Context: Functional performance testing of athletes can determine physical limitations that may affect sporting activities. Optimal functional performance testing simulates the athlete's activity.
Evidence acquisition: A Medline search from 1960 to 2012 was implemented with the keywords functional testing, functional impairment testing, and functional performance testing in the English language. Each author also undertook independent searches of article references.
Conclusion: Functional performance tests can bridge the gap between general physical tests and full, unrestricted athletic activity.
Keywords: functional performance tests; physical performance; power.