VALD Performance Assessment
Assessment Stage: Baseline Assessment
Included in Future Health Assessment: Yes
Partner: VALD Health
Provider: PMQ Health
Approximate Cost: Included in the Future Health Assessment
What is it?
The VALD Performance Assessment is a comprehensive, objective assessment of strength, power, balance and movement quality using laboratory-grade force measurement technology.
Unlike traditional manual strength testing, VALD provides precise, repeatable measurements that allow subtle weaknesses, asymmetries and changes over time to be identified.
Maintaining muscle strength and power is one of the strongest predictors of healthy ageing, independence and quality of life.
What does it measure?
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Double-leg balance (Eyes Open)
Double-leg balance (Eyes Closed)
Single-leg balance
Left-right asymmetry
Postural stability
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Countermovement Jump
Peak Power (W/kg)
Jump Height
Rate of Force Development (RFD)
Eccentric Deceleration
Force Asymmetry
Sit-to-Stand
Functional lower limb power
Functional strength
Movement efficiency
Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull or Isometric Squat
Maximum force
Relative strength
Lower body force production
Isometric Calf Push
Plantarflexor strength
Calf force production
Lower limb symmetry
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Knee Extension
Left quadriceps strength
Right quadriceps strength
Limb asymmetry
Hip Abduction
Left hip strength
Right hip strength
Limb asymmetry
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Grip Strength
Left grip strength
Right grip strength
Grip asymmetry
Push Assessment
Shoulder Flexion (90°)
Upper body pushing strength
Left-right asymmetry
Pull Assessment
Shoulder Extension (0°)
Upper body pulling strength
Left-right asymmetry
Why is it important?
Muscle strength, muscle power and balance are among the strongest predictors of:
Falls risk
Frailty
Osteoporosis-related fracture risk
Functional independence
Mobility
Exercise performance
Healthy ageing
All-cause mortality
Power declines earlier than strength with ageing, making objective assessment particularly valuable for identifying early decline before disability develops.
Who may benefit?
Recommended for:
All adults undertaking a Future Health Assessment
Adults over 40 years
Healthy ageing programmes
Athletes
Patients recovering from injury
Patients beginning resistance training
Individuals concerned about falls or declining physical function
What happens during the assessment?
The assessment consists of a series of guided strength, balance and power tests using VALD force measurement systems.
Most tests require brief maximal efforts lasting only a few seconds.
The assessment usually takes 20–30 minutes.
Preparation
Wear comfortable exercise clothing.
Wear supportive footwear.
Avoid strenuous lower-body exercise immediately beforehand where possible.
Inform your clinician of any recent injuries.
Advantages
Objective measurements
Highly reproducible
Extremely sensitive to change
Detects left-right asymmetry
Tracks progress over time
Evidence-based
Useful for both healthy ageing and athletic performance
Limitations
Acute pain or injury may influence results.
Performance can be affected by fatigue.
Results should always be interpreted alongside medical history, body composition and physical activity.
How Future Health uses this investigation
VALD results are integrated with:
DEXA body composition
InBody analysis
VO₂ Master assessment
Nutrition
Physical activity
Medical history
Together, these assessments provide a comprehensive picture of physical capability, helping identify opportunities to improve strength, reduce injury risk, preserve independence and support healthy ageing.
Future Health Summary
Strength, power and balance are fundamental to lifelong health. The VALD Performance Assessment provides an objective measure of physical capability, allowing personalised exercise recommendations that support mobility, resilience and independence well into later life.