Manual Muscle Test Grades

Question 1

Normal/5

Answer 1

Patient takes MAX resistance through full ROM against gravity; can’t break at end of range

Question 2

Good Plus/4+

Answer 2

Patients takes NEAR-MAX resistance through full ROM against gravity; can break at end of range

Question 3

Good/4

Answer 3

Patient takes strong-moderately high resistance through full ROM against gravity; can break at end of range

Question 4

Good Minus/4-

Answer 4

Patient takes low moderate resistance through full ROM against gravity; can be broken at end of range

Question 5

Fair Plus/ 3+

Answer 5

Patient can complete full ROM against gravity; can hold end position against mild resistance

Question 6

Fair/3

Answer 6

Patient can actively complete ROM against gravity; can’t take any resistance through/at end of range

Question 7

Fair minus/3-

Answer 7

Patient can actively complete at least 1/2 the ROM against gravity, cannot take any resistance through/at end of range

Question 8

Poor Plus/2+

Answer 8

Patient can complete ROM and take some resistance in Gravity-MINIMIZED position. For PF this grade is used when the can complete partial heel raise, and in NWB, they can take MAX resistance and complete full available ROM

Question 9

Poor/2

Answer 9

Can complete full ROM in Gravity-Minimized Position; can’t take any resistance

Question 10

Poor Minus/2-

Answer 10

Patient can actively complete at least 1/2 the ROM in Gravity-Minimized position; can’t complete the range

Question 11

Trace Plus/1+

Answer 11

Can produce minimal motion

Question 12

Trace/1

Answer 12

No motion, but contraction is detected visually or by palpation

Question 13

Zero/0

Answer 13

Can’t produce any contraction