics research continues to emphasize that analyzing force-time characteristics provides significantly deeper insight than jump height or performance outcomes alone. (MDPI)

This also helps us transform the “return to play” parameters from time-based (you are ready to run at 12 weeks), to performance-based (you are able to absorb forces adequately to proceed)

What We Test at Carolina Movement Doc

At Carolina Movement Doc, ForceDecks testing is part of a comprehensive athlete assessment process.

We commonly use:

Countermovement Jump (CMJ)

The CMJ is one of the most valuable tools for evaluating:

• Lower-body power

• Force production

• Neuromuscular fatigue

• Braking strategy

• Movement efficiency

Using ForceDecks, we can analyze:

• Peak force

• Rate of force development

• Eccentric deceleration

• Concentric impulse

• Landing strategy

• Asymmetry patterns

Modern research shows that force-time curve analysis from CMJ testing can identify movement inefficiencies and fatigue before performance visibly declines. (PubMed)

Drop Jump Testing

The Drop Jump Test helps us evaluate:

• Reactive strength

• Tendon stiffness

• Elastic energy utilization

• Stretch-shortening cycle efficiency

One of the most important metrics from this test is Reactive Strength Index (RSI).

This helps us understand how quickly athletes can absorb and redirect force — a critical quality for:

• Sprinting

• Cutting

• Baseball

• Basketball

• Football

• Volleyball

Athletes with efficient reactive strength tend to move more explosively while reducing unnecessary energy loss. If you stop and think about this, athletes need optimal RSI in order to perform their sport well. So this applies to just about everything!

Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull (IMTP)

The IMTP measures maximal force production capabilities.

This test gives us insight into:

• Absolute strength

• Relative strength

• Force generation capacity

• Neuromuscular output

F=ma (we love this equation and it plays a big role into everything we do)

Research consistently shows that maximal force production strongly influences:

• Sprint acceleration

• Jump performance

• Change-of-direction ability

• Overall athletic potential

For baseball athletes, this can directly influence rotational force production and lower-body power transfer.

Why Asymmetries Matter

One of the most valuable features of ForceDecks is the ability to identify side-to-side asymmetries.

Recent research suggests even small asymmetries in external force production may correspond to significantly larger internal joint loading differences. (PubMed)

This matters because athletes often compensate long before pain appears.

We frequently identify asymmetries related to:

• Previous injuries

• Hip mobility restrictions

• Ankle stiffness

• Knee pain

• Fatigue

• Reduced eccentric control

ForceDecks allows us to objectively track whether those asymmetries improve over time rather than relying purely on visual observation.

How We Use ForceDecks in Rehabilitation

At Carolina Movement Doc, force plate testing is heavily integrated into physical therapy and return-to-play decision making.

We commonly use ForceDecks during rehabilitation for:

• ACL reconstruction

• Achilles tendon injuries

• Patellar tendinopathy

• Hamstring strains

• Hip injuries

• Ankle sprains

• Stress fractures

Traditional rehab often progresses based on:

• Time since surgery

• Pain levels

• Range of motion

But pain-free does not always mean performance-ready.

Force plate testing helps us determine whether athletes can:

• Produce force effectively

• Absorb load safely

• Demonstrate confidence on the injured limb

• Tolerate high-speed athletic demands

This creates a far more objective return-to-sport process.

Fatigue Monitoring and Athlete Readiness

Modern sports science increasingly uses force plates for athlete monitoring.

Research demonstrates that force-time variables often change before athletes visibly appear fatigued. (MDPI)

This allows us to identify:

• Neuromuscular fatigue

• Recovery deficits

• Excessive training stress

• Increased injury risk

Common fatigue-related findings include:

• Reduced eccentric braking force

• Longer ground contact times

• Altered landing strategies

• Reduced reactive strength

This information helps guide:

• Training intensity

• Plyometric volume

• Recovery programming

• Competition readiness

The Future of Sports Performance Testing

The latest research continues to push athlete monitoring toward:

• AI-assisted analysis

• Longitudinal performance tracking

• Markerless biomechanics

• Portable movement analysis

• Integrated fatigue monitoring systems

While newer technologies like smartphone and camera-based systems are emerging, force plates remain the gold standard for evaluating force production and movement mechanics. (ScienceDirect)

Why We Believe Objective Data Matters

At Carolina Movement Doc, we believe better information leads to better decisions.

ForceDecks helps us:

• Identify hidden movement inefficiencies

• Build individualized training programs

• Reduce injury risk

• Track rehabilitation progress

• Improve athletic performance

• Make smarter return-to-play decisions

Most importantly, it allows us to move beyond assumptions and measure what actually matters.

Final Thoughts

Force plate testing is changing the way athletes train, recover, and perform.

Using ForceDecks at Carolina Movement Doc allows us to objectively evaluate how athletes move and create data-driven programs tailored to their individual needs.

Whether the goal is:

• Improving explosiveness

• Reducing injury risk

• Returning from injury

• Increasing performance

• Monitoring fatigue

• Developing long-term athletic durability

ForceDecks provides the objective insight needed to help athletes perform at a higher level safely and efficiently. We have the ability to use them for both rehab and for performance as we are equipped to do BOTH in our facility.

When you are ready to really dive into the objective measures of what you need, then book your free call with us today and let’s get started.

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