Applying Force Plate Technology to Inform Human Performance Programming in Tactical Populations
Force plate assessments, such as countermovement jumps and isometric mid-thigh pulls, examine performances (e.g., jump height, force, power) and movement strategies (e.g., asymmetries, durations), and are best suited to characterize and monitor physical capabilities, not predict injuries. To begin a...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-07-01
|
| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/14/6538 |
| _version_ | 1827687937298399232 |
|---|---|
| author | Justin J. Merrigan Jason D. Stone Joel R. Martin William Guy Hornsby Scott M. Galster Joshua A. Hagen |
| author_facet | Justin J. Merrigan Jason D. Stone Joel R. Martin William Guy Hornsby Scott M. Galster Joshua A. Hagen |
| author_sort | Justin J. Merrigan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Force plate assessments, such as countermovement jumps and isometric mid-thigh pulls, examine performances (e.g., jump height, force, power) and movement strategies (e.g., asymmetries, durations), and are best suited to characterize and monitor physical capabilities, not predict injuries. To begin applying force plate technologies, users must first; (1) develop a data management plan to visualize and capture data over time; (2) select appropriate force plates for their scenario; (3) design appropriate testing protocols to ensure valid and reliable data. Force plate assessments may be added to existing testing, serve as separate testing batteries for annual profile testing to compare individuals and understand initial physical capabilities, or for more frequent testing (i.e., monthly or weekly) to monitor training-related adaptations or neuromuscular fatigue. Although these assessments inform evidence-based program designs, human performance practitioners must understand the considerations for conducting appropriate force plate testing, as well as proper visualizations and management of force plate data. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide evidence-based practices for utilizing force plates in tactical populations (e.g., military, firefighters, police). This includes best practices to implement testing for performance profiling, training adaptations, and monitoring neuromuscular fatigue and force asymmetries. Of note, due to the large amount of force-time metrics to choose from, this article provides general examples of important metrics to monitor and training recommendations based on changes to these force-time metrics, followed by specific examples in three case studies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:45:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-68559287fb3242a3b614aa7e7628f21e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:45:57Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-68559287fb3242a3b614aa7e7628f21e2023-11-22T03:11:23ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-07-011114653810.3390/app11146538Applying Force Plate Technology to Inform Human Performance Programming in Tactical PopulationsJustin J. Merrigan0Jason D. Stone1Joel R. Martin2William Guy Hornsby3Scott M. Galster4Joshua A. Hagen5Human Performance Innovation Center, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USAHuman Performance Innovation Center, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USASports Medicine Assessment Research & Testing (SMART) Laboratory, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USAHuman Performance Innovation Center, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USAHuman Performance Innovation Center, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USAHuman Performance Innovation Center, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USAForce plate assessments, such as countermovement jumps and isometric mid-thigh pulls, examine performances (e.g., jump height, force, power) and movement strategies (e.g., asymmetries, durations), and are best suited to characterize and monitor physical capabilities, not predict injuries. To begin applying force plate technologies, users must first; (1) develop a data management plan to visualize and capture data over time; (2) select appropriate force plates for their scenario; (3) design appropriate testing protocols to ensure valid and reliable data. Force plate assessments may be added to existing testing, serve as separate testing batteries for annual profile testing to compare individuals and understand initial physical capabilities, or for more frequent testing (i.e., monthly or weekly) to monitor training-related adaptations or neuromuscular fatigue. Although these assessments inform evidence-based program designs, human performance practitioners must understand the considerations for conducting appropriate force plate testing, as well as proper visualizations and management of force plate data. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide evidence-based practices for utilizing force plates in tactical populations (e.g., military, firefighters, police). This includes best practices to implement testing for performance profiling, training adaptations, and monitoring neuromuscular fatigue and force asymmetries. Of note, due to the large amount of force-time metrics to choose from, this article provides general examples of important metrics to monitor and training recommendations based on changes to these force-time metrics, followed by specific examples in three case studies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/14/6538countermovement jumpisometric-mid-thigh pullmilitaryground reaction forceforce-time profilingpolice |
| spellingShingle | Justin J. Merrigan Jason D. Stone Joel R. Martin William Guy Hornsby Scott M. Galster Joshua A. Hagen Applying Force Plate Technology to Inform Human Performance Programming in Tactical Populations Applied Sciences countermovement jump isometric-mid-thigh pull military ground reaction force force-time profiling police |
| title | Applying Force Plate Technology to Inform Human Performance Programming in Tactical Populations |
| title_full | Applying Force Plate Technology to Inform Human Performance Programming in Tactical Populations |
| title_fullStr | Applying Force Plate Technology to Inform Human Performance Programming in Tactical Populations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Applying Force Plate Technology to Inform Human Performance Programming in Tactical Populations |
| title_short | Applying Force Plate Technology to Inform Human Performance Programming in Tactical Populations |
| title_sort | applying force plate technology to inform human performance programming in tactical populations |
| topic | countermovement jump isometric-mid-thigh pull military ground reaction force force-time profiling police |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/14/6538 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT justinjmerrigan applyingforceplatetechnologytoinformhumanperformanceprogrammingintacticalpopulations AT jasondstone applyingforceplatetechnologytoinformhumanperformanceprogrammingintacticalpopulations AT joelrmartin applyingforceplatetechnologytoinformhumanperformanceprogrammingintacticalpopulations AT williamguyhornsby applyingforceplatetechnologytoinformhumanperformanceprogrammingintacticalpopulations AT scottmgalster applyingforceplatetechnologytoinformhumanperformanceprogrammingintacticalpopulations AT joshuaahagen applyingforceplatetechnologytoinformhumanperformanceprogrammingintacticalpopulations |