Why Force Plate Testing Helps You Get Back to Sport—Safely and Faster
- Mark Jamantoc
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
When you’re coming back from injury, guesswork isn’t good enough. At Praxis Physical Therapy, we use dual force plates (VALD ForceDecks) to measure how your body produces and absorbs force—objectively, in real time. That data helps us tailor your rehab, reduce re-injury risk, and give you clearer “green-light” milestones for return to sport.
What are force plates?
Force plates are smart platforms that measure ground reaction forces when you jump, land, push, or hold positions. They show:
How much force each leg or arm produces
How evenly you land and decelerate
Your rate of force development (how quickly you can “turn on” strength)
Subtle asymmetries that eyes can miss
Independent studies show VALD ForceDecks are valid and reliable compared to lab-grade plates—so you’re getting lab-level insight in the clinic. JSAMS
Big Wins for Athletes
1) Clearer Return-to-Sport Decisions After ACL Reconstruction
Even when athletes “feel good,” force plate testing often finds hidden asymmetries during jumps and landings after ACL surgery. These deficits can persist past standard timelines and may increase re-injury risk if missed. With force plates, we can track things like eccentric (braking) strength and landing mechanics—crucial for cutting and jumping sports. MDPI+1
What it means for you:
We compare your injured vs. non-injured leg on objective metrics (not just hop distance).
We emphasize deceleration control and progressive plyometrics when your data shows you’re ready.
We align with evidence suggesting many athletes benefit from at least ~9 months before full return to high-risk sports—and we use force data to individualize that timeline. ScienceDirect
Typical ACL force-plate checks at Praxis:
Countermovement jumps (how you load, explode, and land)
Drop landings (braking strategy and symmetry)
Isometric strength measures (baseline readiness and progress)
2) Smarter Testing for Overhead Athletes (Baseball, Volleyball, Tennis, CrossFit)
Upper-body power and control matter for throwing and overhead lifting. The Athletic Shoulder (ASH) test—originally performed on force plates—measures how well your shoulder girdle produces and transfers force in positions like I, Y, and T. Studies report good reliability and growing sport-specific data (including baseball). We use these insights to guide loading progressions (pressing, pulling, overhead stability) and return-to-throw plans. PMC+1
What we measure for overhead athletes:
Maximal isometric force in key positions (I/Y/T)
Rate of force development—how quickly you can stabilize and produce force (key for late-cocking and ball release)
Side-to-side differences that may relate to shoulder or elbow stress
Why this matters more than “eyeballing”
Objective progress: Session-to-session numbers show if your plan is working—or if we need to adjust.
Personalized loading: We match your exercises and volumes to what your data says you can handle today.
Safer green lights: Instead of a one-size-fits-all clearance, we combine force-plate metrics with strength, movement quality, and your sport demands.
And yes—the tech holds up. A 2024 study confirmed ForceDecks’ accuracy for vertical forces and center of pressure across common rehab and performance tests. JSAMSMeanwhile, multiple studies highlight how post-ACL athletes show kinetic deficits on jump tests even after passing basic clinical screens—exactly the kind of “blind spots” force plates catch. MDPI+1
What a Force Plate Session Looks Like
Warm-up & setup – We’ll explain each test in plain English.
Short testing battery – A few well-chosen jumps/holds/landings; for shoulders, ASH positions (I/Y/T).
Instant insights – You’ll see simple visuals of asymmetry, braking/propulsion, and readiness.
Action plan – We update your program (strength, plyometrics, throwing or change-of-direction progressions) based on your data.
Who benefits?
Post-surgery athletes (ACL, shoulder stabilization/labral, rotator cuff)
Field & court athletes needing cutting/jumping
Throwers & overhead lifters needing stable, powerful shoulders
Anyone stuck at a plateau who needs precise answers
Bottom line
Force plates turn rehab into data-driven coaching. You’ll know what’s better, what’s not yet ready, and what to do next—so you can return to sport with confidence.
Ready to test? Book a ForceDecks assessment at Praxis Physical Therapy and get a plan built on your numbers, not guesswork.
References (select)
Collings TJ et al. Concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of VALD ForceDecks vs. laboratory plates. J Sci Med Sport. 2024. JSAMS
Wright A et al. RTS tests and criteria after ACL reconstruction—scoping review; supports delaying RTS ~9+ months. Physiotherapy. 2025. ScienceDirect
Cabarkapa D et al. CMJ force-time metrics differ after ACLR vs. controls. Sports. 2024. MDPI
Forelli F et al. Deceleration and kinetic deficits persist after ACLR; implications for RTS. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2025. IJSPT
Królikowska A et al. ASH test reliability/validity and origins in force plate testing. Sensors (Basel). 2022. PMC
Ashworth B et al. Rate of force development in ASH positions in baseball players. Sports (MDPI). 2025. MDPI
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