Force platform

Force platforms or force plates are measuring instruments used to quantify balance (see posturography), gait (see gait analysis), and other parameters of biomechanics, by measuring the ground reaction forces applied to the platform. Most common areas of application are medicine and sports.

Additional recommended knowledge

Correct Test Weight Handling Guide: 12 Practical Tips

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Daily Sensitivity Test

The simplest force platform is a pair of square plates one over another with four pressure gauges between them at the four corners.^[1]

Simpler force plates measure the vertical component of the force in the geometric center of the platform. More advanced ones measure the force at the center of pressure and the location of the COP, still more advanced measure all three spatial components of the force vector and torques for the three spatial axes.

Force platforms may be classified into single-pedestal and multi-pedestal and by the gauge (force and movement transducer) type: strain gauge, piezoelectric sensors, capacitance gauge, piezoresistive, etc., each with its advantages and drawbacks.^[2]

Major manufacturers

• Kistler (www.kistler.com)
• AMTI (www.amtiweb.com)
• Bertec
• Kyowa-Dengyo

References

1. ^ Flemming Bonde-Petersen, "A simple force platform", European Journal of Applied Physiology, Volume 34, Number 1 / December, 1975, pp.51-54 doi:10.1007/BF00999915
2. ^ Iwan W. Griffiths, (2006) "Principles of Biomechanics & Motion Analysis". ISBN 0781752310