BPED 52: Exercise Physiology on Exercise and Physical Activity
Unit I
FORCE PLATES
Belisario I.K, Buctolan M.A, GABUCAN S.M, TEMARIO, W.
WHAT IS FORCE
PLATES?
Force plates are mechanical sensing
systems designed to measure the ground
reaction forces and moments involved in
human movements. A force plate relies
on the use of load cells to determine
forces. The load cells may contain
piezoelectric elements, strain gauges, or
beam load cells.
I. INTRODUCTION
Force Plates are essential tools in biomechanics research and clinical settings, providing
quantitative data on ground reaction forces (GRFs) during movement. These platforms measure
the forces exerted by a person or object on the surface, The precise measurements of GRFs
allows researchers and clinicians to analyze various aspects of movement, including the
magnitude, direction, and timing of forces.
The use of force plates has expanded significantly across various disciplines, including sports
science, rehabilitation, and ergonomics. Force plates operate on the principle of strain gauge
technology. Strain gauges, tiny electrical resistors, are embedded within the plate’s surface.
When force is applied the plate deforms slightly, causing a change in the resistance of the strain
gauges (Merrigan, J. et al. 2021).
II. BODY
WHAT IT DOES?
Applications of force plate technology are diverse and extend
across various fields. In clinical settings, force plate data is crucial
for gait analysis, aiding in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of
movement disorders.
WHAT DOES IT MEASURES?
This technology enables researchers to quantify critical
parameters like force magnitude, direction, and timing, offering
valuable insights into various aspects of human performance.
In sports science, force plates are widely used to assess athletic
performance, such as jump height, power output, and running
mechanics.
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the body of literature demonstrates that
force plate technology serves as a powerful tool across
various domains, including sports performance, tactical
training, clinical gait analysis, and egronomic assessments in
surgical settings. The insights gained from force plate data not
only enhance performance and safety but also contribute to
the overall advancement of human movement science.
Moreover, the continuous development of force plate
technology has opened new possibilities for personalized
training programs, rehabilitation protocols, and injury
prevention strategies.
references:
Beckham, G., Suchomel, T., & Mizuguchi, S. (2014). Force plate use in performance
monitoring and sport science testing. New Studies in Athletics, 29(3), 25-37.
Lee, G., Lee, T., Dexter, D., Godinez, C., Meenaghan, N., Catania, R., & Park, A. (2009).
Ergonomic risk associated with assisting in minimally invasive surgery. Surgical endoscopy,
23, 182-188.
Merrigan, J. J., Stone, J. D., Martin, J. R., Hornsby, W. G., Galster, S. M., & Hagen, J. A.
(2021). Applying force plate technology to inform human performance programming in
tactical populations. Applied Sciences, 11(14), 6538.
Sutherland, D. H. (2005). The evolution of clinical gait analysis part III–kinetics and energy
assessment. Gait & posture, 21(4), 447-461.
THANK
YOU VERY
MUCH!
