Age and gender normative data for lift capacity.
Matheson LN1, Verna J2, Dreisinger TE3, Leggett S3, Mayer J4.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) are routinely used in physical medicine to ascertain an individual’s work ability; with lift capacity being an important aspect of many evaluations. Despite the widespread use of lift capacity tests, there are few studies that provide age and gender normative data.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the safety, reliability, and validity of the EPIC Lift Capacity test, and to examine the effects of age and gender on lift capacity.
METHODS:
This study used a test-retest design with 4,443 adult participants in good general health. Test-retest of participants’ lift capacity was undertaken to examine safety and reliability. Age and gender and the self-reported physical demands of each employed participant’s usual and customary job were collected to examine validity.
RESULTS:
Safety and reliability were demonstrated for both measures of lift capacity for each of the six sub-tests in the EPIC Lift Capacity test battery. Inter-subtest differences and expected age and gender differences were found across
all subtests.
CONCLUSIONS:
The EPIC Lift Capacity test is a safe and reliable test of lift capacity. Normative data are presented that allow comparison within age and gender categories.
KEYWORDS:
Functional Capacity Evaluation; normal values; norms; test reliability; test safety