Pain isn’t always the best indicator of performance or readiness. Many athletes return to training feeling great, only to discover hidden strength deficits when the demands of their sport increase. These unseen imbalances can affect performance, increase injury risk, and slow long-term progress.
That’s why at Fick PT & Performance, we use the VALD ForceFrame to objectively measure muscle strength and identify asymmetries that aren’t visible to the naked eye. By understanding exactly where deficits exist, we can create a rehabilitation and performance plan that’s tailored specifically to you.
What is the VALD ForceFrame Max Used For?
The VALD ForceFrame Max is an advanced assessment tool designed to provide objective, isometric strength testing across multiple muscle groups and joints. It can assess strength in the hips, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, quadriceps, groin, and many other areas, making it a versatile tool for athletes and patients alike. Unlike manual strength testing, the ForceFrame Max provides precise, measurable data that clinicians can use to monitor performance, identify deficits, and track progress throughout rehabilitation.
How Do We Use the ForceFrame Max?
Testing with the ForceFrame Max begins by positioning the athlete in the appropriate testing position for the muscle group being assessed. The system also allows clinicians to create custom testing protocols, providing flexibility for different sports, injuries, and patient needs. Before beginning each test, it is important to ensure the athlete is not touching the device while it is zeroed to guarantee accurate measurements. Once the test begins, the athlete applies a small amount of pretension before gradually increasing their effort over 3–5 seconds until reaching their maximum force output. Each assessment is typically repeated for 3–5 trials to ensure reliable and consistent results. This also allows the clinician to track measures of fatigue.
What Does the ForceFrame Max Tell Us?
While every VALD device tracks hundreds of performance metrics, at Fick PT and Performance, the metrics we find ourselves using most often on the ForceFrame Max are: peak force, rate of force development (RFD), and strength asymmetry between limbs. Peak force measures an individual’s maximum strength, RFD assesses how quickly force can be produced, and asymmetry highlights differences between the left and right sides of the body. Together, these objective measurements allow clinicians to make evidence-based decisions and tailor rehabilitation programs to each individual’s specific deficits and goals.
What Injuries Can the ForceFrame Max Help Assess?
The ForceFrame Max is commonly used throughout the rehabilitation process for a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries. At Fick PT and Performance, we have found it particularly valuable when managing hamstring strains, hip pain, rotator cuff injuries, post-operative shoulder rehabilitation, and Achilles tendinitis or tendinopathy. By objectively measuring strength throughout recovery, clinicians can monitor healing, identify ongoing weaknesses, and determine when an athlete is ready to safely progress or return to sport.
How Is the ForceFrame Max Used During Rehabilitation?
Beyond testing, the ForceFrame Max includes a dedicated training mode that transforms objective strength data into guided rehabilitation exercises. Clinicians can create individualized strengthening programs by selecting either a percentage of the athlete’s maximum force or a specific force target they want the athlete to achieve. A tolerance range can also be set, allowing only a specified amount of variation during each repetition. During training, athletes receive real-time visual feedback through a “green zone” displayed on the screen, encouraging them to maintain the prescribed force output for a designated period of time. This biofeedback helps improve strength, correct asymmetries identified during testing, and ultimately reduce the risk of future injury.
What Are Acceptable Strength and Asymmetry Values?
Interpreting results is made simple through the VALD Hub software. The platform provides normative reference data based on an individual’s age, gender, and sport, allowing clinicians to compare an athlete’s performance against appropriate benchmarks. These personalized reference values help determine whether peak force is within an expected range and whether any strength asymmetries require further attention, ensuring rehabilitation goals are based on objective data rather than estimation. In terms of asymmetry, the athlete is expected to achieve an asymmetry of less than 10% to confidently reduce their injury or re-injury risk. While 10% or less is the goal, the smaller the asymmetry, the better.
Objective Data for Better Outcomes
The VALD ForceFrame Max allows clinicians to replace subjective strength assessments with reliable, objective measurements. By accurately tracking strength, power, and symmetry over time, rehabilitation programs can be individualized to each patient while providing measurable evidence of progress. Whether recovering from injury, returning to sport, or optimizing performance, the ForceFrame Max helps ensure every rehabilitation decision is supported by data.
Take the Guesswork Out of Your Strength
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, preparing for your next season, or simply want to perform at your highest level, knowing where you stand is the first step. At Fick PT & Performance, our Sports Physical Therapists use the VALD ForceFrame to objectively measure strength, identify hidden deficits, and create a personalized plan to help you move better, perform stronger, and reduce your risk of injury. Don’t leave your recovery or performance to chance — schedule an evaluation today and discover how data-driven testing can help you reach your goals with confidence.
Ready to see what your body is capable of? Call (720) 480-2866 or schedule your appointment online to get started with Fick PT & Performance.