Assessment Project and Instrument
1. Problem: To measure the level of activity that can be performed post-injury to the lower
extremity.
2. Refining the Problem: The rating scale I am working on is used for return to play decisions
specific for lower extremity injuries. Lower extremity injuries include; ankle and knee sprains,
muscle strains to the quadriceps, hamstrings, or muscles of the ankle, and foot. My target group
to use this functional test would be high school athlete, and college level athletes with lower
extremity injuries.
3. Once an injury occurs this test would be used to decide when an athlete of these levels, both
males and females, can return to full activity, or less than as their injury heals. These tests would
be performed post injury, but before the athlete would be allowed to complete any type of sport
specific activity at practice. Specifically this test is used for clearance to play again and grading
to see how far they have advanced since the injury to date of clearance.
4. Emphasis is placed on motor function skills, and muscle strength for this rating scale. Those
skills are necessary for an athlete to be considered to return to play, and need to be assessed
before they begin to compete again.
5. Instrumentation and Methodology: The rating scale is measured on a 0 through 5 with 0 being
not able to perform ability, and 5 having obtained 100% of the ability necessary to perform that
activity. Here is the scale in full : 0: cannot perform activity, 1: attempts to perform activity, 2:
able to perform 25% of ability, 3: 50% of ability, 4: 75% of ability, and 5: 100% of ability. Also
included is a rating scale for what level the athlete can return to play specifically. The ratings for
this are as follows; No Activity, Limited Activity – jogging, some sports specific work,
Moderate Activity – no contact, and Full Return to Activity.
6. This test can be performed inside of out, all you need is a little extra space that is clutter free.
Cones may help with cutting and jumping drills, other than that no other equipment is really
necessary to complete this test. This test needs no time to set up and can be completed in about
10 to 15 minutes. The examiner must be knowledgeable of the activities that need to be
performed in order for the athlete to receive as proper return to play rating.
7. Analysis of Results: The results of the rating scale would in the end help the examiner come to a
decision on whether or not the athlete can return. This is formative, so even if the most ratings
are higher, if a specific activity brings back a low rating the athlete can be limited to how much
activity they can perform at practice. Return to play decisions based on the rating scale are
completely up to the examiner administering the test. If they feel it is necessary to keep someone
from playing, it is their decision and responsibility to do so.
Article Used for Assistance
Name: ___________________________
Sport:________________________
Date Assessed: ____________________
Grade:_______________________
Functional Test used for Lower Extremity Injuries Return to Play Decisions
Functional Test
Score
Why?
Sprinting
Stopping
Cutting
Side Stepping
Karaoke
Jumping/Hopping
Balance
Sport Specific Activity*
Dribbling, Holding Stance, Stick
Work, Sliding
Scores from 0 to 5
012345-
Cannot be performed
Attempts to perform
Able to perform 25%
Able to perform 50%
Able to perform 75%
Full ability to perform
The why portion of the chart is subjective
to your thoughts and the athletes
performance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Activity Level
Allowed to Return
to:
No Activity
Limited Activity
-jogging, some
sport specific work
Moderate Activity
-not able to
participate in full
contact
Full Return to
Activity
** Final Return to Play decision is based on personal discretion. If you feel the athlete is not prepared based on
the scores they received during the functional test than it is your responsibility to hold, or limit their amount of
participation until they are fully prepared to do so. If they were referred to a doctor and must be cleared before
they can participate then that must be done before functional test can be performed as well **