The Portable Warrior Test of Tactical Agility: A Novel Functional Assessment That Discriminates Service Members Diagnosed With Concussion From Controls.

This article focuses on the validation of the Portable Warrior Test of Tactical Agility (POWAR-TOTAL), a clinically feasible, military-specific functional assessment designed to evaluate return-to-duty (RTD) readiness in active-duty service members (ADSM) following concussion. The study compared 64 concussed ADSM with 60 healthy controls, finding significant differences in motor, cognitive, dual-task, and visual performance measures, supporting the test's discriminant and construct validity. POWAR-TOTAL performance correlated with the High-level Mobility Assessment Test (HiMAT) and was predictive of self-reported physical readiness to deploy. The assessment addresses limitations of prior concussion evaluations by incorporating complex, military-relevant tasks that challenge cognitive and motor abilities simultaneously, offering a practical tool for medical providers managing concussion rehabilitation in military populations.