A system (100) for dynamically testing a ground support element (102) for use in strata control in civil engineering and mining operations, the system including: a buffer (104); a frame (114) to be moved in a direction towards the buffer (104) from a first position, in which the frame (114) is spaced from the buffer (104), to a second position, in which the frame (114) is in contact with the buffer (104) so that movement of the frame (114) in the direction is at least slowed by the buffer (104), the frame (114) having an attachment portion (158) to be coupled to the element (102) so that the element (102) is movable with the frame (114); and a load mass (172) arranged for relative movement with respect to the frame (114) and operatively associated with the element (102) such that contact between the buffer (104) and the frame (114) causes the load mass (172) to move in the direction of movement relative to the frame (114) to load the element (102) thereby causing displacement of a portion of the element (102) in the direction of movement as the movement of the frame (114) is at least slowed, wherein the frame (114) has an end portion (148) to contact the buffer (104), with the load mass (172) spaced further from the buffer (104) in the direction of movement than the end portion (148), prior to contact between the end portion (148) and the buffer (104), such that the load mass (172) continues to move toward the buffer (104) in the direction of movement after the contact between the end portion (148) and the buffer (104).