An FCE may include various components, such as:
1. Health History and Interview: The FCE professional gathers information about the individual's medical history, current symptoms, limitations, and functional goals.
2. Physical Performance Tests: The individual performs a series of tests to assess their physical abilities, including:
- Strength testing: Measuring the individual's muscle strength in different muscle groups.
- Range of motion testing: Assessing the range of motion in different joints.
- Flexibility testing: Determining the individual's flexibility in different areas of the body.
- Cardiovascular endurance testing: Evaluating the individual's ability to engage in sustained physical activity.
- Functional tests: Observing the individual performing specific tasks or activities that simulate their job or daily life activities.
3. Job Demands Analysis: The FCE professional analyzes the physical demands of the individual's job or activity, considering factors such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, kneeling, squatting, and climbing.
4. Functional Job Analysis: This involves breaking down the job into its essential tasks and evaluating the individual's ability to perform those tasks safely and efficiently.
5. Data Analysis and Interpretation: The FCE professional reviews the data collected from the tests and observations and provides an analysis of the individual's functional abilities and limitations.
6. Report and Recommendations: A comprehensive report is prepared that summarizes the findings of the FCE, including the individual's strengths, limitations, and any recommendations for modifications or restrictions in their work or daily activities.
An FCE helps determine an individual's ability to perform their job or activity safely and efficiently and can guide recommendations for accommodations or modifications that may be necessary to facilitate their return to work or participation in daily activities. It also provides valuable information for rehabilitation programs and treatment plans, as it identifies specific areas where improvements can be made to enhance functional abilities.