Introducing the Change of Direction (COD) Force Plate Lab

Understanding Cutting Movements. How quickly did an athlete change direction? And just as importantly: how did they generate that change in momentum? Those are two very different questions, and our new Change of Direction (COD) Force Plate Lab helps you answer both. A Ready-to-Use Educational Module We are excited to introduce the COD Force Plate Lab—a hands-on, ready-to-use module dedicated to measuring and understanding cutting movements using 3D force plates and Noraxon MR software. What You Can Do With It:. Phase Breakdown: Break down every cut into critical phases: initial contact, braking, redirection, and propulsion., Precise Measurement: Measure ground contact time, peak forces, and both braking and mediolateral impulse., Symmetry Analysis: Compare right- and left-leg plant strategies to accurately quantify interlimb differences., Synchronized Video: Pair objective force data with synchronized video to connect the athlete's visual movement strategy to their underlying force patterns., Advanced EMG Integration: Go further with the optional advanced module, which adds synchronized electromyography (EMG) to examine pre-contact muscle activation. Everything You Need is Included. The lab package is designed for immediate implementation. It includes step-by-step setup and collection instructions, a comprehensive guided workbook complete with data tables and discussion questions, and a final challenge that ties all the concepts together.