Physical Performance Exams & Evaluations
A physical performance evaluation (PPE) may be requested by your referring physician as a stand-alone test or in conjunction with other services ordered to obtain a physical baseline to mark your progress. A physical demand assessment (PDA) may also be prescribed to determine the physical demands associated with the worker’s job. The PDA is a comprehensive assessment of the job tasks and includes quantification (weights, frequency, and duration) of all work tasks.
PPEs are used to test up to but not limited to:
- Maximal safe limits
- Standard criteria for postural deviations
PPEs are used to determine:
- Pain ratings
- Ability to perform tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling
- Participant self-assessment and rater agreement dynamic strength
- Signs of maximal effort (defined)
During PPEs:
- The heart rate is monitored throughout the procedure
- Client participation is rated by comparing willingness to continue with visual signs of maximal effort
The following exercises and movements are what the average patient will experience during a PPE:
Floor-to-waist lifting, stair climbing, repetitive squatting, waist-to-eye level lifting, bilateral carry, unilateral carry, pushing and pulling, position tolerance, sitting tolerance, standing tolerance, elevated work, lowered work, standing, kneeling, sitting, squatting, reclining reach, mobility, walking, crawling, ladder climbing, repetitive trunk rotation in standing, repetitive trunk rotation in sitting, balance, coordination, and finger to nose, as well as other movements, depending on your individual needs.