What Is VALD Testing? | Starke Industries

VALD testing is a set of objective strength and movement assessments that use VALD hardware—most often dual force plates (ForceDecks) and a handheld dynamometer (Dynamo)—to measure how much force a person produces, how quickly they produce it, and how evenly left and right sides share the work. Practitioners use the numbers as monitoring indicators: baselines and re-tests that inform training or rehab decisions, not as diagnoses or predictions of injury. At Starke Industries in Palatine, VALD ForceDecks and Dynamo sessions are part of the assess → analyze → train → re-test process.

What does VALD ForceDecks measure?

ForceDecks are dual, uniaxial force plates that record vertical force over time. From force and time, software derives metrics such as jump height, peak force, rate of force development, impulse, power, and left–right asymmetry for common tests (for example countermovement jump, squat jump, isometric mid-thigh pull, and balance tasks). VALD’s product documentation describes automatic detection of more than 20 movement types. A 2024 peer-reviewed study found ForceDecks showed concurrent validity and test–retest reliability against laboratory force plates for strength, balance, and movement assessment metrics (Collings et al., Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.04.014).

What is VALD Dynamo used for?

Dynamo is VALD’s handheld dynamometer (with inclinometer options in the product range). It measures isometric force at specific joint positions—hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, and grip—so practitioners can track joint-level strength and side-to-side differences that whole-body jump tests alone may not show. Starke Industries lists Dynamo alongside ForceDecks on the VALD testing service page.

How should VALD numbers be interpreted?

Treat each metric as a monitoring indicator. Score changes against that athlete’s earlier sessions when the protocol matches (same warm-up, cues, footwear, and time of day). Thresholds for asymmetry, rate of force development, or jump height are decision rules you choose with your coach or clinician for that context—they are not universal clinical norms and do not diagnose a monitoring indicator by themselves. Re-testing on a set plan (often monthly at Starke Industries) shows whether the training plan changed the measured qualities.

Who typically uses VALD testing?

Athletes who want objective power and strength baselines, people returning from injury who need tracked strength and symmetry numbers, and adults who prefer data-guided training. Results can inform a Starke Industries program or go back to an outside coach or physical therapist.

How do I get started with VALD testing?

Fill out our quick contact form at starkeit.com/contact or call or text (847) 750-3025. Tell us your sport and goals so we can plan a ForceDecks/Dynamo baseline in Palatine.

Related reading

• VALD ForceDecks for Program Design
• VALD Dynamo: Portable Athlete Testing
• Force Plate Testing: What CMJ Data Means
• What Does a PNOĒ Test Measure?
• What Is EWOT?

Sources

• VALD Performance — ForceDecks product page: https://valdperformance.com/products/forcedecks
• VALD Knowledge Base — Understanding ForceDecks test metrics: https://support.vald.com/hc/en-au/articles/4999090004633-Understanding-ForceDecks-test-metrics
• VALD Performance — Dynamo product page: https://www.valdperformance.com/products/dynamo
• Collings TJ, Lima YL, Dutaillis B, Bourne MN. Concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of VALD ForceDecks' strength, balance, and movement assessment tests. J Sci Med Sport. 2024;27(8):572-580. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.04.014 (Crossref confirmed).
• Starke Industries VALD page: https://www.starkeit.com/vald-testing

Fill out our quick contact form at starkeit.com/contact, or call or text (847) 750-3025. Starke Industries is in Palatine, IL.