BLOG
VALD Strength Testing now available at Malvern Physio
Welcome to our Q&A blog, where we discuss the cutting-edge VALD technology used in our strength assessments. These tools are designed to precisely measure muscle group force generation and determine any potential imbalances. The insights below will help you understand how this technology can benefit your rehabilitation and training.
VALD technology can be an invaluable resource for a wide array of individuals. Athletes looking to enhance their performance and reduce injury risk, individuals recuperating post-surgery, particularly after lower limb procedures, and those in the midst of injury recovery who wish to assess and rectify muscle imbalances can greatly benefit from a strength assessment with VALD technology.
During your initial assessment, we will thoroughly review your activity levels, history of previous injuries, and any present concerns or aspirations to inform the customised tests we will conduct. Through VALD technology, we’ll measure the force output of your targeted muscle groups precisely, providing detailed insights into your current capacity and ability to perform.
VALD technology precisely measures the force generation of specific muscle groups, enabling us to ascertain the imbalances and strengths in your musculoskeletal system. It’s a non-invasive approach that provides objective data, which is crucial for informing the subsequent steps in your tailored rehabilitation or training program.
Testing itself will be completed using two different devices. These machines can accurately measure the force your muscles can generate. In most tests, you will be asked to perform the test multiple times to identify your best effort and any trends with repetition accurately. One device is called the VALD DynaMo, a dynamometer that can be used by clipping it onto fixed structures, or held on by the physio (depending on what is best for that test). The second piece of equipment is called the VALD ForceDecks, which are two plates placed on the floor to identify strength properties in your legs with compound movements such as squats. They can also detect jumping and landing properties for each leg, along with balance and control issues. The software for the force decks provides live readouts of the force production and compares the left and right sides.
Absolutely. Individuals who have recovered from an injury yet still experience imbalances will find VALD assessments particularly useful. The technology assists in pinpointing these discrepancies, allowing physios to address them directly through prescribed exercises or therapeutic interventions.
Certainly. VALD technology isn’t exclusively for athletes. Anyone seeking to understand their body’s capability or aiming to recover from injury can profit from these assessments. The technology aids us in crafting a specialised treatment plan that aligns with your personal health objectives, activity level, and lifestyle.
By revealing the underlying imbalances or weaknesses in muscle groups commonly involved in such injuries, VALD technology empowers us to devise preventative strategies and strengthening programs. Continuous monitoring can help ensure you remain on track and reduce the likelihood of re-injury.
Following your assessment, you will be sent a report with the specific results of the tests completed, which you can then share with your therapist(s), strength and conditioning team, coaches, surgeons, etc. We will discuss the results and collaborate with you to develop a customised plan that may include a combination of therapeutic exercises, conditioning programs, or treatment modalities, all aimed at enhancing your recovery and performance while keeping your goals at the forefront.
VALD technology can be utilised as both a one-time assessment tool and an integrated part of ongoing treatment. Depending upon your unique scenario, we might recommend regular assessments to keep a close watch on your progress and dynamically adjust your treatment regimen accordingly.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can find comprehensive information on the VALD technology in the links provided below.
https://valdperformance.com/products/forcedecks
https://valdperformance.com/products/dynamo
We trust this Q&A session has provided you with a clearer understanding of how VALD technology could play a pivotal role in your physio consultation and rehabilitation process. Should you have further queries or wish to book an appointment, please contact our friendly reception team at 9078 8434 or book online at www.malvernphysio.com.au.
Published March 26, 2024
Strength training is typically seen as a way to mould, shape and develop the human body. It achieves these changes through controlled loading of muscle, tendon and bone...
Learn More
Swimming is a fantastic sport that most Australians are introduced to learn at a young age. Programs such as Nippers at surf life saving clubs and other swim...
Learn More
Winter is here, and with it comes the exhilarating promise of skiing and snowboarding. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a family looking forward to your annual ski...
Learn More
Total knee replacement (TKR) ranks among the most commonly performed orthopaedic surgeries, with over 50,000 procedures annually in Australia. This figure is projected to rise substantially in the...
Learn More
How you should prepare your body for the ski season As skiing and snowboarding have become increasingly popular, many enthusiasts often ask why they should prepare their bodies...
Learn More
With the stop and start nature of how COVID-19 have affected most sports this year, it is very likely we will see an increase in new injuries as...
Learn More
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) strength training is a new option in rehabilitation for those needing to increase muscle size and strength, and who also need to reduce the...
Learn More
Training programs set for professional athletes have changed over time as physiotherapists and the sports medicine profession improve their knowledge about how the body responds to exercise. Not...
Learn More
One of the most common questions we get as a diagnosing practitioner is “Do I need a MRI, I’ve been told I should get a scan?”. There is...
Learn More
Good bowel health is an important part of our lives, yet rarely talked about. When discussing this with clients many are surprised at what is considered ‘normal’ for...
Learn More
A research article published in the International Physiotherapy Research journal in June 2010, looked at frequency of exercise therapy in shoulder impingement pain and the long-term outcomes achieved....
Learn More
Osgood-Schlatter Disease Osgood-Schlatter Disease is a common condition that affects the knees, primarily in adolescents, particularly during growth spurts. It is characterised by pain, swelling and tenderness just...
Learn More
What is the Lymphatic System? The lymphatic system consists of a network of organs and tissues that help the body dispose of toxins and other waste products. It...
Learn More
As I write this article, we Melburnians have been locked down for over 240 days since the pandemic began in 2020. It is a burden we could never...
Learn More
The most common cause of heel pain in both the athletic and non-athletic population, is a condition called plantar fasciitis. The suffix ‘itis’ is used to describe an...
Learn More
Pregnancy is an exciting time for expectant mothers, but it can also be a very physically demanding and challenging time for them as well. There are many physical...
Learn More
With all the excitement of having bubs finally at home with the family, mother’s needs are often overlooked. However, this time can be one of the most challenging...
Learn More
For years warm-ups have been an unquestionable must before exercise, however some more recent research suggests static warm-ups don’t prevent injury. Does this mean we should drop the...
Learn More
What is a muscle imbalance? To properly understand what muscle imbalance means, it is essential to understand the fine balance in which our bodies operate. Different types of...
Learn More
Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with arthritis? Have you had a scan showing “bone on bone” or been told you’ll inevitably need a joint replacement?...
Learn More
Some thoughts from Hina on breathing techniques commonly taught in Clinical Pilates. I have been practicing Clinical Pilates for over eight years and teaching for the past five....
Learn More
All the joints in the body have the capacity to make noises, some of which are a cause for concern, others are non sinister things happening within the...
Learn More