Why Performance Testing Matters for Health, Longevity, and Injury Prevention
What Peter Attia and Andy Galpin Teach Us About Measuring What Matters
At AOK Physical Therapy, we don’t just help you recover from pain—we help you perform, prevent injury, and invest in your future self. That means testing how your body moves today, so you can keep doing what you love for decades to come.
We use a performance testing battery rooted in the science of movement, strength, and muscle physiology. This isn’t just PT—this is your healthspan strategy.
The Problem: We Train Without Measuring
Most athletes track things like pace, volume, or weight lifted. But those don’t tell you how well your body is functioning under the hood. Dr. Peter Attia reminds us that what gets measured gets managed. Without regular testing, it’s easy to overtrain weak links or miss critical deficits that lead to injury.
And as Dr. Andy Galpin emphasizes, performance isn’t just about how strong or fit you feel—it's about being strong across multiple domains, including force production, balance, control, and endurance.
The Solution: A Science-Based Performance Battery
Our testing battery evaluates your body’s capacity across four pillars:
1. Strength & Power
Why it matters: As you age, strength is one of the strongest predictors of independence and injury risk. According to Attia, muscle mass and functional strength are vital for longevity—and start declining in your 30s if you don’t actively train them.
What we test:
Max isometric strength (quads, hamstrings, grip)
Countermovement jump (power output)
Step-down control (hip and knee mechanics under load)
These tests help identify whether you’re training enough to preserve and build strength—especially in single-leg positions where compensations often show up first.
2. Balance & Neuromuscular Control
Why it matters: Falls aren’t just a concern for older adults—they’re a performance problem. According to Galpin, balance and motor control are essential skills that influence everything from running gait to injury risk under fatigue.
What we test:
Y Balance Test (evidence-based, predictive of injury risk)
Single-leg hop for distance
Side plank and core asymmetry assessments
If you can’t control movement on one leg, you’re likely compensating somewhere. And if you don’t test it—you won’t catch it until it causes pain.
3. Mobility & Joint Health
Why it matters: Mobility isn’t about being flexible—it’s about being able to access strength through your full range of motion. When you lose mobility, you force other joints to do more work, leading to common overuse injuries.
What we test:
Hip flexor and hamstring length
Shoulder overhead reach and thoracic rotation
Functional mobility screens (like climber hang or runner lunge)
Attia stresses the importance of maintaining range of motion you can actually use under control—and our mobility metrics make sure you’re not skipping that piece.
4. Muscular Endurance
Why it matters: Endurance isn’t just about cardio. Your muscles need to sustain force over time—especially if you’re a climber, runner, or lifter. This is one of the key domains Galpin identifies for true athletic capacity.
What we test:
Wall sit hold time
Side and front plank endurance
Hang test (especially relevant for climbers)
These tests help spot local fatigue and motor control breakdowns that often show up in longer workouts or races—and help prevent burnout and overtraining.
Why This Data Helps You Stay Injury-Free
Most injuries don’t happen because of one big event. They happen when your body gradually compensates for a lack of strength, mobility, or control. Our testing process lets us identify those weak spots before they lead to setbacks.
You’ll walk away with:
A performance profile tailored to your body and sport
Clear data on how you compare to evidence-based norms
A targeted plan to improve weak links and build resilience
The Long Game: Performance Now, Longevity Later
This type of testing isn’t just about sport—it's about building a body that will still let you do the things you love when you're 60, 70, or 80. That’s the message from Attia: train today with the future in mind.
Our job is to help you move well now, so you can keep climbing, running, lifting, and playing for the long haul.
Ready to Test?
We offer performance assessments at both AOK PT locations inside Austin Bouldering Project. Whether you're returning from an injury or just want a proactive plan to support your training, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Book your session today or schedule a discovery call to learn more.