No guessing. Now we measure.
Included in our podiatry and physiotherapy assessments where it is useful. Teams and clubs, get in touch for a quote.
Feeling better is not the same as being ready.
You can be pain free and still be significantly weaker on one side than the other. That difference does not announce itself. It shows up weeks later when you go back to running, or back to your sport, and the same problem returns. Testing finds it before that happens.
Asymmetry you cannot feel
Side to side differences are common after an injury and very hard to detect by eye or by feel. Many return to sport guidelines use a ninety percent symmetry threshold between limbs as a minimum, and plenty of people who feel recovered are nowhere near it.
Progress you can see
A number at your first appointment and a number six weeks later tells you whether the programme is working. It also tells us when to progress you and when to hold, rather than guessing from how you describe it.
Decisions with something behind them
Returning to sport, increasing your running, coming off a programme. These are easier decisions for both of us when there is data on the table rather than a feeling.
Three tools, one picture.
We use VALD testing technology, the same systems used by professional clubs and sports institutes. Between them they cover strength, power, symmetry and range of movement.
ForceDecks
Two force plates that measure exactly how much force is going through each leg, separately. You stand, squat, jump or hop, and we see the difference between your left and right side in real time. This is where hidden asymmetry usually shows up.
ForceFrame
A fixed frame that lets us test isometric strength precisely and repeatably across the feet, hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and neck. Because the setup is identical every time, the numbers can be compared week to week with confidence.
DynaMo
A handheld device covering more than 300 strength and range of movement tests, including grip strength. It means we can test almost any muscle group on the plinth, in the same appointment, without moving you around the room.
The numbers behind your plan.
Not everyone needs every test. Your clinician picks what is relevant to your problem and your goals.
Strength
How much force a muscle group can produce. We test the specific muscles relevant to your problem, for example calf strength for Achilles pain, quadriceps and hip strength for knee pain, or hip abduction and adduction for groin and hip problems.
Asymmetry
The difference between your left and right side. This is one of the most useful things we measure, because it is almost impossible to judge without equipment and it is a common reason problems return when someone goes back to sport.
Power and reactive strength
How quickly you can produce force, and how well you absorb and return it when you land. Strength alone does not tell you whether someone is ready to run, jump or change direction. Jump and hop testing on the force plates does.
Range of movement
How far a joint moves, measured rather than estimated. Useful for tracking stiffness after an injury or surgery and for checking a range restriction is genuinely improving.
Grip strength
A simple, well established marker of general strength and physical function, particularly useful in older adults. It takes seconds and gives us a benchmark we can track over time.
Our patients, Sports teams and anyone who wants to keep moving well.
If you are being treated here
Testing is part of your assessment where it is useful. We use it to work out what is actually limiting you, to set the right starting point for your programme, and to show you what has changed when we retest.
Sports teams and clubs
Pre season screening, mid season monitoring and return to play decisions, for squads of any size. We can test at the clinic and give you the data in a format your coaching and medical staff can use. Get in touch and we will put together a quote for what you need.
Staying strong as you get older
Strength and balance are two of the biggest factors in staying independent and confident on your feet. Measuring them gives you something concrete to work from, and something to check against a year later.
It is part of your assessment, not an extra.
Testing is included in your assessment where your clinician thinks it will help, whether you are seeing a podiatrist or a physiotherapist. There is no separate fee and no upsell. If it is not going to change what we do, we will not do it.
Physiotherapy Assessment
£75Initial assessmentBook this for sports injuries, joint pain, back pain or rehab after surgery. Strength and movement testing is used here to find what is actually limiting you and to track whether your programme is working.
Foot, Heel and Lower Limb Pain Assessment
£12060 minutesGait analysis includedBook this if something hurts. 60 minutes including hands on examination, video gait analysis and Footscan pressure plate analysis, with strength and movement testing where it is relevant.
Teams and clubs, call us on 028 9079 6666 or get in touch and we will put a quote together.
Clear pricing, before you book.
- Physiotherapy AssessmentInitial appointment, testing included where relevant£75
- Foot, Heel and Lower Limb Pain Assessment60 minutesGait analysis included£120
- Teams and clubsSquad screening and return to play testingContact us
- Strength and movement testing is included in your assessment where it is clinically useful. There is no separate charge for it.
- Not everyone needs every test. Your clinician will pick what is relevant to your problem and explain why.
- Your results are stored securely, so when we retest we can compare directly against your previous numbers.
- Teams and clubs are quoted individually depending on squad size and what you need. Get in touch and we will talk it through.
- Payment is by card.
Frequently asked questions.
What is VALD testing?
VALD is the testing technology we use to measure strength, power and movement objectively. It is used by professional clubs, sports institutes and clinics worldwide. At Assure Health in Carryduff, Belfast we use three of their systems: ForceDecks force plates, the ForceFrame strength testing frame, and the DynaMo handheld device.
Does strength testing cost extra?
No. It is included in your assessment where your clinician thinks it will help, whether you are seeing a physiotherapist or a podiatrist. There is no separate fee. Full pricing is shown above.
Does it hurt?
No. Every test is a controlled effort against a device or a jump onto a force plate, and you are in control of how hard you push. If something is painful we adapt or skip that test.
How long does testing take?
Individual tests take a couple of minutes each. Because testing sits inside your assessment rather than replacing it, we select the tests that are relevant rather than running everything.
Can I be tested without being a patient?
Yes. The Foot, Heel and Lower Limb Pain Assessment at £120 for 60 minutes and suits people who are not in pain but want to understand how they move and where their weaknesses are, as well as people who are.
Can you test our team or club?
Yes. We work with local clubs on pre season screening, mid season monitoring and return to play testing, and we can give you the results in a format your coaching and medical staff can use. Call us on 028 9079 6666 or get in touch and we will put a quote together.
Who runs the testing?
The team here at Assure Health, podiatrists and physiotherapists, as part of your assessment. Testing is only useful if the person interpreting it knows what to do with the numbers, which is why it sits within a clinical appointment rather than standing on its own.
What happens to my results?
They are stored securely against your own record, so when we retest we can compare directly with your previous numbers and show you what has changed.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly with an HCPC registered podiatrist or a chartered physiotherapist at Assure Health in Carryduff, Belfast, online or by phone on 028 9079 6666.
Clinically reviewed by Phil McComiskey, Clinical Director and Podiatrist, HCPC CH34450. Last reviewed September 2026.
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Find out where you actually are.
Book with a podiatrist or a physiotherapist at Assure Health in Carryduff, Belfast, with strength and movement testing included where it helps.