The influence of common testing floor surfaces on force plate data: Implications for standardisation

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Science
• Performance Analysis

Background:

• Force plate testing is a standard method for evaluating athlete performance.
• Limited research exists on how the underlying surface affects force plate data.
• Variability in testing surfaces may introduce inconsistencies in performance assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of different surfaces under a force plate on key performance variables.
• To determine if flooring type affects force reduction, peak force, rate of force development (RFD), and contact time.
• To provide evidence for standardizing force plate testing environments.

Main Methods:

• A mechanical testing device was employed for controlled and repeatable impacts, avoiding human variability.
• Seven common surfaces (vinyl, rubber, Olympic platform, two carpet types, Mondo track, sprung floor) were tested.
• Derived variables including force reduction, peak force, RFD, and contact time were measured for each surface.

Main Results:

• Significant differences (p < 0.05) in all measured variables were observed across different flooring conditions.
• Effect sizes ranged from large to extremely large, indicating substantial impact of the surface.
• Sprung flooring yielded the highest force reduction and lowest peak forces, while CarpetF showed the lowest RFD and longest contact time.

Conclusions:

• The flooring surface beneath a force plate demonstrably influences derived performance metrics.
• Practitioners must consider the testing location's flooring to ensure reliable and valid results.
• Standardization of flooring surfaces is recommended for consistent and accurate force plate data collection in sports science and performance analysis.