Validity of Impairment and Functional Limitation Measures as Indicators and Predictors of Disability following Acute Ankle Sprains among Athletes,
Abstract
This study considers the validity of measures commonly employed to assess disability and predict treatment outcome within sports rehabilitation research and practice. The concept of disability is developed using a model adopted by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science. Using this model, examples of treatment outcome measures taken from the sports medicine literature are classified into groups representing 4 domains of disablement: pathology, impairment, functional limitation, and disability. The relationships observed when this conceptual model is applied to examples chosen from the sports medicine literature support the theory that the effects of organic dysfunction on disability outcomes are mediated by behavioral factors. However, these observations are based on bivariate correlations between measures taken several years following knee injuries. Additional evidence concerning the construct, criterion-referenced, and evaluative validity of measures is required to determine whether this measurement theory may be more generally applied to sports rehabilitation practice and research. To compare the usefulness of impairment and functional limitation measures in a sports medicine setting, 21 collegiate athletes were measured at 3 and 10 days post Grade I or II ankle sprain. Ankle pain, swelling, and range of motion were used as impairment indicators. Motor activity scores and a perceived athletic ability measure were used to indicate functional limitation. The number of days of athletic participation lost due to injury (mean = 11.9 + 6.6 days) was used as the criterion measure of disability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA294638
Entities
People
- Rick W. Wilson
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology