VALD Strength Testing in Northwest Indiana
Clinical testing that shows what the eye can’t. Using VALD force plates and the ForceFrame, we measure how you produce and absorb force, uncover side-to-side asymmetries and strength deficits, and use those numbers to guide your treatment from day one.
Book Your EvaluationQuestions first? Call (219) 533-7322
Sound familiar?
We test athletes at every level and active adults. Testing is built into your full plan of care, so every decision we make is backed by data.
Injured and want real data
You want to know exactly where you’re weak, not just how it feels.
Recovering from surgery
You want numbers that show when you’re ready, not just a timeline.
Cleared, but not sure you’re ready
Your timeline says go, but you want proof before you get back to your sport.
One side feels different
Something feels off side to side, and you want to know how big the gap really is.
Plateaued in your rehab
Progress has stalled and you want to know what’s holding you back.
Pain that keeps coming back
Other treatments helped for a while, but the problem keeps returning.
Chasing performance
You want to know how you produce and absorb force so your training targets the right things.
Not sure what to do next
Feeling lost or confused, with no clear plan or approach from another provider.
What we test
Force plates and the ForceFrame let us measure strength, power and control across the whole body.
Jumping & landing
- Countermovement jumps
- Single-leg jumps & hops
- Landing & force absorption
- Side-to-side asymmetries
Lower body strength
- Hip strength
- Hamstring strength
- Quad strength
- Calf & ankle strength
Upper body strength
- Shoulder rotation strength
- Shoulder strength overhead
- Overhead athlete testing
- Side-to-side comparisons
Tracking progress
- Testing at your evaluation
- Progress re-tests
- Return-to-sport benchmarks
- Easy-to-read results
Elite-level testing, right here in Northwest Indiana
We use VALD Performance systems, the same testing technology trusted by professional and Olympic sports programs around the world.
ForceDecks
Dual force plate systemMeasures how you jump, land and balance, capturing the force and timing of each leg so side-to-side differences can’t hide.
ForceFrame
Strength testing systemMeasures strength at the hips, knees, shoulders and more, with exact left-to-right comparisons you can track over time.
Data that guides every step
How something feels doesn’t always match how it’s working. Testing shows how you produce and absorb force, uncovers side-to-side asymmetries and finds the strength deficits that can hold you back. We use those numbers to shape your treatment, re-test as you progress, and make return-to-sport decisions based on data, not a date on the calendar.
Every patient who can benefit from objective testing goes through VALD as part of their evaluation. We capture force, power and side-to-side symmetry and compare it to your own baseline and to athlete benchmarks, so your plan is built on real numbers from day one and every re-test shows exactly how far you’ve come.
Book your evaluation →How testing fits your care
A full hour, 1-on-1
Every visit is a full hour with your clinician, never split between multiple patients.
Testing from day one
We test during your evaluation so your plan targets what’s actually limiting you.
Re-test to track progress
Regular re-tests show exactly how much stronger you’re getting.
Return-to-sport decisions
Clear benchmarks help decide when you’re ready to get back to your sport, job or training.
Part of a full approach
Testing is one piece of a comprehensive plan that includes hands-on care, exercise and everything else you need.
Results you understand
We walk you through your numbers so you know what they mean and what comes next.
Hear it from our patients
Real Proven Performance patients, in their own words.
Functional athlete · From ER-level neck and low back pain to pain-free
Firefighter · Shoulder replacement recovery
How getting started works
Book your evaluation
Send us your details. Our patient coordinator will reach out to answer questions and get you on the schedule.
1-on-1 evaluation
A thorough assessment of the injured area, how you move and how you train, so we understand what's going on and why.
Your plan back to sport
You'll leave with a clear, individualized plan to get back to running, lifting, training or competing.
Have insurance? Most of our patients do.
They use their out-of-network benefits with us, so every visit is a full hour, one-on-one with your therapist, never split between multiple patients. We provide detailed receipts you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement paid directly to you, and after your first visit you’ll know your plan of care and total investment up front.
- HSA
- FSA
- HRA
- Cherry financing
- CareCredit
- In-house payment plans
Patients travel to us from all over
We’re based in Merrillville, and patients come to us from across Northwest Indiana, Chicagoland and Southwest Michigan. Some travel from as far as Milwaukee and the Indianapolis area.
VALD strength testing questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. Indiana lets you see a physical therapist directly, so you can book your evaluation and get started without a referral. If your care continues past 42 days, Indiana requires a referral to keep going, and we’ll coordinate that with your doctor for you.
What is VALD testing?
VALD makes force plates and the ForceFrame, tools that measure the force your muscles produce. Force plates measure how you jump, land and balance, and the ForceFrame measures strength at the hips, knees, ankles and shoulders. Together they show strength deficits and side-to-side asymmetries that are hard to see with the eye.
Can I just come in for VALD testing?
No. VALD testing is a great tool, but we don’t offer it as a single service. We take a comprehensive, full approach, and testing is one piece of it, alongside hands-on treatment, corrective exercise and everything else your plan calls for. Everything starts with a full evaluation so we can build the right plan for you.
Is testing only for athletes?
No. We test athletes at every level and active adults recovering from injury or surgery. Anyone who wants to know where they stand can benefit.
How do I know when I’m ready to return to sport?
We compare your injured side to your healthy side and look at strength, power and how you absorb force. Those results, along with how your body responds to training, guide a step-by-step return to your sport.
Do you take insurance?
We’re an out-of-network clinic. Most of our patients have insurance and use their out-of-network benefits with us. We accept HSA, FSA and HRA, offer Cherry financing, CareCredit and in-house payment plans, and provide detailed receipts you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
Where are you located?
5210 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410. Patients travel to us from all over Northwest Indiana, Chicagoland and Southwest Michigan, including Crown Point, Valparaiso, Dyer, Schererville, St. John, Cedar Lake, Lowell, Hobart, Portage, Chesterton, La Porte, Rensselaer and Chicago.
Book your evaluation
Leave your name, phone and email and our Patient Care Coordinator will reach out within 3–5 minutes during business hours, often sooner, to answer your questions and get you scheduled.
Proven Performance Physical Therapy
5210 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410
Serving Northwest Indiana