This guide provides general education and does not diagnose a condition or replace individual medical or physiotherapy assessment.
What is being assessed?
A functional capacity assessment examines how a person performs physical tasks relevant to daily life, rehabilitation or work. The scope depends on the referral question and may be a focused clinical assessment rather than a full-day standardised evaluation.
Possible assessment areas
- Walking, stairs and positional tolerance
- Lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling
- Reaching, gripping or upper-limb tasks
- Strength, mobility and endurance
- Response to repeated or sustained activity
Matching the test to the role
Useful testing reflects the essential demands of the job and the person’s current medical restrictions. The assessor may review a position description, suitable-duties plan or information from the worker and employer.
Safety and validity
Testing is progressed within clinically appropriate limits. Symptoms, movement quality, effort, consistency and recovery are considered alongside the amount of work completed. A single test result should not be interpreted without its clinical context.
Using the findings
Results may help identify current abilities, rehabilitation priorities and possible task progression. Work-capacity certification and claim decisions remain with the appropriate doctor, insurer and scheme participants.
Official links
Read the source for this topic.
Each link below opens the specific government or scheme page used for this guide.
Raby & Gledswood Hills