Vald Technology is used around the world in high performance centers to measure strength, power, movement, assymetries and more. We use VALD’s industry-leading technology to measure strength, balance, and movement so your plan of care is based on real data—not just how you feel on a given day.
At St Pete Physical Therapy we take the guess work out of measuring strength, power, jump height, assymetries, rate of force development and more
Who can benefit
- Everyone who has an orthopedic, musculoskeletal and sports injury
- After surgery- ACL, knee surgery, meniscus, shoulder surgery, rotator cuff repair, shoulder labral repair, hip labral repair, core muscle repair, achilles repair
- Athletes with a muscle or tendon strain ( quadriceps, hamstring, forearm, Biceps, glutes, calf, and more)
- Athletes with a ligament sprain ( high ankle sprain, MCL/ LCL sprain, AC joint sprain)
- Teams: Pre-season testing. When an injury happens, we now have real data to get you back to pre-injury levels of strength and force development
Why Objective testing matters
With VALD technology, we can:
- Measure strength, power, and balance precisely in numbers, not just “better” or “worse.”
- Detect asymmetries between limbs that may not be obvious during a standard exam.
- Track progress over time so you can see exactly how your rehab or performance program is working.
- Make safer return-to-sport and return-to-work decisions using objective thresholds rather than guesswork.
This data-driven approach helps us design smarter treatment plans and gives you clear feedback about your recovery and performance.
- No guessing on left and right assymetries
- Advanced technology: precise technology and analysis
- Athlete centered approach: Tailoring to unique athletic profiles and ability to compare your results to normative data based on age, gender, sport
- Expert Analysis: our sports physical therapists provide in depth analysis and create an actionable roadmap to improve on measured results
- Retesting and Measuring Improvement : Precise tracking of improvement in real time
What does it measure?
- Actual strength output ( max force, average force over a period of time, strength at a specific interval such as 100 ms or 200ms) and asymmetries between left and right side
- Rate of force development: how quickly can you produce force at specific time intervals and asymmetries between left and right side
- Jump height for a variety of different jumps: squat jumps, countermovement jumps, double and single leg jumps and hopping, depth jumps
- Contraction time when jumping ( squat jump, countermovement jump, hop testing, single leg hop testing and more)
- Force absorption when landing from a jump and assymetries between left and right side
- Balance
- Range of Motion
What Muscle groups can be tested?
Almost every major muscle group that is necessary for athletic performance can be tested. Quadriceps, Hamstrings, hip flexors, hip abductors, hip adductors, hip extensors, calves, shoulder internal rotators, shoulder external rotators, biceps, triceps, grip strength and more
What are frequently used tests?
- Force development ( max force and avg force) for quadriceps, hamstrings, hip musculature, calves, rotator cuff muscles : and more
- Squat assessment
- Jump assessments – squat jump, counter movement jump, single leg countermovement jump, double leg hop testing, single leg hop testing,
- landing assessment- double leg land and hold, single leg land and hold, drop jump, single leg drop jump
- Isometric mid thigh pull
What Vald equipment is used at St Pete Physical Therapy
Force Frame, Force Decks and Dynamo are the 3 different Vald Tools
ForceFrame for force development of isolated muscle groups
We commonly use ForceFrame testing for:
- Knee and ACL rehab – measure quadriceps and hamstring strength ratios
- Hip and groin injuries – assess adductor and abductor strength
- Shoulder and upper extremity – evaluate rotator cuff and pressing/pulling strength
Benefits of ForceFrame testing include:
- Clear side-to-side comparisons to identify imbalances
- Return-to-sport guidance based on objective strength criteria
- Motivation—seeing your numbers improve can be incredibly encouraging during rehab
ForceDecks – force plates for jumping assessments, isometric mid thigh pull, squat assessment, balance assessment
The VALD ForceDecks are dual force plates that measure how you distribute force through your lower body. They allow us to quickly assess:
- Jump performance and landing forces
- Balance and postural control
- Load distribution between left and right legs
ForceDecks testing is especially useful for:
- Post-surgical lower extremity rehab (ACL, meniscus, ankle, hip)
- Athletes returning to running, jumping, or change-of-direction sports
Dynamo – for Range of Motion, grip strength and force development if utilizing the Forceframe is not applicable due to positioning, post surgical limitations
VALD Performance Testing Experts
- Makayla Lawrence- Doctor of Physical Therapy and Sports Clinical Specialist
- Jennifer Kurack,-Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
- Patrick Parker – Doctor of Physical Therapy and Dry needling Certified
- Jan Schorpion, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Sports Clinical Specialist
How we use your data
Data only matters if it changes what we do. At our clinic, VALD results are integrated into your plan of care. We use your measurements to:
- Set specific, measurable goals
- Adjust your program when progress slows or when you’re ready to advance
- Communicate clearly with physicians and other providers by sharing objective testing results when appropriate
- Support safer return-to-sport and return-to-work decisions
Over time, we can compare your results to your own baseline and to side-to-side differences to build a clear picture of your recovery or performance.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!