PlateMate Force Plates: Practical Force Measurement for Coaches, Physios, and Performance Staff

Force plates have become one of the most valuable tools in modern performance environments. What used to be confined to biomechanics labs is now part of daily monitoring in gyms, clinics, and training centres. Coaches and clinicians increasingly rely on objective force‑time data to complement their own judgement—whether they’re tracking neuromuscular readiness, managing return‑to‑play progressions, or simply trying to understand how an athlete produces force and absorbs energy.

PlateMate was developed with this practical reality in mind. Built by a small team in Odense, the system aims to make force‑plate testing accessible without compromising data quality or locking practitioners into restrictive software ecosystems. The philosophy is simple: provide reliable measurement, remove unnecessary friction, and let practitioners use the data in the way that best fits their environment.

What You Can Test—and Why it Matters

PlateMate is a dual‑plate system, allowing each foot to be measured independently. This is essential for identifying asymmetries, compensations, and side‑to‑side differences that often go unnoticed in traditional assessments. The system supports the test categories practitioners rely on most: jumps, balance tasks, isometric strength tests, and simple movement assessments.

From these tests, the ForceMate software generates a wide range of metrics—jump height, peak force, rate of force development, reactive strength index, eccentric braking characteristics, and more. Over 100 base metrics are available, expanding to more than 200 when left/right variants are included. All data can be exported, and the API is open, allowing integration with custom dashboards or athlete‑monitoring systems.

For practitioners, this means the system can be used for quick readiness screens, detailed return‑to‑play evaluations, or long‑term monitoring of training adaptations. The dual‑plate setup ensures that even when global outputs look normal, subtle asymmetries or changes in force strategy can still be detected.

Built For Fast, Repeatable Testing

A force‑plate system only becomes valuable when it fits seamlessly into daily workflow. PlateMate connects via a single USB cable, allowing testing to begin within seconds. An optional wireless module adds Bluetooth and iPad support for field‑based environments.

Each plate weighs under 10 kg, making the system portable enough for practitioners who move between gym, pitch, and clinic. Sampling at 960 Hz with 0.15 N precision and a 4,000 kg load capacity per plate ensures that the data is robust enough for both performance and clinical applications.

In practice, this means a coach can run a pre‑session CMJ screen without slowing down training, a physio can assess asymmetry during a rehab session, and a sport scientist can collect longitudinal data without needing a dedicated lab space.

How Force Plates Support Applied Decision‑Making

Force plates are often associated with jump height, but their real value lies in the force‑time characteristics that underpin performance. These metrics help practitioners understand how an athlete produces force, not just how much.

Examples of applied use include:

• Return‑to‑play progressions: An athlete may regain strength but still show reduced eccentric braking force on the affected limb.

• Fatigue monitoring: Rate of force development may decline before peak force does, offering an early indicator of neuromuscular fatigue.

• Performance profiling: Athletes with similar jump heights may rely on very different force strategies, guiding individualized training interventions.

• Movement quality assessment: Landing asymmetries or compensatory patterns can be quantified rather than estimated visually.

These insights help practitioners make more informed decisions, refine training prescriptions, and communicate progress clearly to athletes and staff.

A Different Approach to Cost and Ownership

One of PlateMate’s defining characteristics is its pricing model. The system is a one‑time purchase with no subscriptions, no per‑seat charges, and no locked metrics. Software updates, cloud access, and unlimited athlete profiles are included.

For smaller clubs, private clinics, and independent practitioners, predictable cost and full data ownership are essential. This approach ensures that force‑plate testing remains accessible over the long term, without the financial burden of recurring fees.

Validation and What’s Included

PlateMate has been externally validated against AMTI plates—the academic gold standard—as well as MyJump and VALD ForceDecks. Each system includes the dual plates, all required cables, the ForceMate software, cloud access, a 45‑minute onboarding consultation, and a two‑year warranty.

The onboarding session is particularly valuable for practitioners new to force‑plate testing, helping them understand not only how to run tests but how to interpret the data in a meaningful way.

Final Thoughts

Force plates are not a replacement for coaching judgement—they enhance it. PlateMate’s strength lies in its practicality: fast setup, transparent data ownership, and a workflow designed for real‑world environments. For practitioners who want to integrate objective force measurement into their daily practice without unnecessary complexity or ongoing costs, it offers a straightforward and accessible solution.

Mathies Olsen is the Head of Marketing and Branding at CC Athletics. Mathies holds a degree in Marketing from Copenhagen Business School and brings a sharp eye for strategy and communication to the team. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he’s deeply passionate about performance, injury prevention, and user-friendly innovation.