Affiliations: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
School of Allied Health Professions, Program in Physical Therapy, Shreveport,
LA, USA | Tri-State OCCFIT Physical Therapy Inc., Shreveport,
LA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: LSUHSC, School of Allied Health
Professions, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Program in Physical
Therapy, c/o Marie Vazquez Morgan PT PhD, 1450 Claiborne Ave, Shreveport, LA
71130, USA. Tel.: +1 318 813 2944; E-mail: mvazqu@lsuhsc.edu
Abstract: Objective:Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) have been utilized
by healthcare professionals for over twenty years to provide an objective
assessment of an individual's ability to safely perform functional work
activities. Biomechanical observations have been established as a reliable
method of determining safe maximal performance levels during dynamic lift
testing in FCEs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate heart rate (HR)
responses between participants in two performance levels (biomechanical
safe-maximal and sub-maximal) and to attempt to establish a minimum threshold
for HR changes that should be expected during specific functional testing
protocols within FCEs. Participants: Participants included 500 men and
women aged 20 to 85 years whom were injured on the job. Methods: Variables measured included resting HR, pre-test HR, peak-HR, and resting blood
pressure. Percent HR change was calculated for the safe-maximal and sub-maximal
performance level groups. Results: Statistically significant differences
(p=0.0000000306) were found in HR change from pre-test to peak HR between
performance level groups. Conclusions: Statistically significant
differences were found in percent change in pre-test to peak HR, between the
safe-maximal and sub-maximal performance level groups. This study
provides the foundation for further research in establishing appropriate
minimum expected changes in HR during FCE testing allowing clinicians to make
more confident judgments relative to performance level.
