What Technology Do I Start With For My Player Performance Program? Let’s Talk Force Plates!

Introduction: The Rise of Technology in Athletic Performance

Since the 1990s, technology has revolutionized how we track and measure human motion. From the introduction of cameras and electromagnetic trackers to advanced sensors that monitor muscle activity, brain waves, and even eye movements, these innovations have transformed the fields of Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, and Performance Enhancement.

These advancements have gone beyond research labs and academic settings to make a significant impact in professional athletics. Think professional baseball or basketball teams, which are increasingly relying on biomechanists and athletic trainers from academia to help prevent injuries and enhance performance. In fact, organizations like BaseballBiomechanics.org showcase just how much traction biomechanics is gaining at the professional level.

What was once confined to the academic sphere is now reaching university, college, and even high school teams. Private performance centers like Driveline and Jenkins Elite are embracing these innovations, creating opportunities for athletes at every level. The good news? You don’t need to be a major league team to take advantage of these technologies.

So, Where Do You Start?

Many coaches and staff members often ask the same question: Where do I start? The equipment often used in research may seem out of reach due to its high price tag and complexity. But don’t worry, there’s one game-changing piece of technology that’s both affordable and highly effective: force plates.

These devices are portable, easy to integrate with software, and ideal for evaluating large numbers of athletes quickly. When paired with the right software, force plates provide crucial metrics like power and speed, offering a solid foundation for tracking and measuring human performance. As budgets grow, force plates can form the core of a more expansive performance tracking system.

What is a Force Plate?

At its core, a force plate might seem like an advanced bathroom scale. It measures how much force your body applies to its surface, but it does so with incredible precision. Most modern force plates feature four sensors, which are used to measure lateral and vertical forces. These forces are essential for understanding how athletes interact with the ground during movement.

Some force plates only measure vertical force, like the ForceDeck, which is generally more affordable due to simpler design. However, these plates lack the ability to capture the full range of kinetic data.

For more comprehensive data, 3D force plates (which capture three-dimensional force vectors) are the way to go. Manufacturers like Bertec, AMTI, and Kistler produce high-precision force plates that are suitable for both research and performance applications. When purchasing, make sure you understand the expandability, frequency, noise, and sensitivity of the force plate to ensure it meets your needs.

Why Are Force Plates So Popular?

Force plates are used across multiple disciplines for various purposes, including academic research and coaching. In the world of biomechanics, force plates are integral for studying movement dynamics, joint forces, and the organization of the vestibular system (which affects balance).

From a coaching standpoint, force plates are ideal for quickly assessing power and speed in athletes. Using Jump Analysis software, coaches can assess an athlete’s ability to generate power and track improvements over time. These metrics are relevant in nearly every sport, even those where jump height or force application might not seem immediately important – think running, for instance.

Force plates are also increasingly being used in return-to-play decisions. By measuring balance, symmetrical power output, and performance relative to pre-injury levels, force plate data helps determine when an athlete is ready to safely return to their sport.

The Role of Software: Where the Magic Happens

While the force plate itself is impressive, it’s the software that truly unleashes its potential. Some software, like SwingCatalyst, is designed for specific applications—such as analyzing a golf or baseball swing. Others, like Hawkin Dynamics, are focused on measuring jump performance.

For those in need of versatility, the MotionMonitor xGen provides a comprehensive solution that works across various sports and applications. Whether you’re assessing jump mechanics, performing golf swing analysis, or using real-time audio and visual feedback for training, the MotionMonitor xGen can do it all.

The beauty of the MotionMonitor system lies in its expandability—you can integrate additional hardware, like motion capture, video feedback, or EMG sensors, to gain deeper insights into athlete performance. For example, The Sports Surgery Clinic used kinematic data to uncover injury risks that were not visible from force plate strength and performance data alone. The Jump Pro application from The MotionMonitor is scalable, meaning you can keep upgrading as your program grows. This 60 second video is an introduction to the scaleable Jump Pro.