A force plate is a measuring platform with a piezoelectric force sensor in every corner. Force plates can be used to characterize biomechanical processes such as walking, running or jumping, for example, for performance diagnostics in sport, for clinical analyses or in research.
A three-component force plate contains piezoelectric sensors that measure the forces in the three main axes: the vertical, the horizontal and the transverse direction. This information can be used, for example, to answer specific questions in research or to analyze the movement of the center of mass.
Force plates measure the so-called ground reaction force. According to Newton's third law, this is the force that acts on a human body during a movement. At rest, the ground reaction force corresponds to the weight of the body; during movements, this force changes due to acceleration effects. Ground reaction forces are among the most commonly measured biomechanical parameters and help to characterize the movement patterns of a person.
There are mobile and permanently installed force plates. Ideally, the force plate is installed flush with the underlying ground so as to facilitate natural movements. Otherwise, the selection should be based on the application purpose:
In research, permanently installed 3D-systems are normally used. To record complex movement patterns, force plates are used in combination with video cameras or motion-capture systems.
