The concurrent validity of the ERGOS Work Simulator and the Ergo-Kit with respect to maximum lifting capacity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity--as regarding maximum lifting capacity--between the Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) methods, ERGOS Work Simulator and Ergo-Kit. Twenty-five healthy, male firefighters participated. Dynamic lower and upper lifting capacities were determined using both FCE methods. Paired t tests showed the mean maximum lifting capacities to be significantly higher statistically when determined by the Ergo-Kit for lower, as well as, upper lifting. Spearman rank correlation coefficients varied between 0.49 and 0.66. It was concluded that the concurrent validity for lifting between both FCE methods was poor.