VALD Testing In Cornwall
Cornwall Physio is the only clinic in Cornwall offering VALD force plate and dynamometry testing. This technology measures neuromuscular function, asymmetries, and force production that standard clinical assessment cannot detect, enabling targeted intervention before injury occurs and evidence-based return to sport decisions. Clients travel from across Cornwall to access this specialist testing as part of integrated rehab pathways.
How Do VALD Movement Tests Work?
VALD testing uses three different systems – Force Decks (force plates), ForceFrame (isometric strength testing), and dynamometry – to measure how your body produces force, how symmetrically you move, and whether hidden weaknesses are increasing your injury risk. Together, these systems test strength, range of motion, stability, and power across a wide range of different assessments.
The testing captures data on countermovement jumps, landing mechanics, isometric strength, and rate of force development. This reveals asymmetries and deficits that look and feel normal during standard clinical testing but significantly increase the likelihood of injury or re-injury.
Athletes who achieve less than 10% asymmetry on VALD testing before returning to sport have a 73% lower re-injury rate compared to those cleared on clinical criteria alone. For active adults recovering from injury, this testing identifies whether you have genuinely regained the neuromuscular capacity to handle the demands of your sport or activity, rather than guessing based on how movement looks.
Why CORNWALL PHYSIO
- Only clinic in Cornwall with VALD Force Decks, ForceFrame, and dynamometry technology
- Testing included as part of advanced treatment pathways and available as standalone sessions
- Objective data on asymmetries above 10% that quadruple ACL re-injury risk
- Rate of force development analysis that detects incomplete recovery missed by standard strength testing
- Specific force production thresholds measured against sport-specific norms
- Testing for runners, field sport athletes, post-surgical patients, and active adults
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Who This Service Is Best For
VALD testing is valuable across a wide range of scenarios. It provides objective evidence during recovery from sports injuries, particularly ACL reconstruction, hamstring strains, groin injuries, and Achilles tendon problems. The testing is equally useful after surgery, including joint replacements, to confirm that strength and symmetry have been restored before returning to full activity. For runners experiencing recurring injuries or field sport athletes preparing for return to play, VALD testing identifies the asymmetries and force production deficits that standard rehab may miss.
The testing also serves as a diagnostic tool when investigating the root cause of new injuries. Often, VALD assessment reveals imbalances that have been present for many years due to historic pains or injuries, providing clarity on why certain movement patterns or pain issues persist. For athletes with no current injury but a history of problems or performance plateaus, the testing acts as a motivator and baseline for targeted rehab plans.
Visiting Cornwall Physio
Cornwall Physio in Carlyon Bay, St Austell is the only clinic in Cornwall offering VALD force plate and dynamometry testing. Clients travel from Truro, Falmouth, Newquay, Bodmin, and across the county to access this technology when standard rehab has not resolved persistent asymmetries or when confidence in return to sport is low. The testing provides objective evidence to identify why injuries keep recurring or why performance has not returned to pre-injury levels despite completing traditional rehab programmes.
VALD testing provides the objective evidence needed to make confident decisions about return to sport and long-term injury prevention.
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