Test, don't Guess!!
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Smarter Rehab, Better Performance:
Introducing VALD Performance Analysis at The Bike The Body
If you’ve ever been told to “just strengthen it” or “see how it feels,” you’ll know how vague rehab and performance advice can sometimes be. The reality is, without accurate measurements, it’s difficult to know exactly what’s improving—and what isn’t.
That’s why we’ve invested in industry-leading testing technology, including VALD force plates and a handheld dynamometer. These tools allow us to take the guesswork out of both rehabilitation and performance, giving you clear, objective data to guide every step of your journey.
What This Means for You
At its core, this technology allows us to measure how your body is actually performing—not just how it feels.
Whether you’re recovering from injury, struggling with recurring niggles, or looking to improve your cycling performance, we can now:
• Identify weaknesses and imbalances with precision
• Track your progress over time with real data
• Build structured rehab programmes based on measurable deficits
• Make informed decisions about when you’re ready to return to full training.
VALD Force Plates: Understanding How You Produce Force
Force plates measure how much force you produce and how you produce it.
This gives us insights into areas like:
• Left vs right leg asymmetry
• Explosive strength and power
• Balance and stability
• Movement strategies during tasks like squats or jumps which give great insight into overall athletic performance capacity whether that's on the bike, running or in field sports.
👉 Why this matters:
Even small imbalances can lead to inefficiency on the bike or increase your risk of injury. By
identifying these early, we can target them directly and improve both performance and resilience.
Handheld Dynamometer: Measuring Strength Accurately
A dynamometer allows us to measure the strength of specific muscle groups in a precise and repeatable way. Instead of estimating strength, we can now quantify it.
This is particularly useful for:
• Knee injuries (e.g. quad strength deficits)
• Hip and groin pain such as glute tendon, hip impingement etc
• Hamstring strength and imbalance
• Shoulder and rotator cuff pain
• Post-surgery rehabilitation
👉 Why this matters:
You might feel “stronger,” but objective testing often reveals whether one side is still lagging behind. This is critical for reducing re-injury risk and ensuring a full recovery.
From Testing to Results: A More Structured Approach
The biggest benefit of this technology isn’t just the testing—it’s what we do with the results.
Using your data, we can design a structured rehab or performance programme that is:
• Specific to your weaknesses
• Progressively loaded based on measurable improvements
• Continuously adjusted using re-testing
This means your programme evolves as you improve, rather than staying static or relying on guesswork.
Tracking Progress You Can Actually See
One of the most motivating aspects of objective testing is being able to clearly see your progress. Instead of relying on subjective feedback alone, you’ll be able to:
• See strength increases over time
• Track reductions in asymmetry
• Understand when you’re ready to progress or return to sport
Who This Is For
This approach is ideal for:
• Cyclists dealing with pain or discomfort on the bike
• Riders feeling imbalanced or "twisted" on the bike
• Athletes returning from injury
• Anyone who feels “stuck” in their rehab
• Riders looking to optimise performance and efficiency
Ready to Take the Guesswork Out of Your Training?
If you want a clearer, more structured approach to rehab or performance, we now have a new game changer at the clinic to help you.
VALD performance testing equipment is used throughout our bike fitting and physio services to take your cycling performance, injury rehab, and recovery to the next level.
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