What is VALD assessment technology?
Our VALD assessment equipment is state-of-the-art assessment technology, which can assess anything from the specific strength of isolated muscles, to the force produced with a jump, and everything in between.
Within our program, we have access to the VALD DynaMo and ForceDecks, which typically look at isolated movements (one muscle performing alone) or compound movements (many moving parts working together), respectively.
This data is collected and analysed to determine which areas are requiring further attention in a rehab or gym program. Often the data will assist in checking “blind spots”, which the naked eye cannot determine from a visual assessment alone.
Our clinicians will typically test clients near the beginning of their rehab or gym program, and towards the end to ensure that specific goals and requirements are met.
With our access to this technology, we are swiftly moving from using a time-based approach to rehab, to using a criteria-based approach. This assists us in ensuring that clients are objectively rehabilitated to an optimal standard prior to return to activity or sport.
Seated knee extension dynamometry test showing maximum force output for three reps each lower limb.
How is VALD used within the athlete development program (BIM Academy)?
Assessment types are chosen depending on the sports/activities that our athletes participate or compete in. These are then conducted in a 40-minute session to formulate what we call “baseline data”.
The baseline data is then analysed to determine which areas of the athlete are already falling behind, which helps guide the direction of the athlete’s gym program. Exercises are often selected to help iron out any deficiencies that were identified and make those movements or muscles the new “strengths” for that specific athlete.
Our athletes are then retested after six-weeks of their program, to determine which areas have made improvement, and to again find areas that may need extra attention. This process is then repeated at the end of our athlete’s program, at 12-weeks.
Countermovement jump data analysis for four metrics (selected above), determining levels of asymmetry between each limb.
Author: Jacob Calvert (Physiotherapist)