VALD Performance Testing in San Diego
Objective insights. Smarter rehab. Faster results.
At Athletic Edge Physical Therapy, our performance testing services use advanced systems from VALD to objectively assess your movement, strength, balance, and power. These tests help identify hidden asymmetries, performance limitations, and injury risk so you can train smarter, recover more efficiently, and perform at your best.
We offer two key assessments:
VALD Dynamo Testing (strength & power profiling)
VALD Force Plate Testing (balance, jump metrics & neuromuscular insight)
Each assessment is delivered one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist who will interpret your results and translate them into actionable recommendations.
Why Performance Testing Matters
Too often, athletes and active individuals “train harder” without truly knowing why they’re stalling, compensating, or re-injuring. Objective performance data tells you:
Where your weaknesses are
Which side is limiting performance
How your strength and power relate to your sport
What movements are predisposing you to injury
How your neuromuscular system responds under load
These tests aren’t about arbitrary numbers — they give you a roadmap for improvement.
VALD Dynamo Testing
Dynamo Testing objectively measures your strength output and power production across key movement patterns. We use reliable force-measuring equipment combined with validated protocols to assess how, how much, and how evenly you produce force.
What We Measure
Maximal force — the highest force your muscles can produce
Rate of force development (RFD) — how quickly force is generated
Power output — key for sprinting, jumping, lifting, and athletic explosiveness
Left-right symmetry — side-to-side force differences
Why It’s Valuable
Reveals underlying weaknesses that limit performance
Identifies asymmetries linked to injury risk
Provides benchmarks to track progress through training or rehab
VALD Force Plate Testing
Force plate testing captures how your body generates and absorbs force in dynamic tasks — think jumps, balance holds, and reactive movements. This gives insight into neuromuscular control, balance, and performance efficiency.
What We Measure
Vertical jump height & power
Landing mechanics
Balance and postural control
Rate of force development during dynamic tasks
Side-to-side asymmetries in movement
Why It’s Valuable
Exposes compensations or deficits invisible to the naked eye
Tracks fatigue effects on biomechanical responses
Helps tailor training and return-to-sport decisions
Quantifies improvement over time
Who Can Benefit?
Force Plate Testing is ideal for:
Post-operative clients (ACL, Achilles, meniscus, etc.)
Functional fitness & CrossFit athletes returning to sport
Runners, field athletes, and weekend warriors
Active adults (ages 38–54) dealing with chronic imbalances or returning to activity after time off
Anyone wanting to understand their strength and symmetry on a deeper level
If you’re active, driven, and want answers—not just opinions—this is for you.
What to Expect
Your VALD Force Plate testing at Athletic Edge PT includes:
Custom Movement Testing
Based on your goals, sport, and current condition. Common tests include countermovement jumps, single-leg squats, and isometric holds.Real-Time Data Analysis
Our therapists explain your results clearly—no confusing jargon. You’ll see exactly how your body is performing.Personalized Recommendations
You’ll leave with a better understanding of what to focus on in training or rehab.
Why VALD?
VALD Performance is trusted by top rehab centers, professional sports teams, and Olympic programs. The system provides accurate, research-backed data we can rely on—whether you're training for competition or just want to stay active without pain.
At AEPT, we bring this elite-level technology into a one-on-one, hands-on setting—giving you the best of both worlds: cutting-edge data with real human care.
Let’s Test Smarter
Don’t leave your progress to guesswork. Get real insights. Get real results.
Book your VALD Performance Testing session today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vald Performance Testing:
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Yes, it’s very safe — and completely non-invasive. It involves movements like standing, jumping, or squatting while you’re being measured. There’s no pain, no electrodes, and no needles — just clean, data-driven insight into how your body moves.
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A force plate testing session usually takes 10-20 minutes, depending on what we’re evaluating. Testing is done during your appointment. Your physical therapist will walk you through each test, review the data in real time, and discuss how it fits into your recovery or training plan.
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Yes — but avoid intense training immediately before testing, especially if we're assessing fatigue, landing mechanics, or readiness to return to sport. You can absolutely train after, and we’ll use your test results to help you adjust movements and reduce injury risk.
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We recommend testing at key phases of your rehab or training cycle:
Baseline (beginning of rehab or off-season)
Mid-program reassessment
Return-to-sport clearance
Pre/post-performance cycle (for athletes)
Consistent testing helps track trends, identify weaknesses, and make smart decisions based on real data. Your physical therapist will guide you through this process based on your injury/goals.
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Because we don’t just hand you numbers — we interpret them with purpose. At AEPT, force plate data becomes actionable insight. Whether you're post-op, chasing a new PR, or just want to move better, we combine cutting-edge tools like VALD with expert clinical judgment to get you results faster and safer.