Manual Muscle Testing

Question 1

Shoulder Flexion

Answer 1

Prime mover: Anterior Deltoid

Starting position: Shoulder at 90° of flexion
Stabilizing hand: On top of shoulder
Resisting hand: Proximal to the elbow

Gravity eliminated: Side lying

Question 2

Shoulder Extension

Answer 2

Prime mover: Posterior deltoid OR Latissimus dorsi

Starting position: Shoulder is extended
Stabilizing hand: On top of the shoulder
Resisting hand: Proximal to the elbow

Gravity eliminated: Side lying

Question 3

Shoulder Abduction

Answer 3

Prime mover: Medial deltoid

Starting position: Shoulder at 90° of abduction
Stabilizing hand: On top of the shoulder
Resisting hand: Proximal to the elbow

Gravity eliminated: Supine

Question 4

Shoulder Horizontal Abduction

Answer 4

Prime mover: Posterior deltoid

Starting position: Shoulder at 90° of flexion
Stabilizing hand: On top of the shoulder
Resisting hand: Proximal to the elbow

Gravity eliminated: Tabletop, on a supported surface

Question 5

Shoulder Horizontal Adduction

Answer 5

Prime mover: Pectoralis major

Starting position: Shoulder at 90° of flexion
Stabilizing hand: On top of the shoulder
Resisting hand: Proximal to the elbow

Gravity eliminated: tabletop

Question 6

Shoulder Internal Rotation

Answer 6

Prime mover: Pectoralis major OR Latissimus dorsi

Starting position: Shoulder at 90° of adduction and elbow at 90° of flexion
Stabilizing hand: On the elbow
Resisting hand: Proximal to the wrist

Gravity eliminated: Side lying

Question 7

Shoulder External Rotation

Answer 7

Prime mover: Infraspinatus

Starting position: Shoulder at 90° of adduction and elbow at 90° of flexion
Stabilizing hand: On the elbow
Resisting hand: Proximal to the wrist

Gravity eliminated: Side lying

Question 8

Elbow Flexion

Answer 8

Prime mover: Biceps brachii

Starting position: Shoulder at 90° of flexion and elbow at 90° of flexion
Stabilizing hand: On the elbow or on top of the shoulder
Resisting hand: Proximal to the wrist

Gravity eliminated: Side lying

Question 9

Elbow Extension

Answer 9

Prime mover: Triceps brachii

Starting position: Shoulder at 90° of flexion and elbow at 90° of flexion
Stabilizing hand: On the elbow or top of the shoulder
Resisting hand: Proximal to the wrist

Gravity eliminated: Side lying

Question 10

Wrist Flexion

Answer 10

Prime mover: Flexor carpi radialis (name any in flexor group)

Starting position: Elbow at 90° of flexion, forearm supinated, wrist in neutral position making a fist with the hand
Stabilizing hand: On the wrist
Resisting hand: Distal to the wrist

Gravity eliminated: Tabletop

Question 11

Wrist Extension

Answer 11

Prime mover: Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (name any in extensor group)

Starting position: Elbow at 90° of flexion, forearm supinated, wrist in neutral position making a fist with the hand
Stabilizing hand: On the wrist
Resisting hand: Distal to the wrist

Gravity eliminated: Tabletop