VALD Strength Testing: Why Outcome measures matter to us to Improve Rehab Outcomes

Maddie Cherry
9 hours ago
6 min read

October 2025

VALD Strength & Movement Testing in Geelong - Using Data to Track your Progress

When you come to see a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist at MOVE, your goal is usually pretty simple. You are wanting to feel better, move better, and get back to doing the things you love.

But as the days, weeks and months go by, sometimes it's hard to see how if you're improving.

So how do we actually know if you’re getting better? That’s where VALD strength testing and outcome measures come in.

Male physiotherapy discussing data outcomes with patient

What are outcome measures?

Outcome measures are the tools we use to track your progress. They might include tests to assess your strength, power, range of motion & balance assessments, or questionnaires about your pain levels, confidence, or daily activities. Think of them as checkpoints that help us see where you started, how far you’ve come and where we can keep improving.

Why does this matter to us?

We don’t just want to guess how you’re going, we want data! By using VALD strength testing and outcome measures, we can:

Show your progress in clear, measurable ways
Adjust your program to make sure it’s working as well as possible
Spot any obstacles early, before they slow your recovery
Keep you motivated by celebrating your wins along the way

It’s one thing to feel better, but it’s even better to see the results. Many of our patients love watching their scores improve because it’s proof that all their effort and consistency are paying off.

Why does this matter to you?

Outcome measures help us deliver care that’s personalised and evidence-based. They make sure every exercise, stretch, and session has a clear purpose. And most importantly, they help you feel confident that you’re on the right track, whether your goal is to get out of pain, return to sport, or simply move more freely day to day.

At our clinic, we believe your progress should be more than just a feeling, it should be something you can see, measure, and celebrate! Because when it comes to your health, every bit of progress matters.

What kinds of testing do we use at Move?

VALD Strength Testing

We use advanced VALD technology to measure your muscle strength safely and accurately. This helps us identify any imbalances or weak spots, so we can tailor your program to what your body really needs.

Functional Strength Testing

We also look at how your body performs in everyday, meaningful movements such as:

Sit-to-Stand (STS) in 30 seconds: to assess leg strength and balance
Calf Raises - measuring the maximum you can complete with either both legs or single leg: to track lower leg endurance and stability
Maximum testing of Bridges, Squats, Deadlifts, and Push-Ups – to measure total-body strength and control

These tests help us see how your strength translates into real-world movement.

VALD Force Plate Testing

Our force plates measure how you generate and absorb force, which gives us detailed insights into your power, balance, and stability. This technology was originally designed for professional sports teams, but can also be used to help you achieve your best too!

A couple of tests we regularly use in clinic on the force plates are:

The Counter Movement Jump (CMJ):

The CMJ tests how high you are able to jump vertically. This also gives us data on the rate and amount of force you can produce and if there are any asymmetries in force production between your left and right side - demonstrated in the graph below.

Isometric Mid Thigh Pull test (IMTPT):

The Mid-Thigh Pull is an isometric strength test that measures how much total-body force you can produce, particularly from your legs and hips, which are key muscles for jumping, sprinting, and lifting.

How it works:

You stand on the VALD force plate and hold a fixed bar (it doesn’t move).
The bar is set around mid-thigh level, similar to the position during the pull phase of a clean or rack-deadlift.
You then pull as hard and fast as you can against the bar for a few seconds — but since the bar doesn’t move, your joints stay still (that’s what “isometric” means).
The system measures exactly how much force you produce and how quickly you can produce it.

You can see the movement and the graph below demonstrating the results from a test. This helps us to understand the exact amount of force you can produce and whether there is a difference between your left and right sides

VALD Range of Motion Testing

These assessments show how freely your joints are moving and help us monitor improvements in mobility as your rehab progresses.

Balance Testing

We use a variety of simple but effective balance tests, like the CTSIB (Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Step Tap Test — to assess both your static balance, dynamic stability and coordination. Whether you’re returning to sport or just want to feel steadier on your feet, these tests help us to guide your progress.

A balance test performed on the VALD force plates can help us to see how you are balancing through your feet and the strategies you might be using for balance. When you stand on a force plate, it measures the tiny movements and forces your body makes to stay balanced.

Even when you think you’re standing still, your body is constantly making small adjustments — shifting weight through your foot and changing muscle tension — to keep you upright.

Here’s what the force plate does:

It records the pressure and force you apply in real time.
It tracks the movement of your center of pressure (COP) which is the exact point under your foot where your body weight is balanced.
The plate detects how much and how quickly that point moves around while you try to stay steady.

What this tells us:

Stability: How well you can maintain control on one leg.
Sway: How much your body moves side-to-side or front-to-back.
Balance strategy: Whether you rely more on your ankle, knee, or hip to stay upright.
Symmetry: Comparing your left and right legs to see if one is less stable (often important after injury).

Grip Strength

Female exercise physiologist taking patient though a body composition analysis scan at Move Sports Physiotherapy & Pilates

Grip strength is a great overall indicator of upper body function and general wellbeing. Tracking it helps us see how your strength improves over time, and it’s quick and easy to test!

Fit-test (Treadmill Test)

Our Fit-test treadmill test gives us an estimate of your VO₂ max, a key measure of cardiovascular fitness and endurance. It’s perfect for setting personalised fitness goals and tracking improvements in your aerobic capacity.

Tanita Body Composition Testing

Our Tanita body composition analysis gives you a detailed picture of what’s happening inside your body including; muscle mass, bone mass, body fat percentage, water balance and metabolic health indicators. It helps us understand how your body is changing as you train or recover, giving more meaning to your progress than just a number on the scale.

By using these tests, we can track your progress, celebrate improvements, and fine-tune your program. With hard data you'll be able to see the changes in your strength, balance, and fitness, alongside feeling great.

Every session has a purpose, and every result shows you just how far you’ve come. With clear measurements guiding your journey, you can stay motivated, confident, and excited about what’s next.