The New Gold Standard: Rethinking Force and Ground Pressure in Sports Performance

In the world of sports science, few terms are more misunderstood than “force” and “pressure.” They’re related, but not interchangeable. Force is the total push or pull on an object. Ground pressure is how that force is distributed across an area. Understanding the difference is key to unlocking better performance data and better coaching.

For years, force plates have been considered the gold standard in measuring ground interaction. They’re precise and widely used in clinical and research settings to capture ground reaction forces. But they come with limitations. Force plates measure total force, but they don’t show how that force moves across the foot during a swing or stride. That’s where ground pressure technology takes the spotlight.

Ground pressure sensors, like what V1 Sports offers, capture a dynamic view of how an athlete’s feet interact with the ground in real time. They show pressure changes across different zones of the foot—heel, midfoot, forefoot—and track the direction and speed of pressure shifts throughout movement. This gives coaches a much clearer picture of how motion is created and transferred through the body.

Top instructors in golf are now using ground pressure sensors to complement video analysis and break down every phase of movement. Unlike force plates, these ground pressure sensors provide detailed segmentation and pressure-time curves, making it easier to see how performance patterns develop from the ground up.

Today, ground pressure technology is quickly becoming the new gold standard. It’s more practical, more insightful, and more accessible for coaches and athletes at every level. When combined with expert analysis and video tools, it delivers a complete, real-time picture of movement that helps players improve faster and smarter.

To learn more about using Ground Pressure Sensors to visualize ground force, pressure, and velocity through movement, click here.

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