Week 4 - Manual Muscle Testing Flashcards
The assessment of strength by a physical therapist can be done though ___.
Manual Muscle Testing
Where is Muscle Performance listed in the guide to physical therapist practice?
Test & Measurements
What does muscle performance include the assessment of?
Strength, Endurance, & Speed (or Power)
What is Strength?
Measureable force exerted by a muscle or group of muscles to overcome resistance in one maximal effort.
What is Endurance?
Ability to contract a muscle repeatedly over a period of time.
What is Power?
Work produced by the muscle per unit of time
What is the product of both ____ and ____.
What is the product of both Speed and Strength
Manual Muscle Testing focuses on this component of performance.
Strength
What are the 3 definitions of Muscle Strength?
- Ability to develop tension or torque.
- Force generated over a single unlimited episode against an immovable object.
- The maximal force a muscle or muscle group can generate at a specified or determined velocity.
What are the 3 primary approaches to determining muscle strength?
- Isotonic
- Isokinetic
- Isometric
What is an isotonic contraction traditionally defined as?
testing of strength using a constant external resistance.
What does isotonic actually refer to?
“constant” muscle tension which rarely occurs in muscle
Because isotonic rarely occurs, what do we usually refer to the type of contraction as well as strength the muscle is generating during the activity?
Concentric vs. Eccentric
What is Concentric contraction?
Shortening contraction of the muscle
What is Eccentric contraction?
Lengthening contraction of the muscle
What do we usually use to assess the concentric and eccentric strength of the muscle?
Free Weights or Resistance Machines
Traditionally, how is strength assessed?
Using a 1 repetition max
What is use besides a 1 rep max and why?
Because 1 rep max could be detrimental to subject, usually MULTIPLE REPS are used to determine the MAX weight a subject can lift or move.
What is the most common number multiple repetition max used today?
3 repetition
In general, when using free weights or resistance machines to assess concentric or eccentric contraction, are we assessing the gross strength of muscle groups or the strength of individual muscles?
The gross strength of muscle groups (even though with certain patients we will be interested in the strength of specific muscles)
When did isokinetics become developed?
1960’s with introduction of isokinetic dynamometer
What does an isokinetic dynamometer allow measurement of?
Strength by having subject provide resistance through the ROM at a constant velocity
What does an isokinetic dynamometer provide?
“Peak Torque” values at specific points or throughout full ROM.
Are reliability of isokinetic dynamometer low or high?
High if test protocols are followed precisely.