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Hey Team,
Let's explore why incorporating force plates into clinical practice with the general population can be a game-changer for physiotherapists:
Within my clinical practice at the Wakefield Sports & Exercise Medicine Clinic, I predominantly see patients with shoulder injuries. There is a wide range of patient demographics and injury profiles. This can range from rotator cuff tendinopathies, shoulder instability, frozen shoulder, total shoulder replacements, rotator cuff tears, suprascapular nerve palsies, etc etc.
There is definitely a place for force plate testing and the general population, it’s easily applicable to the non-athletic population as we will discuss further below.
Clinical utility of Force Plates tests in the clinical setting.
Weight distribution for post-op patients to build confidence.
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Free run - push up symmetry, single arm hop tests
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Isometric tests - ASH, Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull, ISO Push Up
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Dynamic (and Isometric) tests for shoulder instability and return to work clientele.
1. Enhanced Functional Assessment: *
Force plates offer a detailed analysis of weight distribution and forces during everyday movements. This goes beyond traditional assessments, providing a more holistic understanding of how individuals distribute their weight during activities like walking or standing up from a chair. In my case, how they distribute their weight in a push up position can give me insights to measure any obvious compensatory weight-bearing strategies that they may be displaying. This insight is invaluable for tailoring interventions to address specific functional challenges.
2. Objective Baseline for Progress Tracking:
Utilizing force plates establishes an objective baseline for clients, allowing for precise progress tracking over time. Different tests and metrics are more important depending on the condition and musculoskeletal condition (see table below for examples). This will help us provide quantitative data to set realistic goals and showcase tangible improvements to clients.
| Population | Force Plate Tests | Clinical Utility |
| Shoulder Instability |
ASH Test – I/Y/T
|
ASH test can be used to determine a patient's ability to produce force in (functional) long lever positions (e.g. T for tackling in contact sports) CMPU provides us with eccentric and concentric force production in addition to data on asymmetry during the upper limb plyometric task BDL provides L/R asymmetry data during landing in addition to time to stabilisation between limbs |
| Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain |
ASH Test – I/Y/T
CMPU
Press Jump
|
ASH test can be used to determine a patient's ability to produce force in (functional) long lever positions (e.g. Y/T for throwing or overhead athletes) As above PJ allows for concentric force production/explosiveness in a push direction ISO PU allows for maximum force in a pushing movement. There have been studies to show its correlation with 1RM bench press (I can't remember the reference off the top of my head!) |
| Injured Worker (compensation claim) |
ASH I/Y/T
|
As above, can test patients in their relevant occupational or functional positions to monitor their rehabilitation progressions and to make data-driven decisions. IMTP can provide data on the patient’s ability to produce force through their lower limbs and trunk, with upper limb involvement. It can provide information on components of the kinetic chain with respect to upper limb injury. |
3. Tailored Rehabilitation Programs:
The data from force plate assessments helps in designing tailored rehabilitation programs for individuals in the general population. Whether it's addressing closed kinetic chain imbalances (e.g., push up/plank hold), improving stability during daily activities (landing/stabilization), or managing key performance indicators for functional or work-specific tests, this personalized approach enhances the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions.
4. Patient Engagement and Education:
As discussed in the previous post, integrating force plate technology provides a visual and tangible element to physiotherapy sessions. This not only engages patients in their rehabilitation but also serves as a powerful educational tool. Understanding how their body generates forces during movements empowers individuals to actively participate in their recovery and adopt healthier movement patterns in their daily lives.
In summary, incorporating force plates into clinical practice with the general population expands the toolkit for physiotherapists, offering a more comprehensive and evidence-based approach to functional assessment and rehabilitation. It's not just about athletic performance; it's about optimizing the daily movements that matter to everyone.
Regards,
Ben Onofrio
PS. I help allied health clinicians improve their knowledge and confidence when it comes to assessing and managing shoulder injuries, so they can avoid burnout, save their thumbs, and be seen as the expert!
If you want to learn more, join my free Facebook page for engaging content and videos (Allied Health - Level Up Your Shoulder Game | Facebook), follow me on social media (you can find me at Ben Onofrio and Simple Shoulder Systems) or join my community at benonofrio.com where you can subscribe to my email list to level up your shoulder game.
Interested in learning more?
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