MANUAL MUSCLE TESTING
Manual muscle testing is a procedure performed as part of the evaluation process to determine the strength and function of individual muscles. Performed against gravitational force and manual resistance, an examiner can assess the performance of each muscle in a bilateral comparison. Remembering to stabilize above the proximal joint with one hand while applying pressure with the other hand is important. Below is the grading scale that is followed for this assessment.
Grading Scale Range: 0 to 5
No visible or palpable contraction when performed in a gravity eliminated position: 0
Visible or palpable contraction with no motion in a gravity eliminated position: 1
Full ROM when performed in a gravity eliminated position: 2
Full ROM against gravity: 3
Full ROM against gravity, when moderate resistance is applied: 4
Full ROM against gravity, when maximal resistance is applied: 5
The musculature of the knee/thigh region allow a person to perform knee flexion, extension, hip flexion, extension, and abduction/adduction of the femur.
Hip Flexion:
Gravity eliminated position- side-lying on the affected limb
Against gravity position- supine or hook-seated (depending on the muscle being tested)
Hip Extension:
Gravity eliminated position- side-lying on the affected limb
Against gravity position- prone with knee flexed or extended (depending on the muscle being tested)
Adduction:
Gravity eliminated position- supine
Against gravity position- side-lying on the affected limb
Abduction:
Gravity eliminated position- supine
Against gravity position- side-lying on the unaffected limb
Knee Flexion:
Gravity eliminated position- side-lying on the affected limb
Against gravity position- prone
Knee Extension:
Gravity eliminated position- side-lying on the affected limb
Against gravity position- hook-seated
Grading Scale Range: 0 to 5
No visible or palpable contraction when performed in a gravity eliminated position: 0
Visible or palpable contraction with no motion in a gravity eliminated position: 1
Full ROM when performed in a gravity eliminated position: 2
Full ROM against gravity: 3
Full ROM against gravity, when moderate resistance is applied: 4
Full ROM against gravity, when maximal resistance is applied: 5
The musculature of the knee/thigh region allow a person to perform knee flexion, extension, hip flexion, extension, and abduction/adduction of the femur.
Hip Flexion:
Gravity eliminated position- side-lying on the affected limb
Against gravity position- supine or hook-seated (depending on the muscle being tested)
Hip Extension:
Gravity eliminated position- side-lying on the affected limb
Against gravity position- prone with knee flexed or extended (depending on the muscle being tested)
Adduction:
Gravity eliminated position- supine
Against gravity position- side-lying on the affected limb
Abduction:
Gravity eliminated position- supine
Against gravity position- side-lying on the unaffected limb
Knee Flexion:
Gravity eliminated position- side-lying on the affected limb
Against gravity position- prone
Knee Extension:
Gravity eliminated position- side-lying on the affected limb
Against gravity position- hook-seated