Muscle testing

Question 1

Resisted Isometric Testing purpose

Answer 1

AKA: Selective tissue tensioning

To identify tissues involved in pathology, especially contractile vs non-contractile

Question 2

Resisted Isometric Testing position

Answer 2

Performed in the open-pack position

Limits forces placed on joint surfaces and non-contractile tissues

Question 3

MMT purpose

Answer 3

To provide an “objective” rating of muscle strength

Method of assessing muscle strength based on individual’s ability to move body part against gravity and withstand manual resistance

Question 4

MMT position

Answer 4

Performed in mid-range, against gravity

Question 5

how to perform Resisted Isometric Testing

Answer 5

Force applied opposite of motion being tested
E.g. If testing elbow flexion, apply a force into extension

Question 6

Resisted Isometric Testing grading

Answer 6

Strength: Strong or Weak
Can they resist some force
Pain: Painful or Painless

Need to grade force based on joint/motion being tested

Question 7

Manual Muscle Testing: break test

Answer 7

Examiner is attempting to “break” the patients contraction/muscle force to determine strength

opposite direction

Question 8

Manual Muscle Testing: one joint

Answer 8

Expect one joint muscles to
move the joint through the full ROM the muscle crosses
withstand strong external resistance at the end of completed motion

Question 9

MMT multi-joint muscles

Answer 9

Expect multi-joint muscles to not be able to move all joints they cross through their full ROM and still be able to withstand strong resistance at the end of motion

Active insufficiency - cannot not shorten across two joints and have full ROM

Question 10

Manual Muscle Testing how to prevent multiple joint issues

Answer 10

Prevent multi-joint muscles from over-shortening or over-lengthening

Do this by shortening over one joint and lengthening over the other
Trying to keep the muscle in the middle of its range

Question 11

MMT gravity

Answer 11

In gravity resisted position

Question 12

Gravity resisted (or antigravity) movements plane

Answer 12

upward in vertical plane

Question 13

Gravity assisted movements plane

Answer 13

downward in vertical plane

Question 14

Gravity minimized or reduced movements plane

Answer 14

in horizontal plane

like on a mat table

Question 15

MMT Substitution

Answer 15

Muscle or muscle group’s attempt to compensate for lack of function of weak or paralyzed muscle

Question 16

Muscles that normally act together may act in substitution with MMT sub

Answer 16

Fixating muscles
Antagonists
Other agonists

Question 17

do we use in + and _ in grading scale

Answer 17

no - leads to confusion and inaccuracy

Question 18

MMT fatigue

Answer 18

Does not account for fatigue

Question 19

Grades of 4 and 5 MMT

Answer 19

can significantly underestimate the presence of a strength deficit (particularly in young, physically active people)

Question 20

Isokinetic testing

Answer 20

moving through a ROM at certain speed

Question 21

Hand-held Dynamometry

Answer 21

Hand-held device that allows for objective measures of muscle strength/force

Greater reliability than MMT

Question 22

“Make” test

Answer 22

Examiner attempts to match the patient’s resistance