A TEST TO MEASURE LIFT CAPACITY OF PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED ADULTS .1. DEVELOPMENT AND RELIABILITY TESTING

Study Design. Two laboratory studies and one field study evaluated the safety and test-retest reliability of a new test of lift capacity. The first two studies were conducted in a carefully controlled laboratory setting. The first study investigated the safety and intra-rater reliability of the EPIC Lift Capacity test protocol with healthy adult subjects. The second study assessed the safety and inter-rater reliability of the test with disabled subjects. The third study was conducted in the field with 65 evaluators and investigated the safety and intra-rater reliability of the test with healthy adult subjects. Objective. To assess the safety and reliability of a new test of lift capacity. Summary of Background Data. A new test of lift capacity has been developed. Test development occurred within the context of ergonomic standards and guidelines of the major professional associations and public agencies that govern test development in the United States. Methods. In study no. 1, 26 healthy subjects participated. In study no, 2, 14 disabled subjects participated. In study no. 3,318 healthy subjects participated. After subjects underwent basic screening and warm-up, the EPIC Lift Capacity test was administered. One to 2 weeks later, the test was administered again. Correlations between the times of testing were calculated. Results, No subjects were injured. Hamstring soreness the next day that resolved without complication was reported by some healthy subjects. None of the disabled subjects reported new symptoms. Conclusion. The safety and reliability of the EPIC Lift Capacity test was adequately demonstrated in a laboratory setting and across multiple field sites with evaluators who have varying types and degrees of professional preparation.