Manual Muscle Testing Quiz

In a gravity-resisted test for the lower trapezius, how is the patient positioned?

• Supine with the arm abducted to 90°

• Prone with the arm elevated above the head in a scapular plane

• Sitting with the arm resting on a table

• Standing with hands against a wall

How is resistance applied in a manual muscle test for the lower trapezius?

• Over the lateral border of the scapula in the direction of scapular elevation and abduction

• At the distal humerus in the direction of shoulder flexion

• Over the medial border of the scapula in the direction of adduction

• At the elbow in the direction of shoulder extension

Which manual muscle test grade is assigned when a muscle moves through its full range of motion against gravity but cannot tolerate resistance?

• Grade 1

• Grade 2

• Grade 3

• Grade 4

What is the correct patient position for testing the middle trapezius in a gravity-resisted test?

• Supine with arm flexed at 90°

• Prone with arm abducted to 90° and elbow flexed at 90°

• Sitting with arm at the side

• Standing with arm extended forward

During a gravity-eliminated test for the middle trapezius, what position should the patient be in?

• Sitting with arm abducted to 90° and supported on a smooth surface

• Supine with arm resting at the side

• Prone with arm abducted to 90°

• Standing with the arm against the wall

What movement should the patient perform to test the rhomboids in a gravity-resisted position?

• Push the arm forward against resistance

• Adduct and downwardly rotate the scapula with the hand behind the back

• Flex the shoulder to 90° and externally rotate

• Depress the scapula while extending the elbow

In a manual muscle test for serratus anterior, what is the command given to the patient?

• "Pull your shoulder blades together"

• "Push your arm forward as if reaching for the ceiling"

• "Lift your shoulder up toward your ear"

• "Turn your palm up and raise your arm"

How is the patient positioned in a gravity-eliminated test for serratus anterior?

• Supine with the arm flexed at 90°

• Sitting with the arm flexed to 90° and supported on a table

• Prone with the arm abducted

• Standing with arms extended forward

Which grade is assigned if a muscle shows a palpable contraction but no movement?

• Grade 0

• Grade 1

• Grade 2

• Grade 3

What is a sign of substitution during a rhomboid strength test?

• Shoulder elevation using upper trapezius

• Anterior tipping of the scapula due to pectoralis minor activation

• Scapular winging due to serratus anterior weakness

• All of the above