Most of us can’t tell how much harder one leg is working than the other. After a knee operation, an ankle sprain or months of a niggling injury, it’s common to feel back to normal while one side is still quietly doing less. VALD ForceDecks are force plates that measure exactly that. At The Health Hub they’re part of your physiotherapy, not an extra you pay for.
What ForceDecks measure
ForceDecks are two sensitive plates, one under each foot. As you stand, squat, jump, land or push, they record how much force each side produces and how quickly. The results appear on screen straight away, so we can talk them through with you there and then.
- How strong each leg is, and the difference between them
- How you jump and land, and how well you absorb force
- How quickly you can produce force, which matters in sport and when you need to catch yourself after a trip
- Your balance, on one leg and on two
- Everyday movements, such as standing up from a chair
ForceDecks are widely used in professional sport and in rehabilitation clinics.
Who it can help
- Rehab after an ACL injury or knee surgery, where the difference between your legs is one of the things we track before a return to sport
- Runners with injuries that keep coming back
- Padel, tennis, football and other sports with jumping, landing or changes of direction
- Recovery after a hip or knee replacement or ankle surgery, using gentler tests such as standing up from a chair and balance
- Older adults who want to check and improve their balance
- Anyone who wants a baseline to measure their progress against
You don’t have to be an athlete, and you won’t be asked to jump if that isn’t right for you.
What happens during testing
ForceDecks testing happens during a physiotherapy appointment, usually with Martin Ratcliffe, who uses it most, or with Kirk Proto, who uses it as part of his assessments. Your physio will take a history and examine you as normal, then decide whether testing would answer a useful question. If it would, you’ll do a few short tests chosen for your injury and ability, which often take only a few minutes. We’ll show you the results on screen and explain what they mean for your plan. Later in your rehab we can repeat the same tests to see what has changed, which is often more reassuring than going on how a knee or ankle feels on the day. Wear comfortable clothes and trainers.
What the results can and can't tell us
Force plate testing measures strength, power, balance and the difference between your left and right sides. It can’t predict whether you’ll be injured, and no single test decides whether you’re ready to go back to sport. The numbers are one part of the picture, alongside how you move, how you feel and what you’re going back to. Your physio puts them together.
Not everyone needs testing, and more data isn’t automatically better. We use it when it can answer a clinical question, shape your exercises or show your progress.
Who you'll see
Martin Ratcliffe is a chartered physiotherapist who specialises in ACL rehabilitation and return-to-sport planning, and continues to work with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Under-23s. He uses ForceDecks most often. Kirk Proto is a chartered physiotherapist with specialist experience in rehabilitation after knee and hip surgery, and uses ForceDecks as part of his assessments where it helps.
Martin Ratcliffe
Physiotherapist,
Acupuncture Physiotherapist
Martin is a Chartered Physiotherapist with extensive experience in both private practice and elite sport. After completing a degree in Sport and Exercise Science in Liverpool, he went on to qualify in Physiotherapy at the University of Brighton. His early experience in musculoskeletal outpatient care laid the foundation for his passion for rehabilitation and patient-centred recovery.
Martin has a strong clinical interest in knee injuries, particularly ACL rehabilitation and return-to-sport planning. He continues to work with the Brighton & Hove Albion Under-23s, where he plays an active role in the assessment, treatment, and performance management of developing professional athletes. This ongoing involvement in elite football has sharpened his understanding of high-level rehab and the demands of returning to sport both physically and mentally.
At The Health Hub, Martin combines hands-on treatment with tailored, progressive exercise rehabilitation. Whether you’re recovering from ACL surgery, managing chronic knee pain, or aiming to return to sport with confidence, Martin delivers expert, evidence-based care to support your recovery every step of the way.
A keen runner and golfer, Martin brings a real-world understanding of movement and performance to his clinical work, helping patients get back to doing what they love.
Martin works with a number of private healthcare insurance companies including AXA, AVIVA, Simply Health, WPA, Westfield and bhsf.
Insurers Martin Works With
Kirk Proto
Physiotherapist,
Acupuncture Physiotherapist
Kirk is a dedicated Chartered Physiotherapist who retrained following a successful career in the finance sector, graduating from the University of Brighton. He has since built a strong clinical reputation for his thorough, evidence-based approach and is also qualified in medical acupuncture.
With a personal passion for health and fitness, including CrossFit and cricket, Kirk brings both clinical expertise and real-world insight to his work. He treats a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions, with a particular interest in helping patients manage chronic low back pain and nerve-related symptoms, including those caused by spinal disc herniations.
Kirk also has specialist experience in post-operative rehabilitation, particularly following knee and hip surgeries, as well as injuries to the knee, ankle, and shoulder. He uses a tailored combination of techniques including soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, and exercise-based rehab, focusing not just on relieving pain but on restoring function and helping patients return to the activities they enjoy most.
Kirk is recognised by several major private healthcare providers, including AXA, AVIVA, Simply Health, WPA, Westfield, and bhsf.
Insurers Kirk Works With
Prices and insurance
- Initial physiotherapy assessment and treatment (45 minutes): £79
- Follow-up treatment (30 minutes): £64
ForceDecks testing costs nothing extra. If your physio thinks it will help, it’s part of your normal appointment. No GP referral is needed. You pay at your appointment and we’ll give you an invoice to claim back from your insurer if you’re covered. Martin and Kirk are recognised by AXA, Aviva, BHSF, Simplyhealth, Westfield Health and WPA. Check with your insurer before booking, as policies vary.
Frequently asked questions
Questions we’re often asked about ForceDecks testing.
- Does ForceDecks testing cost extra?
-
No. When your physiotherapist thinks it will help, testing is included in your normal appointment at no extra charge.
- Do I need to be an athlete?
-
No. We use ForceDecks with runners and footballers, and also with people recovering from surgery and older adults working on their balance. The tests are chosen to suit you.
- Will I have to jump?
-
Only if it’s right for you. Many useful tests involve standing, balancing, squatting or getting up from a chair.
- Can I book a ForceDecks test on its own?
-
ForceDecks testing is part of a physiotherapy appointment rather than a standalone test. If you’re interested, book a physiotherapy assessment and mention it when you book.
- Can it tell me if I'm going to get injured?
-
No. It measures strength, balance and the difference between your two sides, which helps guide your rehab, but it can’t predict injury.
- How long does testing take?
-
Usually a few minutes within your appointment, depending on which tests are useful for you.
- What should I wear?
-
Comfortable clothes you can move in, and trainers.
Based in Haywards Heath, we see patients from:
You’ll find us at Unit 3, 2-8 Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4EA. There’s free on-street parking on Sussex Road and two pay and display car parks a short walk away, and our entrance, treatment rooms and toilets are wheelchair accessible. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, and Saturday 8am to 1pm.
Book an appointment
If you’d like to know whether ForceDecks testing could help your rehab, book a physiotherapy assessment online and mention it when you book, or call us on 01444 817851.
Testimonials
Latest News
Keep up to date with our latest news.
As the days grow shorter and the weather begins to...
At The Health Hub, we are always looking for ways...