What are Force Plates and Why We Use Them at E4 Physio
- E4 Physio
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you’re dealing with recurring injuries, persistent pain, or feel like your rehabilitation isn’t progressing as it should, our experienced sports physiotherapy team at E4 Physio can help.
When clients first visit us, we assess how your body produces and absorbs force, identify strength imbalances, and uncover the underlying causes of your injury. This is achieved by using advanced ForceDecks force plate technology.
For many injuries, particularly those involving the knee, ankle, hip or lower back, are linked to movement asymmetries or poor loading strategies that are not visible to the naked eye. Without objective testing, these deficits can go undetected, increasing the risk of delayed recovery or re-injury.
However, with an early data-driven assessment using force plates, we can create a highly targeted rehabilitation and performance plan tailored specifically to you.
If you would like a comprehensive injury assessment using ForceDecks at E4 Physio, get in touch with our team today.
What Are Force Plates?
A force plate is a device used to measure the forces exerted on the ground by your body during movement or exercise. At its core, it contains sensors that detect changes in force, similar in principle to a highly sensitive set of scales, but with far greater precision with the ability to capture dynamic data such as jumps, landings, balance shifts and strength output.
Each time you perform a movement on the force plates, they measure how much force your body applies, in which direction, and how that changes over time. This gives us a force-time curve and a detailed picture of how you are producing, absorbing and distributing force through your joints and muscle groups.
Why ForceDecks Matter for Physiotherapy
Unlike traditional assessment tools, force plates provide objective, quantitative data. This data helps us to identify underlying movement deficits that may be contributing to pain or recurring injury.
At E4 Physio, we use ForceDecks because they allow us to:
🎯 Assess Strength and Power Accurately
ForceDecks measure how much force you can generate during functional movements such as squats, jumps, or isometric pulls. This helps us understand muscle strength more precisely than manual testing alone.
⚖️ Detect Asymmetry Between Limbs
Imbalances in strength and force production between the left and right limbs are a common cause of injury and pain, yet they’re often missed in usual clinical assessments. ForceDecks highlight these asymmetries, allowing us to tailor rehabilitation to your specific needs.
📈 Analyse Movement Strategy
Force plates don’t just measure force magnitude — they show how force changes during movement, revealing compensations or inefficient patterns you might not even be aware of. This is incredibly valuable when planning effective treatment.
💪 Monitor Progress Over Time
Since the data is numerical and reproducible, ForceDecks allow us to track improvements objectively. Whether you are returning from injury or enhancing performance, we can show you how your force production and balance are improving week by week.
How We Use ForceDecks During Your First Visit
When you first visit E4 Physio, ForceDecks help us build a detailed baseline of your movement capabilities. Typical assessments we might use include:
Jump tests to assess leg power and force production
Squat and landing tests to examine control and symmetry
Isometric strength tests to gauge maximal force output
Balance and postural assessments to identify stability issues
Each of these tests contributes to a clearer picture of how your body is functioning, allowing us to understand not just where your pain is, but why it’s happening.
ForceDecks for Injury Recovery, Prevention & Performance
Using objective force plate data is particularly beneficial for:
🦵 Rehabilitation After Injury
For conditions such as ACL injuries, ankle instability or chronic pain, ForceDecks help us identify the exact deficits that need attention and quantify when you’re ready to progress to the next stage.
🛡️ Preventing Future Injuries
By detecting subtle asymmetries and compensatory strategies, force plate testing enables us to correct movement issues before they turn into pain or more severe injuries.
🏃 Improving Performance
For athletes or active clients, understanding force production and movement patterns can help refine training, improve power and reduce unnecessary load on vulnerable areas.
What Does This Means for You?
Instead of relying on subjective observation alone, we use science based technology such as ForceDecks to inform every step of your rehabilitation or performance plan. This ensures your treatment is:
Individualised
Data-driven
Progressive
Outcome focused
The most important step in recovery is understanding what is actually happening beneath the surface. Without objective testing, hidden imbalances and compensation patterns can go undetected, even when pain has settled.
At E4 Physio, our team’s experience working with professional athletes and active individuals means we prioritise accurate diagnosis, measurable progress and long-term resilience. Using advanced technology such as ForceDecks, we ensure your rehabilitation is data-driven, specific and performance-focused.
If you are recovering from injury, returning to sport, or want a clearer understanding of how your body is functioning, get in touch with one of our physiotherapists at E4 Physio to book a comprehensive force plate assessment.
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