Affiliations: JobFit Systems International Pty Ltd, PO Box 8740, Mt
Pleasant, QLD 4740, Australia | School of Human Movement Studies, University of
Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia | Burgess-Limerick & Associates, 12 Ardoyne Road,
Corinda, QLD 4075, Australia
Abstract: Functional capacity testing in the pre-employment or post-offer
phase of recruitment is increasing in popularity as a preventative tool for
controlling sprains and strains in the workplace. The purpose of this study is
to determine the reliability of the JobFit System Pre-Employment Functional
Assessment (PEFA) as a whole, or in parts, as a precursor for a validity study
investigating the relationship between PEFA results and workplace injury rates
and severity. A group of 28 healthy male coal mine employees were videotaped
whilst they participated in a generic JobFit System Pre-Employment Functional
Assessment (PEFA) including tests of aerobic physical fitness, balance,
postural tolerances and material handling tolerances. Twenty participants
performed a second trial. The test component scores and overall PEFA scores
were compared between trials (test-retest, intra-rater) and assessors
(inter-rater) to determine their reliability expressed in terms of ICC. Using
an ICC score of > 0.75 as good and > 0.90
as excellent, in conjunction with percentage agreement a good to excellent
reliability rating was allocated to the overall PEFA score, floor to bench
lift, bench to overhead lift, bilateral carry and climbing. A moderate to good
rating was recorded for bench to shoulder lifts, reaching forward, reaching
overhead and stooping. A poor to moderate rating was recorded for squatting,
balance and fitness tests. Test-retest scores were typically lower than
intra-tester and inter-tester scores. ICC scores should be interpreted with
consideration of their limitations and in conjunction with the actual test
results.
