A Functional Capacity Assessment  is comprehensive ‘task matching’ assessment which looks at the applicant’s physical capacity to undertake a set of physical tasks matched to the physical demands of the job. The assessment includes:

•    Posture: presence of scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis

•    Range of movement: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle

•    Strength: grip, pinch

•    Back fitness: lumbar, thoracic and abdominal strength

•    Bending / stooping: suitability to bend/stoop on occasional, frequent, or constant basis

•    Reaching: suitability to reach (forward and above shoulder) on an occasional, frequent, or constant basis

•    Squatting: suitability to squat on an occasional, frequent, or sustained basis

•    Manual handling: lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling to the candidate’s maximum capacity or to job requirements

•    Stability of joints and general flexibility

•    Cardiovascular fitness test – step test to assess VO2 Max