What if you could measure and improve how efficiently you sprint, jump, lift or recover from injury? Generating the right amount of force is fundamental for success in fitness and sports, whether you are a seasoned athlete or a fitness enthusiast. ForceDecks, developed by VALD Technology, is a state-of-the-art system in sports science and strength training. It provides advanced analysis of force production, movement efficiency, and asymmetries, helping athletes and professionals optimize performance and reduce injury risk. It provides objective, real-time data on your ability to generate force, enabling personalized training programs for optimal performance and injury prevention. Let’s dive deeper into what ForceDecks are, who it will benefit and how it works. 

What are ForceDecks?

ForceDecks is a dual force plate system that measures and optimizes the body’s ability to generate and distribute forces during movements. It assesses over 20 movements, including isometric strength, squats, jumps, functional tests and more. Athletes, physiotherapists and coaches can use the real-time data provided by ForceDecks to optimize their performance, prevent injuries and maximize training efficiency. 

How does ForceDecks work?

At the core of ForceDecks is the concept of “Ground Reaction Force” or GRF. GRF is the force the ground exerts on an individual in response to their actions such as standing, jumping or running. It follows Newton’s Third Law, which states, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” When you land, jump or move on the force plates, your body applies force on the ground as the ground pushes back with an equal force. ForceDecks detect and measure this reaction to provide insights into different performance metrics like movement efficiency, asymmetry and strength. 

Check out the science that works behind ForceDecks. 

Capturing Ground Reaction Force (GRF)

ForceDecks use high-precision strain gauges and load cells that are embedded in dual force plates to measure GRF in the real time. The gauges measure the tiny deformations in the plates caused by the applied force. These sensors detect forces in multiple directions – vertical, horizontal and lateral giving a complete picture of how the force is generated and absorbed during movements. 

Data Capture and Processing

Once the sensors detect force and movement, the software converts analog signals into digital data through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The digital signal is further processed and refined to remove guesswork and provide accurate readings. The system then analyzes the key performance metrics such as peak force, asymmetry between limbs and rate of force development (RFD). 

Precision and Reliability

Numerous research studies have validated the accuracy and reliability of ForceDecks measurements. ForceDecks are widely known for their high sampling rate, which can exceed 1000Hz, ensuring precise force measurements for even the fastest movements. Precision is achieved through a combination of advanced technology and rigorous testing. High-sensitivity strain gauges, advanced signal processing and regular calibration are some of the key features that enable a high level of precision and reliability, making ForceDecks a valuable tool for athletes, physiotherapists and trainers. 

Measurement of Left vs. Right Leg Force Output

ForceDecks consist of a dual-plate design which allows the system to independently measure force output from each limb. Trainers and therapists can assess asymmetries between limbs, identify muscular imbalances and track rehabilitation progress in each leg. The data is shown in real time on a connected device, providing immediate feedback to both the trainer and the individual being tested. 

What are the Key Metrics Measured by ForceDecks?

ForceDecks measures hundreds of metrics and key performance indicators. Below are a few of the most commonly used metrics: 

Force

ForceDecks help measure two important force metrics- peak force and average force. 

Peak force– The maximum amount of force produced during a movement. 

Peak force is a key determinant of strength, especially in activities that require a single maximal effort, such as weightlifting. It reflects your maximal muscle activation and ability to generate force.  

Average force– The average amount of force sustained over a specific period. 

Average force is an individual’s ability to maintain the production of force over time. It is important for activities that require a sustained force output, such as jumping or sprinting. 

Power

Power is a crucial factor in many athletic activities, especially those involving explosive movements like sprinting, throwing and jumping. It is the rate at which force is produced or generated. Trainers can use power-centric exercises to improve an individual’s ability to generate explosive movements. 

Velocity

Velocity is the distance travelled divided by the time taken to travel that distance. It reflects your ability to move quickly, which is essential for generating rapid and forceful movements. Athletes need to generate both force and velocity to perform explosive movements like sprinting and jumping. 

Rate of Force Development (RFD)

RFD refers to how quickly an individual produces force in activities, particularly those involving reactive strength and explosiveness. Reactive strength is crucial for activities that involve rapid changes in direction while explosiveness is essential for activities like jumping, sprinting and throwing. 

Impulse

Impulse is the total force applied over a period of time. It provides valuable information about an individual’s ability to generate force over time and is highly relevant in activities that require sustained force output like changing directions, jumping or sprinting. 

Balance/Asymmetry

Balance or asymmetry refers to the differences in force production between the right and left limbs. Ideally, both legs should contribute equally to force generation during activities like changing directions, jumping or landing. However, certain imbalances can occur which increases the risk of injury. Coaches use this data to detect imbalances in each limb and tailor training programs to address the imbalances.

What are the Applications of ForceDecks in Fitness and Sports?

ForceDecks are widely used in sports and fitness to assess and quantify key performance metrics such as strength, power, balance and movement efficiency. Strength coaches use ForceDecks to analyze jump performances, monitor musculoskeletal and neurological readiness and adjust training loads for the best outcome. Physiotherapists use ForceDecks to assess injuries, monitor rehab progress and customize return-to-play strategies. 

The most common applications of ForceDecks are as follows.

Performance Enhancement

ForceDecks help improve performance by providing real-time data on force production, asymmetries and movement efficiency. Trainers leverage the data to optimize strength training, adjust workloads and prevent overtraining. Therapists use it to identify muscular imbalances between limbs and assess the risk of injuries to help them perform at their highest potential. 

Injury Prevention

ForceDecks help detect muscle imbalances, fatigue levels and movement inefficiencies that often lead to injuries. Coaches and physiotherapists can use the software to detect weaknesses and design targeted training to correct them. Isometric tests, for example, keep track of your neuromuscular readiness, ensuring athletes can return to their game after complete recovery. 

Rehabilitation 

Trainers can track recovery progress, neuromuscular function and strength imbalances through ForceDecks. The system also provides real-time insights into the individual’s force production, limb asymmetry and weight distribution, which coaches can use to ensure a safe and effective return to activity. In other words, ForceDecks helps identify defects and guide personalized rehab plans for efficient recovery. 

Talent Identification

ForceDecks provide objective insights into an individual’s explosiveness, balance, power and movement efficiencies. Coaches analyze asymmetry, rate of force development and jump performances to identify high athletic potential and tailor training programs accordingly. 

Final Thoughts, 

ForceDecks benefits athletes of all levels, fitness enthusiasts, trainers and physiotherapists. It is sports science technology designed to provide accurate, real-time data on various metrics like force production, asymmetries, fatigue, and recovery rate. The objective insights lead to better decision-making in rehab, talent identification and performance training. Whether you want to boost strength or assess movement efficiency, ForceDecks can help you out. You can contact Latitude Performance for a comprehensive ForceDecks assessment and see how data-driven training can transform your performance levels. 

References

Robertson, C. J., Burden, A. M., Kader, D. F., & Sarginson, R. J. (2014). Force plate biofeedback for gait retraining in cerebral palsy: A systematic review. Gait & Posture, 39(3), 779-787.