What are the components of a functional capacity evaluation?

Components of a functional capacity evaluation include an intake interview to determine medical history, a musculoskeletal evaluation, a battery of motion-related tests, evaluations of specific job-related tasks and psychological testing. In addition to these tests, the evaluator often monitors how much pain the subject experiences during testing.

Motion-related testing often includes material handling activities such as picking up and moving objects; non-material handling activities such as sitting, standing, crouching, reaching and climbing; physical demand testing; and conditioning activities such as running on a treadmill.

Employers, doctors, physical therapists and attorneys often use information provided by these evaluations in the case of injury or disability to determine work readiness and financial settlements.