title: Intra- and interrater reliability of the Ergo-Kit functional capacity evaluation method in adults without musculoskeletal complaints.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the intra- and interrater reliability of tests from the Ergo-Kit (EK) functional capacity evaluation method in adults without musculoskeletal complaints.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within-subjects design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic medical center in The Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven subjects without musculoskeletal complaints (15 men, 12 women).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven EK tests (2 isometric, 3 dynamic lifting, 2 manipulation tests) were each assessed 3 times (over 4 days), twice by 1 rater (R1) and once by another rater (R2). Intrarater reliability was calculated using the EK test scores assessed by R1. Interrater reliability was calculated using the EK test scores assessed by both raters. Counterbalancing the rater order made possible the calculation of 2 interrater reliability levels (at time intervals of 4 and 8d). All reliability levels were expressed as intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intrarater and interrater reliability (8-d time interval) was high (ICC, >.80) for the isometric lifting tests, moderate (ICC range, .50-.80) for the dynamic lifting tests, and low (ICC, <.50) for the manipulation tests. The interrater reliability of the isometric and dynamic lifting tests (4-d time interval) was high (ICC, >.80), and it was moderate (ICC range, .50-.80) for both manipulation tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The isometric and dynamic lifting tests of the EK have a moderate to high level of reliability; the manipulation tests have a low level of reliability.
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. v.gouttebarge@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gouttebarge
authors.forename: Haije
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wind
authors.forename: P Paul
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Kuijer
authors.forename: Judith K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sluiter
authors.forename: Monique H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Frings-Dresen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation