At SD Sports Physical Therapy, we’re always looking for the most advanced and effective ways to help our athletes recover and reach their peak performance. One of the cutting-edge tools we use is VALD technology — specifically the Force Frame and Force Plates — to evaluate and enhance athletic performance. We’ve seen remarkable results from our athletes using this technology, and one standout story is that of Brooklyn Draheim, a junior at Santana High School and one of the captains of the Lady Sultans volleyball team.

Brooklyn’s Story: From Injury to Excellence

Brooklyn Draheim is no stranger to high expectations. As the leading scorer for the Lady Sultans, she helped guide her team to an impressive Grossmont Valley League title, a runner-up finish in the CIF Division 3 Championship, and the program's first-ever win in the State Playoffs. Her on-court success didn’t stop there — Brooklyn was also named to the First Team All-League and earned Grossmont Valley Player of the Year honors.

However, her journey to becoming one of the top volleyball players in the region wasn’t without challenges. Like many athletes, Brooklyn faced an obstacle when a knee injury threatened to sideline her aspirations. The pain and discomfort in her knee were limiting her mobility, and she needed a way to recover effectively, restore her function, and regain her competitive edge.

That’s where SD Sports Physical Therapy and VALD technology came in.

How VALD Technology Helps with Recovery and Performance

At SD Sports Physical Therapy, we use VALD technology to provide a data-driven approach to physical rehabilitation and performance optimization. The Force Frame, one of the key tools in the VALD system, is used to evaluate strength, power, and movement deficits. It allows us to gather objective data on how an athlete’s muscles and joints are functioning — data that we can then use to tailor recovery and training programs specific to the athlete’s needs.

For Brooklyn, the Force Frame gave us crucial insights into her knee’s function, identifying both weaknesses and imbalances that were contributing to her discomfort and affecting her performance. With the Force Frame, we were able to conduct a series of tests to evaluate her lower-body strength, jump mechanics, and other key areas that are critical for volleyball players.

Data-Driven Recovery for a Fast Return to Play

One of the biggest advantages of using the VALD system is the ability to track an athlete’s progress over time. The data collected by the Force Frame can show us how Brooklyn’s knee was responding to her rehabilitation program, allowing us to adjust her treatment plan as needed. This kind of precise, real-time feedback helps prevent setbacks and ensures that athletes are recovering optimally.

For Brooklyn, the Force Frame helped highlight specific weaknesses in her knee and lower body strength, particularly in her quadriceps and hamstrings. These deficits were contributing to compensatory movements that could have put her at risk for further injury. By identifying these issues early, we were able to incorporate targeted strengthening exercises into her recovery plan, which helped restore her knee function and improve her overall movement patterns.

Gaining Confidence and Dominating the Court

Thanks to the data-driven insights provided by the VALD system, Brooklyn was able to recover faster and return to the volleyball court with renewed confidence. By addressing her knee’s performance deficits, she was able to regain her explosive power and agility, both of which are critical in volleyball. This allowed her to be a dominant force on the court again, ultimately helping her team achieve incredible success.

Brooklyn’s hard work and dedication paid off, not just in her recovery but also in her performance. Her ability to jump higher, move more efficiently, and stay injury-free during intense matches played a key role in the Lady Sultans’ remarkable season, culminating in their historic run to the CIF Championship and State Playoffs.

The Importance of Precision in Recovery

Brooklyn’s journey demonstrates just how powerful a combination of data and rehabilitation can be. By using the Force Frame and Force Plates, SD Sports Physical Therapy is able to provide athletes with the tools they need to recover from injuries, prevent future problems, and perform at their very best. This technology ensures that every recovery plan is tailored to an athlete’s specific needs, enabling them to return to sport stronger and more capable than ever before.

For Brooklyn, VALD technology didn’t just help her heal — it gave her the foundation to excel. Today, she continues to be a leader on the court, inspiring her teammates and demonstrating the power of precision training and rehabilitation.