Most people are told they’re “strong enough” without ever being tested.
At Light Joints Physiotherapy, we use objective muscle strength testing to identify hidden weaknesses and imbalances before they turn into pain, injury, or a loss of confidence with exercise.
Rather than relying on guesswork, strength testing provides clear, measurable data that allows rehabilitation and training to be tailored to your body, not a generic programme. This approach helps us guide rehab, performance, and return-to-sport decisions with confidence.
🔍 What is a muscle imbalance?
A muscle imbalance occurs when one muscle group or one side of the body is noticeably stronger or weaker than the other.
This may be:
left vs right side
front vs back (for example quadriceps vs hamstrings)
Everyone has a naturally dominant side. However, larger imbalances can change how you move. Over time, this can place extra load on joints, tendons and ligaments, increasing the likelihood of recurring aches, pain or injury.
⚠️ How do muscle imbalances develop?
Muscle imbalances usually develop gradually and often go unnoticed until symptoms appear.
Common contributing factors include:
daily habits such as desk work, driving, phone use and sleep position
sport and gym training, especially repeated one-sided movements like kicking, throwing or dominant-side lifting
previous injuries, such as ankle sprains or knee injuries, where one side remains weaker even after pain settles
Often the pain improves but the strength deficit remains.
🧠 Why does this matter?
Muscle imbalance may first show up as:
tightness or stiffness
recurring “niggles” in the same area
hesitation or lack of confidence under load
In the gym, this can appear as:
technique changes
one side “taking over”
difficulty progressing weight or repetitions
Research suggests that strength differences of more than around 10% between sides can affect movement quality and, in some sports, may increase injury risk.
These imbalances can reduce stability and control during movements such as:
squats
lunges
running
jumping
🏃 Muscle imbalance and running
In running, even small imbalances can have a cumulative effect.
An uneven stride means:
one leg does more work on every step
energy is wasted
efficiency is reduced
Over thousands of steps, this can limit pace or distance and increase stress on tissues, particularly in endurance, stop-start and change-of-direction sports.
🧪 How do we test your strength?
At Light Joints Physiotherapy, muscle strength is measured using a handheld dynamometer.
This is a small digital device that measures how much force a muscle produces in real time.
Strength testing with a handheld dynamometer:
is controlled and comfortable
does not require heavy gym equipment
provides accurate, repeatable data
Handheld dynamometry is recognised as a reliable and valid method for measuring muscle strength in clinical settings.
🎥 See muscle strength testing in action
Many people have never seen objective strength testing before.
In this short video, we show:
how handheld dynamometry works
what strength testing looks like in clinic
how left vs right strength is measured
how the results guide rehabilitation and training decisions
This gives you a clear idea of what to expect during your assessment.
❌ Why most people never have their strength properly tested
In many clinics, strength is assessed using:
observation
manual resistance (“push against my hand”)
assumptions based on pain levels
While these methods can be helpful, they don’t provide objective data.
At Light Joints Physiotherapy, we use digital strength testing so that:
progress is measurable
decisions are evidence-based
return-to-sport isn’t guesswork
This is especially important for active people, runners and gym users who want confidence, not just pain relief.
👥 Who is muscle strength testing useful for?
Strength testing is useful for a wide range of people, including:
Runners and endurance athletes
aiming to reduce injury risk or return confidently after a lay-off or recurring niggleStrength & conditioning athletes (including Hyrox and CrossFit)
wanting to identify weak links that limit performance or techniquePeople returning after surgery or injury
who want clarity on strength recovery, not just that pain has easedAnyone starting or progressing a gym programme
who wants reassurance that the body is balanced and ready for higher loads
🎯 What do we do with the results?
Your strength scores are used to build or refine a personalised rehab or training plan.
This turns a general exercise programme into something that is:
targeted
measurable
progressive
These scores act as baseline markers, so improvements can be tracked clearly over time rather than guessed.
If an imbalance is identified, your programme may include:
single-limb strengthening exercises
extra work for specific muscle groups
technique adjustments
changes to load or volume
As strength improves and the imbalance reduces, your plan is updated so you continue to progress safely and confidently.
💡 This isn’t just about injury, it’s about confidence
Many people book strength testing not because they’re injured, but because they want answers to questions like:
“Am I actually ready to increase training?”
“Why does one side always feel weaker?”
“Can I trust my body again?”
Objective strength data provides clarity and reassurance ,particularly when returning to running, lifting or sport.
🧭 Strength testing as part of physiotherapy
Strength testing at Light Joints Physiotherapy is not a standalone gimmick.
It is used to:
inform diagnosis
guide rehab progression
support return-to-sport decisions
reduce reinjury risk
It helps answer questions such as:
“Am I strong enough to return?”
“Why does this keep coming back?”
“Which side needs more work?”
📍 Book strength testing in Leeds & Bradford
Muscle strength testing is available as part of physiotherapy assessments at:
Rothwell, Leeds
Colton, Leeds
Greengates, Bradford
If you’re unsure whether strength testing is right for you, our team is happy to advise.
If you want clarity, confidence and a plan based on real data, not guesswork, muscle strength testing can help.