VALD Force Plate Testing in Palatine, IL
Uncover hidden imbalances in strength, power, stability, and range of motion with VALD's objective performance testing. Track your progress and optimize your potential with data-driven insights.
Eliminate the guesswork in evaluations
Using industry-leading tools like Force Decks and Dynamo, providing objective data on key performance metrics, including:
- Force development
- Force absorption
- Rate of force development
- Balance
- Muscular imbalances in the body
And much more!
These evaluations are highly recommended for all physical therapy and performance training clients. These comprehensive tests offer a detailed objective analysis of current health and performance status, enabling the ability to design a more effective custom plan tailored to specific needs.
Following the evaluation, a personalized report will be delivered along with a thorough explanation of the results and what they mean for your goals. To track your progress and ensure continuous improvement, periodic re-tests, typically on a monthly basis are conducted. This approach allows us to monitor development, adjust the plan as needed, and ensure desired results.
Training hard isn't the same as training right
Most athletes train power, but very few ever measure it. You might feel stronger, or your vertical jump might go up an inch. Feelings aren't data, though.
Without a baseline you can't tell:
- whether your training is making you more explosive
- whether one leg is doing more of the work than the other
- whether a strength gap is quietly raising your injury risk
A small difference between your left and right side is normal. A large one limits performance and makes the weaker side's joints absorb stress they weren't built for. You won't see it in the mirror. A force plate shows it in seconds.
What VALD testing measures
ForceDecks (force plates)
ForceDecks capture how much force you produce, how fast you produce it, and how evenly your body shares it, all in milliseconds. Depending on your sport and goals, testing can include:
- Countermovement jump: lower-body power and how well you use the stretch-shortening cycle that drives sprinting, jumping and cutting
- Squat jump: pure concentric power, with no countermovement to help
- Repeated hop test: reactive strength and how quickly you get off the ground
- Isometric mid-thigh pull: maximal strength and rate of force development
- Run-specific isometrics: ankle, knee and hip push tests that show the strength behind acceleration, top speed and change of direction
Dynamo (handheld dynamometer)
Dynamo measures strength at individual joints, including:
- isometric strength at specific joint positions, to find side-to-side weaknesses
- grip strength
- the Athletic Shoulder (ASH) test at 90°, 135° and 180°, for throwing, swimming and overhead athletes
What the numbers tell you
- Peak force is how much force you can produce. If it's low, the priority is building maximal strength.
- Rate of force development is how fast you produce force. Sport rarely gives you time to reach peak force, so speed of force matters.
- Jump height and power show whether your training is actually making you more explosive.
- Asymmetry is the percentage difference between your left and right side. It's one of the clearest flags for injury risk and wasted power.
Each number points to a training decision. Low peak force calls for strength work. High force with a low jump calls for speed-strength work. A large asymmetry calls for unilateral and corrective work first.
Assess → Analyze → Train → Re-test
- Assess. You test on the ForceDecks and Dynamo to set your baseline.
- Analyze. You get a personalized report, and we walk you through what each result means for your goals.
- Train. Your program is built around your data. Train with us, or take your results back to your current coach, team or physical therapist.
- Re-test. Periodic re-tests, typically monthly, use the exact same protocols, so you can see what changed and we can adjust the plan.
Everything is measured. If something isn't improving, we see it and change course.
Who VALD testing is for
- High school and competitive athletes who want to get faster, jump higher and stay healthy
- Parents who want proof their athlete's training is working
- Physical therapy and return-to-play clients who need objective strength and symmetry numbers
- Adults focused on fitness and longevity who want to train from data instead of guesswork
Why test with Starke Industries
- Equipment used by sports science teams worldwide: VALD ForceDecks and Dynamo
- Data turned into a plan: testing is the start of an individualized program, not a one-off printout
- Integrated with the rest of your training: results connect with our biomechanics, sensory, nutrition and recovery services
- Local: 122 W Northwest Hwy, Palatine, serving athletes across the northwest suburbs
VALD testing FAQ
What is VALD force plate testing?
It uses VALD ForceDecks, dual force plates that measure the force you produce during jumps and isometric pushes. You get objective numbers for power, strength, rate of force development and left-to-right imbalances, captured in milliseconds.
What's the difference between ForceDecks and Dynamo?
ForceDecks measure whole-body tests like jumps and isometric pulls. Dynamo is a handheld dynamometer that measures strength at individual joints, such as the hip, knee, ankle and shoulder, plus grip strength.
Who should get VALD testing?
Athletes who want to get faster and more explosive, athletes coming back from injury, physical therapy clients, and anyone who wants their training built on data instead of guesswork.
Can I get tested if I already train somewhere else?
Yes. You can test with us and take your report back to your current coach, team or physical therapist, or train with us using your results.
How often should I re-test?
Typically monthly. Re-testing with the same protocols shows whether your training is producing real change, and it tells us when to adjust your program.
What do I get after testing?
A personalized report and a walkthrough of what your results mean, plus training recommendations built around your numbers.
Is force plate testing safe for young athletes?
Yes. The tests are jumps and short, controlled isometric pushes, the kind of movements athletes already do in training.
How do I get started?
Reach out through our contact page or call (847) 750-3025. We'll talk about your goals and set up your baseline test at our Palatine facility.
Find out where you really stand
Get a baseline, train with a plan built for you, and prove it worked with a re-test.
Get In TouchVALD Performance Testing offers precise, objective data using advanced tools like Force Decks and Dynamo.
- Advanced Technology: Precise analysis using VALD's renowned performance testing systems.
- Athlete-Centered Approach: Tailored testing based on your unique profile and needs.
- Expert Analysis: Skilled team providing in-depth insights and actionable recommendations.
- Integrated Care: Personalized training and rehabilitation linked to your testing results.
- Trusted by Professionals: Preferred worldwide by athletes and trainers for accuracy and innovation.
Unlock Your Full Potential Today
Leverage the power of VALD Performance Testing with advanced tools like Force Decks and Dynamo. Get precise, objective data to identify imbalances and track your progress. Start optimizing your performance now!
TESTIMONIALS
About Us
At Starke Industries, the mission is to bridge the gap between the medical and fitness industries to optimize human performance. As the first stage of preventative medicine, evidence-based practices and comprehensive assessments, create customized data-driven training programs. This ensures the effectiveness, long-term health and the ability to reach full potential, whether you're an elite athlete or focused on overall fitness.
Contact Us
122 West Northwest Highway, Palatine IL 60067
Phone: (847) 750-3025
Email: tyler@starkeit.com
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