Let me start by introducing myself, I am Tom, a PT with Ebrook Fitness for over a year and have more
recently started sports massage at the clinic. With a background in biology at university I strive to
base my practise around the science of the gym and fitness altogether. I have a passion for seeing
people enjoy what they do, the progress they make and the knowledge gained along the journeys
they start with Ebrook.

Delving further into the science of the gym I have started incorporating Vald technology into my
practice at Ebrook. Vald provides cutting edge sports science technology allowing me to measure,
monitor and manage physical performance in many different fields whether the aim is to profile,
find talent, or rehabilitate.

This skillset enables me to hyper-analyse movements in the gym to pinpoint areas that are limiting
the improvement you need to push towards that next PB or causing that annoying pain in your
hamstring. This analyse is done using;

• Forcedecks, A pair of uniaxial force plates able to record data from movements such as;
  jumps, isometric strength and functional tests
• Dynamo, a handheld dynamometer able to record data from hundreds of different
  movements.

If you are a runner or a cyclist and have been stuck on a time or distance for some time, using the
Vald forcedecks to analyse how your body transfers energy into a jump versus a maximum strength
movement could highlight the reasons that that time just isn’t going any lower. These two tests
alone could open so many training methods with objective results along the way to allow you to
visually see the effect of the training taking place. Whether it shows that the best course of action is
plyometric training as maximal strength test has shown that you already have the strength but you
just can’t utilise quickly, or maybe you are already very ballistic and so the best training approach is
strength training to give more explosive fuel for you to work with.
The possibilities with these technologies are truly endless and with the ability to target specific areas
of training that need the most work or are lagging behind will give you the edge that you need to
progress further with the activities you love to do.

Another aspect of the force decks and the dynamo gives the ability to measure the asymmetry
between unilateral movements. As the forcedecks are two individual devices and the dynamo only
measures one limb at a time, we are able to get readings on both the left and right sides of the body
which is essential for exposing that asymmetry that you didn’t even know was there.
If you find yourself constantly getting pain in your right shoulder in the gym or in your left leg when
you run, being able to highlight asymmetry in movements is vital for developing a counter measure
quickly to avoid the problem persisting.

If you are interested in taking your sport to the next level, finding out if its asymmetry causing you
constant pain or are even just curious to be able to put hard numbers to what you can do. Book
yourself in for a Vald Strength and Range Testing at Ebrook Osteopathy and Sports Clinic.