ForceDecks Test: Run-Specific Knee Iso-Push Protocol

Test background

This test was developed by Alex Natera (Manager of Performance Support at NSWIS) as part of his Run-Specific Isometric Assessment Battery, which also includes the Ankle Iso-Push and Hip Iso-Push.

This protocol follows the guidelines provided by Alex, including warm-up and assessment efforts.

More information on the Run-Specific Isometric Battery can be found in Alex Natera's blog post: "Pre-season assessments and monitoring: are returning athletes 'strong enough' to run fast?"

Read blog post

Weigh the individual

1. For weigh in, have the individual stand on both plates to measure their full body weight.

Do not complete the weighing process with the bar included as the test action does not need system mass.

Assume the starting position

• Bar across the shoulders restraining upward movement.
• Chest up and looking forward.
• Active leg on the corresponding plate with the mid-foot underneath the bar and in line with the hip.
• Knee flexed between 135 and 145°.
• Hip flexed between 155 and 165°.
• Inactive leg lifted off the plate to hip height.

Warm up

A general warm up should be conducted before the assessment, in addition to a specific warm up performed immediately before the test, this being:

1. 3 x 3 second efforts at 70%, 80% and 90% effort with 10 second recovery between efforts.

The athlete then rests for 60 seconds before performing either a rapid force assessment or a maximal force assessment.

Perform the test

1. Stabilise - instruct the individual to remain completely still in the starting position for 2-3 seconds before beginning the assessment.
2. Perform the rapid force assessment or maximal force assessment.

Generally, 'Relative Peak Force' is captured and reported for maximal force trials and 'Force at 100ms' for rapid force trials.

After completing your test, click to stop the recording and check the test results. Remember to click Upload to save your test data to VALD Hub.