Force plates are instruments that measure the magnitude and timing of ground reaction forces (GRF). According to Newton’s third law of motion a GRF is the force exerted by the ground on a body in contact with it. Force plate testing allows coaches and athletes (individuals and teams) to obtain objective and detailed data about jumping and landing performance, as well as measures of isometric strength, in order to build athlete strength and power profiles.
Though not necessarily sport-specific, force plate testing provides us with neuromuscular information from which we can draw sport-specific insights.
Common tests administered using force plates include the countermovement jump (CMJ), the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), the squat jump (SJ) and the drop jump (DJ).