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Dr. John McMahon on The Future of Force Plates in Athletic Performance

Published 1 year, 5 months ago
Description

It seems like everybody and their mother is talking about force plates these days.

And I’m obviously guilty of it myself…but only because I feel like force plates are the single-most impactful thing I’ve added to my coaching in the past five years.

But what if you’re not a sports scientist – how do you get started?

What tests should you use?

And what metrics should you be looking at?

Well if you’re curious at all about force plates or how to use them, you’re going to love today’s episode with Dr. John McMahon!

Dr. McMahon is the Director of Research and Education at Hawkin Dynamics. He is also an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Salford, where he previously worked for more than a decade as a biomechanics researcher and educator.

John has authored over 100 published journal articles and has presented his force assessment research at multiple international conferences spanning the fields of strength and conditioning, sports biomechanics, and sports science.

And in this episode we’re going to take a deep dive into force plates and how to use them!

 

Testing should feel like part of coaching.

Dr. John McMahon

 

12 Quick Takeaways from the Physical Prep Podcast:

  1. Force plates provide valuable insights into athletic performance.
  2. Start with basic tests to build confidence in using force plates.
  3. Key tests for performance include counter movement jumps and isometric pulls.
  4. The ODS framework helps link output metrics to performance drivers.
  5. Athletes need to be educated on how to interpret their performance data. Communicating results to athletes is crucial for understanding.
  6. Relative forces are more significant than absolute forces.
  7. Tracking metrics helps refine coaching programs.
  8. Athlete motivation and effort are key to accurate assessments.
  9. Observing athletes during tests is essential for accurate data.
  10. Engaging with athletes during testing enhances the experience.
  11. Reducing the number of metrics can prevent overwhelm.
  12. Focus on the human aspect of coaching, not just data.