Development of Reference Values for the Functional Mobility Assessment

Purpose: To obtain reference values for healthy participants performing the Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA). The FMA is a reliable and valid tool used to examine functional abilities subjectively and objectively in patients with lower-extremity sarcoma in all components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model (body function, activity, and participation). Methods: Children, adolescents, and young adults who were healthy, representing a sample of convenience (n = 503; 260 females, age 10-21 years), participated in this study. Results: Means and standard deviations for all participants: Timed Up and Down Stairs 6.18 +/- 0.8 seconds, Timed Up and Go 3.78 +/- 0.6 seconds, 9-minute run/walk 4161 +/- 893 feet, and the FMA total 59 +/- 3. Conclusion: The reference values provided in this study will allow health care professionals to compare the functional abilities of children, adolescents, and young adults with lower extremity sarcoma to age-and gender-matched healthy peers when using the FMA. (Pediatr Phys Ther 2012; 24: 224-231)